Parents & Carers :



Year 11 Calendar for Parents

During the final year of compulsory education your son or daughter will have important decisions to make about their future. You will have an important role to play in helping them to make their choices.  Here is a calendar to help you anticipate the events which will be happening during the year and things to look out for.

September

  • Start to find out about the options available.
  • ‘It’s Your Choice’ is a free national publication produced by Connexions.  It is available via school or click here for an online version www.connexions.gov.uk/itsyourchoice

OCTOBER onwards

  • Your son or daughter will receive their copy of What's next? Post-16 courses & training options from Connexions. This includes brief information and contact details for schools, colleges and work based learning providers in Bedfordshire and  Luton and some of the providers in nearby authorities.  This information and more can also be found in the 14-19 prospectus www.forward-together.org
  • Talk about all the possibilities and collect as much information as possible e.g. sixth form and college prospectuses and application forms.
  • Colleges run open days or evenings during the autumn and spring terms – contact them for dates.  It is important that students apply to college as early as possible to stand a good chance of being offered a place on the course of their choice.  Some courses such as child care, motor vehicle studies and performing arts often fill up quickly.

NOVEMBER onwards

  • Many schools have post-16 information evenings from November to March.  Take the opportunity to find out more about post-16 qualifications, courses and options in your local area.
  • Schools usually start mock GCSE’s now.  This may be a wake-up call if results are different to those expected and it is important to be realistic about the grades that are achievable.  Your son or daughter may need encouragement to keep motivated.  It's always good to have "Plan B" – an alternative option to put into action if the final results are not as good as you'd hoped.

JANUARY onwards

  • Students considering staying on into the school sixth form will have to choose course subject options.  Find out when information about these options will be available from the school and the date by which choices have to be made.
  • Recruitment for Apprenticeships and vocational training begins.  If your son or daughter is interested in taking this option, they should discuss their ideas with their Personal Adviser (PA).  For a free information pack on Apprenticeships call the national apprenticeship helpline 08000 150 600 or www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For local opportunities check out www.forward-together.org or ask for a copy of "What's next? Post-16 courses & training options from Connexions."

MARCH

  • Your son or daughter may be called for college interviews.  They should chase up colleges if they haven’t heard about their applications.
  • If you're concerned about financial support for next year, find out about Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Call their helpline on 080 810 16 2 19 or http://ema.direct.gov.uk/ema.html

APRIL

  • Practical and oral exams often start now in subjects such as languages and art & design.
  • Exam timetables should be available. Most schools will help students put together a revision plan.  You may be able to help by encouraging your son or daughter to stick to their plan.

MAY

Study leave and exams start! It will help your son or daughter to know that you are willing to listen if they want to talk.  When they are tired and under pressure they may act out of character so extra patience, tolerance and support will be needed from everyone at home.

JUNE

  • Exams finish towards the end of June.  Students need time to recover from post-exam blues, when everything goes flat after such a big build up.
  • The official school leaving date is Friday 27th June 2008.  After this date your son or daughter can legally work full-time.  They should have received their National Insurance Number.  If not, call 0845 915 7006.
  • Research shows that employers don’t just look at exam results.  The summer is a good time for students to develop other skills.  They could consider voluntary work to gain skills and experience.  Details of organisations which co-ordinate opportunities for volunteers in Bedfordshire and Luton as well as information about volunteering can be found here www.voluntaryworks.org.uk.  For more options Connx4u

JULY

  • Students continuing into the sixth form at school may have to attend sixth-form induction.
  • If your son or daughter is staying in full-time education you may be able to carry on receiving Child Benefit up to their 20th birthday in certain circumstances.  For more information call 0845 302 1444 or www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/child-16.htm
  • Young people who decide to leave full-time education can start looking for work.  Encourage them to visit the local Connexions Centre or click here for local job vacancies www.connx-jobs.org.uk
  • If they need information about different jobs or careers www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u
  • If your son/daughter needs some extra support before entering employment or further training, Entry to Employment (e2e) may be a good option for them.  This is a flexible programme for 16-18 year olds which is tailored to each young person’s needs to help work out the best way forward for them.  A Connexions Personal Adviser will be able to tell you more about e2e.  Students on e2e may be paid a training allowance or be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
  • If your son or daughter is considering Self Employment … they can find information and support to help them here

AUGUST

  • GCSE results arrive on Thursday 21 August 2008 - but remember, there are more important things than exam results!
  • You can contact colleges directly to find out if there are spaces left on courses and if they are accepting late applications for alternative courses.
  • If your son or daughter needs to rethink their plans or is unsure what to do, contact your local Connexions Centre. There is also a free, national information, advice and support service available from 8am-2am every day called Connexions Direct. Phone 080 800 13 2 19, text 07766 413219 or www.connexions-direct.com for information and webchat.