In this section of the site we list typical questions
and show you where to find the answers:
1. What choices does your teenager
have to make?
- They have to make choices about which subjects, qualifications
and courses they will take throughout the 14-19 phase of
their learning.
- In years 9, 10, and 11 they have to be in school, so
they choose from the courses on offer in their school or
other providers in their local area.
- After year 11 they could stay on in the sixth form, go
to another sixth form, go to college, training or work.
This is called post-16 learning.
- Once they are in post-16 learning, they make further
choices about more study (at higher education), training
or work.
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2. When do they make their choices?
- They make their first choices in the spring term of year
9, when they choose what they will study in years 10 and
11. (In a few schools they may make their choices earlier.)
- In year 11 they make further choices about what and how
they will learn.
- Once they are past compulsory school age, they will be
making further choices every year.
- So most teenagers have to make choices in years 9, 11,
12 and 13.
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3. How do they make their choices?
- In year 9 their school takes them through a programme
of finding out about qualifications and courses that are
on offer in the school and local area. They give them information
and advice about options and what they lead to. Most schools
give year 9s a choice of subjects and courses set out in
‘Option Blocks’. They produce an options booklet
and hold parent events.
- In years 10 and 11 their school takes them through a programme
of finding out about qualifications, courses and pathways
that they can do once they reach age 16. Your teenager can
see all the courses in the county on the on-line prospectus,
www.xplore.uk.com. They can browse lists of courses, read
about all the schools, colleges, training providers and
apprenticeships, and make applications on-line. They can
also visit sixth forms and attend college open days to find
out more.
- In year, 12 teenagers going on to higher education attend
the annual county Higher Education Conference organised
by Connexions in April each year.
- Throughout years 9 – 11, Connexions Personal Advisers
(PAs) give information, advice and guidance about choices.
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4. How can you and they find out
more about what is on offer?
- Go to our website for young people, www.4you2.org.uk,
for detailed general information about qualifications and
options.
- Read our publications.
- Look on www.xplore.uk.com, for a full listing of all
the courses, schools, colleges, training providers and apprenticeships
in Northamptonshire.
- Attend school and college opening evenings.
- Read the year 9 option booklet provided by your teenager’s
school. In year 11, read the school’s sixth form booklet
and find out more about what’s on offer in other sixth
forms, local colleges and training programmes (see Xplore).
- Read the Fact Files provided by Connexions to all year
9s and 11s.
- Talk to your teenager’s school, college or training
provider.
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5. How can you help them make decisions
about what to do?
- Your teenager might feel anxious about the changes and
choices confronting them – it is complicated.
- Be supportive; help them think about what is on offer.
Encourage them to make the most of themselves and be ambitious.
But don’t make decisions for them!
- Encourage them to do lots of research about the different
choices available. This is very important.
- Look together at the county’s online prospectus,
www.xplore.uk.com. This gives a full listing of all the
courses, schools, colleges and training providers in Northamptonshire.
Once they have made their choice they can apply on line.
They can also email or text their Connexions Personal Adviser
(PA) if they have questions.
- If your teenager isn’t sure what they want to do,
encourage them to use computer programmes in their school
like Kudos or JED. These help them think about what jobs
they might like to do in the future and what qualifications
they will need. They can also make an appointment to see
their PA – they should book this through their school
or college.
- Encourage your teenager to read about possible future
jobs on sites like www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u, or
eCLIPS – a set of careers leaflets available on www.4you2.org.uk
- Encourage your teenager to check out their ideas with
their PA. They can see their PA at the regular drop-in sessions
in their school or college.
- Help them think about their personal qualities, skills
and abilities. How do these link to the courses and qualifications
on offer. Be aware that your teenager may suit one type
of learning but not another. You need to help them think
about how they learn best and match that to the courses
on offer.
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6. Who can help you and your teenager
with their choices and applications?
- Your teenager’s school, college or training provider.
For example, their form tutor, head of year, careers coordinator.
- Your teenager’s Connexions Personal Adviser (PA).
Each school and college has a linked PA who runs regular
drop-in clinics and advice appointments. Your teenager’s
PA can also be contacted on 0800 73 13 2 19.
- If your teenager wants to get a job after year 11 they
can register to find out about actual vacancies for jobs
and apprenticeships on www.4you2.org.uk, using our vacancy
matching service.
- Nationally, 16 and 17 year old school leavers are guaranteed
an offer of education or training. Their PA can help them
find a course or training opportunity, rather than them
becoming unemployed or going into a dead-end job.
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7. Why is it so important to get
choices right?
- There is an enormous choice for young people –
much more than when you were at school! Choices are exciting
but also confusing.
- Although they can leave school at 16, most teenagers
stay in education or training until they are young adults.
There are lots of different pathways – at school,
college or in work-based training. It is important to choose
the right pathway.
- It is getting harder and harder to find work without
qualifications or training. So teenagers need to stay in
education or training beyond year 11.
- Northamptonshire has a higher than average percentage
of 16 and 17 year olds going straight into work after basic
education. Many of these drop out at age 17 and 18 because
those jobs are dead-end and badly paid. It is important
to carry on with learning and training between the ages
of 16 and 19.
- Different courses suit different people. So it is important
to choose the right course if your teenager is to achieve
their potential. Don’t be influenced by what the media
says about qualifications – find out the real facts.
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