ECAP FAQs

The Common Application Process (CAP) has been introduced by the Government as a way of students being able to apply for post 16 learning opportunities via a single application process .It is Web based system which allows access from school, home etc. One single application form allows students to apply to a wide range of opportunities which means they do not have to repeatedly write out the same information when they apply to different places. Since it is part of the local 14-19 Prospectus students research information on the opportunities available to them and them make an application, all from the same site.

The CAP is being introduced across the country gradually until 2011, when all year 11 learners will be able to use the system.

At the moment in Northumberland and Tyneside there are a number of schools using the system in the pilot phase. Your school will tell you if you are in the current pilot.

In the academic year 2009/10 the year 11 pupils from Heaton Manor, Kenton, Walbottle, Excelsior (Hadrian and Jefferson and Milburn), Ashlyns, Trinity (Oakfield) and Linhope are using the system.

Yes. It is possible to go back into the system at any time and amend or add information. So if you move house, do some new work experience or gain a new qualification this information can be amended without having to write out the whole form again.

Since the Routes Prospectus and CAP are Web based you can access them from any computer linked to the internet. Students will usually access the system from school or home, however if a student does not have internet access at home, libraries and Connexions Centres will allow you access.

In the past anyone applying for courses after year 11 had to complete an application formfor each course they applied to, so they had to write out the same information a number of times. With the CAP students only need to complete their basic details once andthen can apply to any number of learning opportunities. Since the CAP is part of theProspectus all the details about Learning Pathways and courses are in the same place.

The form also does not have to be completed all at once, each page can be saved individually and can then be added to or amended. If you wished to support your child with this process as long as you have internet access at home your child could show you what they have completed or they can print out a copy to bring home to show you.

The CAP also has the option of printing out a Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) so if your child is applying for part time jobs etc this option is useful.

Data security is something we take very seriously. The CAP site is a secure internet
site and students are issued with passwords which they have to change to something
personal. We strongly recommend to students that they use a more complex password
using a combination of letters, numbers and symbols and then keep details of this
password in a safe place.