Until you enter the sixth form, your education will probably have been relatively broad, its main purpose being to equip you with a wide variety of skills and knowledge. Increasingly, education is focused on exam results which means that the emphasis is on  academic, rather than social or personal skills.

Your education at the age of 16 and beyond is primarily a preparation for university or a job. Exams are clearly still important to most students but they are a means to an end rather than simply achievements in themselves. Courses taken at this stage, whether they be A levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma or vocational qualifications, are all about preparation for the next stage of your life. The decision as to which subjects and courses are taken, a decision which is often made a year before, must be made with care. Doors can be opened or closed at this point so not only your place of study but also your course should be carefully considered. If you are unsure of what you wish to study at university, or as to your future career, then pick the subjects you enjoy and try to keep your options wide by selecting a variety of subjects. Education at this stage is all about giving yourself the best chance.

As such, your  personal development becomes much more important. Now is the time to fine-tune those skills and attributes which will feature on your personal statement and CV: leadership, motivation, organisation, independent working, team working, communication amongst others.

Many schools, particularly independent schools and tutorial colleges, are extremely well-equipped to help you in this preparation stage. With smaller pupil numbers they are able to provide the careers support and advice you need, especially with regards to UCAS applications and practice interview techniques. They tend to take an holistic approach, realising that time and resources need to be dedicated to help develop personal and social skills and talents, thus they tend to provide a wide variety of extracurricular activities and chances to develop leadership skills.

Education@16 is a guide to over 1800 schools and colleges throughout the UK. Designed to provide as much helpful information as possible, it includes details on the full range of educational institutions (including independent and maintained sixth form colleges and colleges of further education) and information on educational associations and the range of curriculum options available (including the IB, AS/A2 levels, AEAs and VCEs).

Articles in our editorial section explain the roles of BAC and CIFE in accrediting and inspecting colleges; detail the steps to take if you are interested in having a gap-year after sixth form; explain the options available to you should you decide to take a vocational route; discuss the diference between the IB Diploma and A levels; and consider the financial implications of an independent education at sixth form.

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