Parents Guide

Year 11 is a busy time for your child. Attempting to juggle GCSE coursework assignments, forthcoming exams and just being a teenager can be very hard work! One of the biggest decisions that your child can make during Year 11 will relate to their education and work. At the age of 16, a child can legally leave school, even if this would mean that they do not complete their final year exams. If continuing education (Further Education - FE) is the way forward, you can contribute significantly to the future success of your child. FE establishments vary in terms of size, services, facilities, courses available and reputation. You can help ensure that the right choices are made.

It is suggested that plans regarding FE are made before Year 11 starts. Year 10 can be used to provide an indication of what really motivates your child within different subjects and their abilities. This will enable you to help suggest possible career choices that relate to the subjects that they enjoy and are good at. It may seem to be a tender age, at which, career decisions are being made, however, a general direction will lay a good foundation for later years. Some courses, specifically Maths, Business Studies and Computing may have limited availability after the New Year due to their popularity.

The choice of FE establishment will also have an impact on how soon you need to be thinking of your child’s future. The main choices on offer will be continuing at the sixth-form centre within the existing school, a college or independent education provider. Each has its own distinct advantages and the reasons for choosing one over the other may relate to locality, cost, course provision and status.

In summary, the options that your child can look towards after Year 11 mainly consist of:

• Enter the sixth form at the current school
• Go to college
• Find work and train on-the-job
• Start a Modern Apprenticeship
• Start work
• Take time out to pursue other interests (eg travel)
• Study or work abroad

The key factor will be helping your child to make the right choice for him or her. They will need to be motivated in the choice they make, although deciding on an alternative at a later stage should not affect them greatly.