Part of the
Castleford College
Selby College
Wakefield College

School Leavers

Are you a young person who is about to leave, or has recently left school?

At Wakefield College our ethos has always been about providing a well-rounded education for our students based on their individual choices, capabilities and aspirations – ensuring that they can reach their full potential and achieve their future ambitions.

We’re the largest education provider in the local area and we offer a huge choice of academic and vocational courses at a range of levels, so there’s sure to be one that’s right for you. Our modern facilities, excellent support services, and knowledgeable teaching staff are there because we want you to have the best College experience possible.

Which path will you take?

Sixth Form

Our Sixth Form provides a stepping stone between school and university.

T Levels

T Levels combine classroom theory, practical learning and an industry placement.

Vocational Courses

If you have a specific career in mind, or prefer practical ways of learning.

Apprenticeships

Combine on-the-job training in the workplace with an employer and study at College.

Foundation Learning

A mix of vocational study, tasters and English and maths.

Careers Explorer

Find a job by sector or find careers based on your interests.

Study Programme

Support

You’ll have personal and group tutorials (called Goals) with your tutors, as well as further support from our highly skilled and dedicated team as needed.

Study Programme

Work Experience Placements

Every student at College has the opportunity to undertake meaningful work experience activities during their time at College.

Study Programme

NAVIGATE

Activities and experiences to develop skills through trips, visits, guest speakers, volunteering, enrichment, clubs and societies.

Study Programme

English & Maths

You’ll continue to study English and maths until you achieve a GCSE 9-4. This will be timetabled to fit in alongside your course.

School Leaver Courses

  • Alternative Provisions
  • Animal Care
  • Art, Design & Photography
  • Business & Management
  • Childcare, Early Years & Childhood Studies
  • Computing
  • Construction
  • Digital Industries
  • ESOL
  • English & Humanities
  • Film, Media & Television
  • Foundation Learning
  • Health, Social Care & Wellbeing
  • Horticulture
  • Hospitality & Catering
  • Maths & Science
  • Music
  • Other
  • Performing Arts
  • Public Services
  • Social Sciences
  • Sport
  • Travel & Tourism

Alternative Curriculum

Start Date: September, October or January

The King’s Trust Team Programme - Certificate in Employment, Teamwork and Community Skills

Start Date: September, January or May

Level 1 Introduction to Animal Care

Start Date: September

Level 2 Practical Animal Care

Start Date: September

Level 2 Technical Diploma Animal Care

Start Date: September

Level 3 Practical Animal Care

Start Date: September

Level 3 Technical Animal Management

Start Date: September

A Level Art, Craft & Design

Start Date: September

A Level Photography

Start Date: September

Level 1 Art, Design & Media

Start Date: September

Level 2 Art & Design

Start Date: September

Level 3 Art & Design

Start Date: September

Level 3 Art & Design (Textiles, Fashion, Surface Design)

Start Date: September

Level 3 Creative Photography

Start Date: September

Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

Start Date: September

Level 3 Graphic Design

Start Date: September

A Level Accounting

Start Date: September

A Level Business

Start Date: September

A Level Economics

Start Date: September

Level 2 Business

Start Date: September

Level 3 Business

Start Date: September

T Level Business (Management & Administration)

