When Can You Leave School?

At Rosstulla we have a year 13 14 and 15 which means you can stay at Rosstulla school until the June after your 19th birthday.

🎂➡️🏫 When You Turn 16

In Northern Ireland, the law says you can leave school when you are 16 years old. But the exact date you can leave depends on when your birthday is. 

If your 16th birthday is between:

📅 1 September – 1 July

• You can leave school after 30 June of that school year.

If your 16th birthday is between:

📅 2 July – 31 August

• You must stay in school until 30 June the next year.
  
  

📚 What Happens After You Leave?

The government plans to encourage young people to stay in education, training, or an apprenticeship until age 18, but this does not mean you must stay in school — you can learn in other ways.

There are lots of options and organisations you can contact to carry on learning and develop the skills for life and work for as long as you want.

🌟 Places You Can Go To Learn When You Leave School

To Keep Learning, Build Skills, and Get Ready for Work

🏫 Belfast Met (Belfast Metropolitan College)

👉 Visit Belfast Met [belfastmet.ac.uk]

What they offer:

• Lots of courses for 16+ including essential skills, skills courses, apprenticeships, and practical training.
• Taster/open days help you try subjects, meet teachers, and see what you like.
  •  
• Why applying early is important:
  • Places fill up fast.
  • Some courses require an application form and documents.

Symbols:
🎓 Learn new skills
👋 Meet teachers
📅 Go to open/taster days
📝 Apply early

🏫 NRC – Northern Regional College

👉 Visit NRC [nrc.ac.uk]

What they offer:

• Over 700 courses across different campuses (Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne, Magherafelt, Newtownabbey). [communityni.org]
• For school leavers, adults, apprentices, and trainees.
• Options include:
  • 📘 Further Education (Level 1–3 qualifications for 16+) [yourinsite.co.uk]
  • 🛠 Apprenticeships
  • 🎯 NI Traineeships (great if you aren't ready for an apprenticeship yet) [yourinsite.co.uk]
  • 🧩 Essential Skills (reading, writing, maths, ICT) for 16+ learners. [antrimandn...bey.gov.uk]

Symbols:
📚 Lots of courses
🛠 Learn a trade
🤝 Help for different learners
💻 Improve reading, writing or computer skills

🤝 Bryson – Skills for Life and Work / Training Programmes

👉 Visit Bryson Skills Training [brysoncare.org]

What they offer:

• Skills for Life and Work for ages 16–17, or up to 22 for young people with disabilities.
• Training in: Bricklaying, Childcare, Retail, IT, Hairdressing, Health & Social Care and more. [brysoncare.org]
• Extra supports:
  • EMA £40/week
  • Travel and bonus payments
  • Work experience
  • Pastoral care

Symbols:
💼 Work skills
💷 Financial support
👩‍🏫 Friendly staff
🏆 Gain qualifications

🧰 Impact Training NI

👉 Visit Impact Training [impacttrai...ingltd.com]

What they offer:

• Skills for Life and Work programme for school leavers.
• Try different job areas before choosing, through their Broad-Based option.
• Training in:
  • Construction
  • Retail & Warehousing
  • Hairdressing & Beauty
  • Office Careers
  • Youth Work

Symbols:
🛠 Try different jobs
🔍 Explore options
🎓 Build confidence
🤝 Get support

🏗 Springvale (via BCT NI + Training Networks)

👉 Visit BCT NI (includes construction training, mentoring, and taster sessions)
👉 Visit BCT NI Community Programmes [bctnicic.com] [bctni.org]

What they offer:

• Construction taster sessions (bricklaying, joinery, painting, general construction). [bctnicic.com]
• Training for 14–24 year‑olds, including those who found school difficult.
• Person‑centred support and mentoring.

Symbols:
🔨 Learn by doing
🌱 Build confidence
🧱 Try construction skills
🤗 Supportive environment

💼 Other Support Through Further Education (Step Up Programmes)

👉 Step Up – NI Direct [nidirect.gov.uk]

What Step Up offers:

• For ages 16–24 who are not in education or work.
• 1‑to‑1 mentoring
• Confidence building
• Work experience
• Help with qualifications

Symbols:
🧠 Build confidence
👣 Take next steps
🚀 Get ready for work

🌟 The NOW Group & Orchardville Society

🟪 NOW Group

👉 Visit NOW Group [NOW Group Belfast]

💜 What is the NOW Group?

• The NOW Group helps people with learning difficulties, learning disabilities, autism, and neurodiverse conditions get ready for life and work. [NOW Group Belfast], [skillsetni.org]
• They help people find a job, learn new skills, and build confidence.
• They offer free training across Northern Ireland. [nowgroup.org]

🧰 What NOW Group Offers:

• Training for jobs in areas like hospitality, ICT, tourism, hair & beauty, and more. [NOW Group Belfast]
• 1‑to‑1 support, job clubs, and confidence‑building sessions. [skillsetni.org]
• Help with CV writing, interviews, and visiting employers. [skillsetni.org]
• Work placements and volunteering opportunities. [skillsetni.org]
• The famous JAM Card, which helps people tell others they need “Just A Minute”. [nowgroup.org]

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Who Can Join?

• Anyone aged 16+ with learning difficulties, learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or other neurodiverse needs. [skillsetni.org]

💬 Symbols:

💼 Learn job skills
🤝 1‑to‑1 support
🗣 Help with communication
🌱 Build confidence
🚌 Go to work placements

🟩 Orchardville

👉 Visit Orchardville [orchardville.com]

💚 What is Orchardville?

• Orchardville supports people with learning disabilities and autism to learn, work, and live independently.
• They have over 40 years of experience helping people reach their goals. [orchardville.com]

🧰 What Orchardville Offers:

💼 Employment Support

• Job coaching and on‑the‑job help.
• Work placements with local employers.
• Training for businesses to be more inclusive. [orchardville.com]

📘 Skills Training

• Training for jobs in hospitality, retail, admin, and more.
• Travel training, social skills groups, and confidence‑building activities. [orchardville.com]

🏠 Day Opportunities

• Activities in the community such as sports, arts, volunteering, and life‑skills programmes. [orchardville.com]

🔄 Transitions Support

• Helps young people move from school into adult life, learning or work.
• Works closely with families and schools. [orchardville.com]

🧍 Who Can Join?

• People aged 16–65 with learning disabilities or autism, in Belfast, South Eastern, and Western Trust areas. [orchardville.com]

💬 Symbols:

🌟 Learn skills
🚀 Get work experience
🧑‍🏫 Job coaching
🎨 Fun activities
🧭 Help moving from school to adulthood

🤲 Why These Organisations Are Helpful

NOW Group helps you:

✔ Learn new work skills
✔ Get support to start work
✔ Build confidence in real‑life situations

Orchardville helps you:

✔ Gain independence
✔ Make friends
✔ Learn job and life skills
✔ Move confidently into adulthood

✨ What You Can Do Next

Here are simple steps for a young person with a learning disability:

1. 👀 Look at the websites above to see what you like.
2. 📞 Ask a parent, carer, or teacher to help you contact a college or centre.
3. 📅 Visit taster days (especially at Belfast Met or NRC).
4. 📝 Apply early so you get the course you want.
5. 🤝 Ask for extra support — all these organisations can help you.