Students · 6 min read
Apprenticeship or sixth form? A Taunton student's honest comparison
Comparing apprenticeships and sixth form for students in Taunton and Somerset - pay, qualifications, social life, and how to decide before March 2027.
By Jack Frampton, Marketer at Queen's College, Taunton · Published 29 July 2026
Sixth form or apprenticeship is the biggest fork in the road for a Somerset 16-year-old. I took the work route, so here's the comparison without the sales pitch on either side.
What you actually get
Sixth form gives you three A-levels, time to decide, and a cohort of friends. A Level 3 apprenticeship gives you an equivalent qualification, a salary and two years of workplace experience.
Where apprenticeships win
If you learn by doing, know roughly which sector interests you, and want to avoid debt. Check live roles on Find an Apprenticeship (GOV.UK) and standards on Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
Where sixth form wins
If you want medicine, law or academia, or genuinely don't know yet. Staying open is a legitimate strategy, not a failure of nerve.
How to decide
Talk to people doing both. That's the entire point of the Taunton Apprenticeship Evening at Queen's College, Taunton on 9th March 2027.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I apply for both?
- Yes, and you should. Hold a sixth form place while applying for apprenticeships - there's no penalty for turning one down.
- Do employers respect apprenticeships?
- Increasingly, yes. Degree apprenticeships from major employers are now more competitive than many university courses.
Explore more on this site
- Apprenticeship Hub →Free mentoring, vacancy help and guides for school leavers, parents and employers.
- Marketing Portfolio →Campaign design, sports graphics, editorial work and photography from Queen's College, Taunton.
- Video →Behind the scenes video and short-form apprenticeship content.
- About Jack Frampton →Marketer, apprenticeship advocate and Taunton keynote speaker.
Related reading
About the author
Marketer at Queen's College, Taunton · Apprenticeship advocate
Jack Frampton is a marketer at Queen's College, Taunton, working across digital marketing, SEO, design, content and photography. He came through the apprenticeship route himself, founded the Taunton Apprenticeship Evening and speaks in schools across Somerset and the South West about apprenticeships as a route into marketing. He offers free mentoring for school leavers, parents and employers.
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