Welcome to Parkside Academy Post 16 Choices Parent’s Information Evening

Aims Of The Session Give you as parents/carers a better understanding of how to support your child in making their Post 16 choices. Give you the opportunity to speak directly to the vast majority of our Post 16 providers.

Choices Post 16 Full Time Education Apprenticeships Employment AS/A-Levels BTEC Nationals International Baccalaureate NVQ’s GCSE’s

Changes to Post 16 From September 2013 all pupils must stay in some form of ‘education or training’ until the age of 17 From 2015 this will rise to age 18 From September 2013 pupils who do not achieve at least a Grade C in English and Maths will have to continue these subjects at college or sixth form

Education Secretary Michael Gove said English and Maths are the subjects "employers demand before all others” Employers have warned that young people need to improve Maths and English skills. Employers' organisations concerned that too many young people lack literacy and numeracy skills necessary for work. Why?

Applying to Colleges or Sixth Forms – In School Help Advice available from the school – Y11 Mentor. Local colleges/sixth forms come into school to discuss application process. Pupils encouraged to visit / apply to more than one sixth form or college. Inspire Days

How As A Parent/Carer You Can Help Make time to go to college/sixth form open evenings. Look at the college/sixth form prospectus’ which are also available on-line. Check course/s entry requirements. Check transport links in advance. Encourage them to look at several places so they can make an informed choice.

Where To Study Most popular for academic pupils wanting to take 3 AS Levels or more (pupils should be gaining at least 5 GCSE’s at Grade B or above including English and Maths) – Queen Elizabeth (Darlington), St John’s Sixth Form, Durham Sixth Form Centre, Durham New College and Durham Johnston Sixth Form.

Where To Study Academic A-Level and vocational courses are also offered by: Wolsingham, King James, Whitworth Park School (formerly Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange), St Leonards, Framwellgate School, Bishop Auckland College, Durham New College and East Durham College (Houghall).

Informed Choices – Russell Group Traditional ‘Red Brick’ universities are represented by the Russell Group. The Russell Group has released a document called ‘Informed Choices’ it states clearly what A-Levels pupils need to achieve to get on to their different degree courses. There is a link to this document on our school website.

College Open Evenings You will need to check individual sixth form and college websites for this information or contact the colleges/sixth forms directly.

EMA Funding / New Bursary System EMA funding no longer available. Sixth Forms and Colleges now have their own bursary systems and you can speak to them directly about this for further information.

Help With Travel Costs No longer available from Durham County Council. Some colleges have made their own transport arrangements for pupils. You will need to speak to the colleges for further information on this.

Useful Websites

School’s New Website All the information from tonight will be placed on the school’s website in the: Parents section – Post 16 choices.

Something to consider ________________________________________ Better qualifications bring improved job prospects, higher earnings and greater job satisfaction.