24 March 2010
Thanks to a major change to the education system, young people
in England will be required to stay on in education or training
until the age of 17 from 2013, and until the age of 18 from 2015.
But how will raising the participation age to 18 give your child a
better chance of success when they leave school? And what do you
need to know about the different education and training options
available to them?
If your child started in Year 7 in September 2009, they will be the
first generation of pupils to benefit from this groundbreaking
change. So what options does your child have? Here is an outline of
some of the key qualifications available to young people
today:
· GCSEs and A Levels
Well-trusted options which have been updated to make them more
stretching and challenging.
· Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma
The Diploma is a new qualification which offers the best of both
worlds - a combination of classroom learning and practical hands-on
experience, and the opportunity to develop functional skills in
English, maths and ICT. Ten subjects are currently available in
areas such as Environmental and Land-based Studies, Creative and
Media; and Business, Administration and Finance. The Diploma can be
studied at three levels:
Foundation and Higher Diploma: Mainly taken as two-year course for
14 to 16 year olds within the national curriculum.
Advanced Diploma: Two-year programme worth three and a half A
levels. Taken in school sixth form, sixth-form college or FE
college.
· Foundation Learning
A national programme mainly for students at entry level or level 1,
either taken at school or college. The length of time will vary,
but Foundation Learning will cover vocational or subject learning
to help young people develop the skills they will need for work,
education and their personal and social development.
By giving students a tailored route through education, Foundation
Learning can have a positive impact on engagement, motivation and
attainment of the students participating on the programme.
· Apprenticeships
Apprentices learn on the job, working alongside experienced staff
to gain job-specific skills. Off the job, usually on day-release at
college, apprentices receive training for nationally recognised
qualifications.
· Employment with training
At 16 a young person can take a job, but ideally will continue to
develop skills by taking a course alongside their work. After the
participation age is raised in 2013, all young people taking up
work at 16 will continue learning part-time for an accredited
qualification.
Here is a list of ‘top tips’ and advice to help point your child in
the right direction:
* Find out about the different qualifications available to your
child and details of what they involve. Encourage them to think
about how they like to learn, what makes them happy and what they
want from life. They should also consider what qualifications are
more likely to lead to employment in your area
* Look at the online 14 to 19 Area Prospectus on the direct.gov.uk
website and school, college and other brochures, prospectuses and
websites to find out what courses and qualifications are available
locally. Your child should pay special attention to teaching and
learning styles, assessment methods and course length.
* Visit the Connexions Resource Centre/careers library where your
child can look up the courses that interest them or visit the
Connexions website.
* For advice on looking for jobs, including CV and interview
preparation, and information about work experience and internships,
higher and further education options, vocational training, and
financial support available, visit the direct.gov.uk website.
* Find out more about the new Diploma qualification, which combines
classroom learning with practical hands on experience, by visiting
the direct.gov.uk website.
* Your child should speak to their tutors/teachers/admission tutors
about their options, which may include combining different
qualifications and subjects. For example, if they choose to take
the Advanced Diploma, they may be able to take an A level as part
of their Diploma because Diplomas combine a number of
qualifications.
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