All parents and carers can expect to:

• Be able to make an appointment with a member of staff or CEIAG specialist to discuss their children’s progress and future prospects
• Have access to tutors, subject teachers and members of the CEIAG Team at parent’s information evenings
• Have the opportunity to comment on the usefulness of the careers programme to their children and how it could be improved
• Be able to access the current school Careers Programme Information

If you would like to provide feedback, or you are willing to be involved and support our Careers Programme. Please contact the Careers office careers@wimbledoncollege.org.uk

How can you support your child with making decisions for after their GCSEs?

1. Help them explore their post-16 options

Help them consider what kind of learner they are and what type of qualification may suit them best from academic to vocational, to how the courses are taught and the way the qualifications are assessed.

Ask them what kind of subjects interest them? Are these academic subject areas, typically A levels or some BTECs, or are they vocational subject areas found in BTECs, T-levels or perhaps apprenticeships?

Do they have any career ideas or industry interests? Many 15 and 16 year olds do not know, but if they want to research any of their ideas or strong subject interests to see what type of qualifications may be required, check out https://www.unifrog.org

Do they have any inclination towards post-18 options such as university or higher and degree apprenticeships? If so, help them explore what may be required in terms of post-16 qualifications https://www.ucas.com/further-education/thinking-about-university

Are they interested in being in the workplace? Then either TLevels or Apprenticeships may be an option. Check out https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship to look at live vacancies and also https://amazingapprenticeships.com/ which have some fantastic parent resources.

2. Help them explore local provision

Visit your local college websites and open evenings. Many colleges will have open events in the summer term for year 10 parents as well as events in the Autumn term. To locate colleges local to you try a google search “Local colleges to me”.

For post-16 provision you will be looking for Sixth Form schools and Sixth Form colleges (mainly offering A levels, BTEC and T- Level qualifications), Further Education colleges (BTECs, T- Levels, Apprenticeships) and Training Providers (Apprenticeships).

3. Be aware of deadlines

Many colleges do not set a deadline for application, but ideally getting an application completed and submitted by November/ December will help ensure your application is processed and you receive an interview and offer by the New Year.

Some popular subject courses fill up early and you may be put on a wait list. For many colleges you can apply as early as September. It is recommended to apply to at least two colleges. School sixth forms may have an Autumn Term deadline so please keep an eye on the school website for updates and details. For apprenticeships, many opportunities to start the summer after their GCSEs, are not advertised until the February of that year. If your child has a particular apprenticeship scheme in mind, be sure to contact the company and ask to be sent updates for the launch of their application process. If you are keen on taking an apprenticeship, we suggest that as a plan B, you apply to college for an apprenticeship place or a similar vocational course, just in case.

4. What if my child is still confused and unsure about their plans?

Please speak to your school about arranging a one to one career appointment with the Career Advisers who will be able to talk with them impartially about their options and support them with creating a plan for after their GCSEs.