Options Time - Your Child's Education London

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 Year 7 in September 2009, they will be the first generation of pupils to experience this change. Here is an outline of some of the key qualifications available to young people today:

GCSEs and A Levels
Well-known options which offer a wide range of subjects to choose from.

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 offers these 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 www.direct....

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