Start Date: September

Entry 3 Computing & IT

Start Date: September

Level 1 Computing & Digital Design

Start Date: September

Level 2 Computing & IT

Start Date: September

T Level Digital Software Development

Start Date: September

T Level Digital Support and Security

Start Date: September

A Level English Language

Start Date: September

A Level English Literature

Start Date: September

A Level Geography

Start Date: September

A Level History

Start Date: September

A Level Law

Start Date: September

A Level Film Studies

Start Date: September

A Level Media Studies

Start Date: September

Level 1 Creative Media, Film & TV

Start Date: September

Level 2 Creative Media, Film & TV

Start Date: September

Level 3 Creative Media, Film & TV

Start Date: September

AAQ in Health and Social Care

Start Date: September

Level 1 Foundations of Health and Childcare

Start Date: September 2026

Level 1 Health & Social Care

Start Date: September

Level 2 Health & Social Care

Start Date: September

Level 3 Technical Social Care

Start Date: September

T Level Health

Start Date: September

Level 1 Practical Horticulture Skills

Start Date: September

Level 2 Practical Horticulture

Start Date: September

A Level Biology

Start Date: 2 years

A Level Chemistry

Start Date: September

A Level Mathematics

Start Date: September

A Level Physics

Start Date: September

AAQ in Applied Science

Start Date: September 2026

AAQ in Medical Science

Start Date: September

Level 2 Applied Science

Start Date: September

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Start Date: September

A Level Psychology

Start Date: September

A Level Sociology

Start Date: September

Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Criminology

Start Date: September

Level 3 Extended Certificate in Applied Psychology

Start Date: September

Athlete Development Programme

Start Date: September

Football Development Programme

Level 1 Introduction to Sport & Public Services

Start Date: September

Level 2 Sport

Start Date: September

Level 3 Sport

Start Date: September

Level 3 Sport & Exercise Sciences

Start Date: September

Rugby Development Programme

Start Date: September

Level 1 Travel & Tourism (Vocational Studies)

Start Date: September

Level 2 Air Cabin Crew

Start Date: September

Level 2 Travel & Tourism

Start Date: September

Level 3 Travel & Tourism

Start Date: September

Wakefield College Facilities

The Harrison Building

The Harrison Building is home to the Sixth Form at Wakefield College, as well as Student Central and our library.

Wakefield College Facilities

The Beaumont Building

The Beaumont Building is home to the award-winning Gaskell’s Restaurant where Hospitality & Catering students can cook up a storm. Beaumont is also the home of our Flex Suite and our amazing Reading Room.

Wakefield College Facilities

The Radcliffe Building

The Radcliffe Building houses state-of-the-art facilities for Digital Industries, Science, Animal Care, Travel & Tourism, Public Services, Sports, Health & Social Care and Art.

Wakefield College Facilities

The Gissing Building

The Gissing Building provides the latest facilities and equipment for the Creative Industries Centre and our School of Popular Music.

Wakefield College Facilities

The Seacole Building

The Seacole Building is the home of our University Centre, which offers a range of degree-level programmes in Business, Childcare, Computing and more.

Wakefield College Facilities

Lightwaves

Work up a sweat in our extensive facilities for Sports students, including a gym, fitness testing lab, therapy and massage suite and pitches.

Wakefield College Facilities

Waterton Building

Showcase your talents in the Waterton Building, home to our 160-seat Mechanics’ Theatre, studios, rehearsal rooms and backstage workshop for constructing the perfect stage set.

School Leaver Prospectus

Meet Our Students

Photo of Ben

We get to do a variety of activities such as painting, building and planting in the garden at Thornes Park.

Ben

Horticulture

Photo of Kevin

I have learnt about types of plants, how to crop and care for them and how to make different plants.

Kevin

Horticulture

Photo of Tilly

I enjoy this course and like listening to all the realistic stories from past events that relate to topics I’m learning in class.

Tilly

Health, Social Care & Wellbeing

Photo of Farhan

I study the Animal Management course at Wakefield College as well as attend my work placement at an RSPCA shelter once a week.

Farhan

Animal Care

Photo of Hazza

My favourite thing about the course is there is a large variety of animals available to work with such as snakes.

Hazza

Animal Care

Photo of Chloe

I chose to study this course because it matches my career aspirations as I want to be a Paediatric Nurse.

Chloe

Health, Social Care & Wellbeing

Photo of Evie

have enjoyed learning lots of new things about dementia, mental health issues and different kinds of abuse.

Evie

Health, Social Care & Wellbeing

Photo of Keira

There are a few careers I’d like to do in the future such as a psychologist, occupational therapist and a social worker.

Keira

Health, Social Care & Wellbeing

Student Support

Our support services are second to none and we are here to help you succeed.

Learn about our Support Services

Apply Now

Course applications can be made through our website or by a paper application.

Learn how to apply

Virtual Tours

Take a 360° virtual tour of our amazing facilities, College campus and learning environments.

Take a virtual tour of the College

Enrichment

We make our courses varied and interesting by packing in extra activities and opportunities.

Learn more about enrichment