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Further Education

  1. Career choices

    Choosing what subjects to do for GSCEs may have already got you thinking about the future with your teenager – whether they continue with their education, do more studying or whether they look for more ‘vocational’ studies. It may be that they are already saying they want to leave school after exams and get stuck in to a job.

    This stage can sometimes trigger a tension between a parent and their teenager. There is a lot of pressure to achieve academically and sometimes the dreams we have for our children do not match what they want. Parents tell us that sometimes they are frustrated by their children’s lack of motivation: their unwillingness to knuckle down. Parents tell us how anxious they can become when trying to persuade their children that they just want the best possible...

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  2. University finances

    It's useful for your child to start planning early on what their key expenses are going to be at university.

    Student loans

    Student loans are to help to pay for living expenses such as accommodation, food and course materials.

    These are not commercial loans like those offered by high street banks or building societies. They are cheap loans, and the amount you repay is directly linked to your income once you have left university and are earning over £15,000 a year. That means the more you earn, the more you pay back, the less you earn, the less you pay back and if you do not earn over £15,000 then you don’t pay back a penny. Someone earning £20,000 a year will only be paying back £8.65 a week.

    You apply through your Local Education Authority (LEA) at the...

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  3. Exam Results

    Immediately after the hard work and pressure of exams, parents and young people may feel relieved and relaxed.

    This may soon give way to an even more stressful period - waiting for and dealing with exam results. This stage can be more uncomfortable than the exams themselves because parents and young people feel helpless. Before or during the exams they could at least do something but now they can only wait.

    Children may get caught up in endless repetitions of regret and recrimination, going over what they did or failed to do and how they might have done it differently.

    Parents may be uncertain as to whether it would be better to discuss what to do when the results arrive or leave well alone. Everyone may walk around 'on eggshells' and when the results do come out...

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  4. The results are back, what happens next?

    If your child is one of the many 15 -18 year olds who have just received their GCSE or A level results, it is likely that they will be going into some form of further education or training. Nearly 80% of young people stay in learning after Year 11 and this is likely to rise because young people are worried about the recession.

    One in five of 15 to 16 year olds have changed their mind about leaving school to find a job and more than two in five are thinking more carefully about the subjects or qualifications they choose. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever that your child knows what options are available to them so they can make the right choices. There is a broad range of exciting qualifications and learning routes available for young people to choose...

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  5. What's next after GCSEs?

    There are lots of choices for young people after Year 11. You can find out your child’s options from teachers, careers’ coordinators and Connexions advisers from Year 9 onwards.

    Ideas for when they finish school

    • Staying on at school allows your child to study a wide range of courses as well as AS and A level courses.

    • Further education colleges can offer both academic and practical courses like catering, construction and hairdressing.

    • Trade apprenticeships allow young people to learn a trade on the job.

    • Going straight into work after school does not have to mean that your child’s education is over; many young people return to study later, when they feel...

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  6. Empty nest syndrome

    We do hear from parents on the empty nest syndrome and this is what they say.

    Acknowledge how you feel

    • You may all feel quite stressed when getting ready for your kids leaving home. Lots of your time may be taken up with helping them to get things ready.
    • Talk about it. If arguments are flaring up near to the time when your kids are leaving home, talk about how you are feeling. But remember to try not to make your child feel guilty about flying the nest as this will cause resentment.
    • You may feel quite a shock when they are gone - almost like grieving. Think about ways of keeping in touch if they don't live round the corner, such as learning how to email. Or, if they have moved locally invite them over for dinner or plan a shopping trip together...
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