Supporting your child with their Post 16 options
Now is one of the busiest times in the school calendar for year 11s making choices about the next stage of their education or training. This can be a daunting prospect for many as it can impact their career and study options for years to come. As a career adviser and coach, I often speak with parents and carers who feel at a loss with how to support their child - striking the balance between being a source of support and overinfluencing or taking over can be tough. I also regularly support students who feel unable to make choices for themselves due to the weight of parental expectations. I hope this blog will give you some ideas of ways to help, rather than hinder, your child’s next steps.
Information is power!
Understanding the options available to your 15/16 year old can help you to feel confident in the support you give, as well as hopefully avoiding stereotypes and bias. There are a bewildering array of choices, including perhaps options that weren’t available to you when you were their age. All children in the UK must remain in education or training until at least their 18th birthday. This can include:
A full-time place at a school sixth form or college
An apprenticeship
A recognised training scheme, such as the Armed Forces
A part-time job or volunteering, combined with a recognised National qualification.
In terms of education, there are lots of options to choose from, and supporting your child to understand their learning style and the best type of course for them is key. Some questions to prompt your discussions might include:
Would you prefer more traditional classroom-based learning (academic), or using practical skills with perhaps some learning in the workplace (vocational)?
Would you prefer to focus your efforts on one subject or to take several subjects?
What’s your assessment preference? Mostly exams (A-Levels), some coursework or a variety of assessments throughout the course (vocational)?
How closely would you like your education to relate to an actual job or industry?
Once you’ve supported your child to understand whether the more academic pathway of A-Levels, or the more skills or possibly work-based vocational pathway is best, you will be better prepared to consider the options available in your area and to help you and your child to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
The next thing to consider is the learning environment, as this will have a large bearing on your child’s progress and enjoyment of their post 16 education. One factor to consider is whether they would like a change from their current school, if there’s the option to stay on. If they are looking for a change, would a school 6th form or college setting be best? Of course, there are lots of individual differences between providers, but there can be some common themes:
School Sixth Form: tends to be more structured and centred around the school routine (although more independent learning than in previous years). Mostly classroom-based learning, with support for learning and pastoral matters. May or may not wear a uniform.
College: greater independence from the start, choose where to spend free lessons, less structure. Less obvious support, but accessible when sought. No uniform.
Ultimately though, it’s hard to know which learning environment is best until you actually see and sense it for yourself. Supporting your child to register for and attend open events is really key to making more informed decisions. Taster days are also a great way to gain a deeper understanding about courses and teaching styles.
Common parenting pitfalls (me included!):
Solving the problem for them – where will this lead?
Trying to influence their choices, based on unrealistic expectations or your own preferences for them
Preconceptions about an education provider or course type – things may well have changed!
Nagging your child and hoping they will start to show more of an interest
Expecting them to know what they want to do (did you at this age?)
Stopping talking to your child about things (frustration, denial, giving up)
Positive ways to engage:
Encourage them to show ownership, e.g. “Where would you like to start?”
Show interest, without nagging
Use open questions that encourage discussion
Small steps at first to aid planning and research e.g. signing up to the next open event, or looking at a website together.
Write things down, to avoid overwhelm, including a plan of action
Build trust and be non-judgemental - they will be more likely to share experiences and thoughts with you
Check-in regularly, stay observant and keep positive
Parents and carers often tell me they feel frustrated when their child’s ideas about their future seem to change often. Embrace this and see it instead as a healthy, normal part of their development - after all, being curious about their future and adaptable as their ideas change is a fantastic career development skill that will support them throughout their lifelong career journey.
Get In Touch if your child would like support to navigate their post-16 options.
