Sandbach School Careers Education – Parent and Carers Information
It is very important for parents and Carers to be involved in supporting their son or daughter make decisions about their preferred pathways and next steps. A changing and competitive job market, combined with rising fees for higher education, all impact on a young person’s plans. This is making it even more important for Parents and Carers to be involved in helping their child to make the right choices for their education, training and employment.
As they make choices and plans for the future, young people need support from the people who know them best, their families. There are many ways that parents and Carers can offer support when making decisions.
Here are a few ideas: –
• Talk to your child about the careers they are interested in at an early stage. Find out what they know already and encourage them to find out more. Help set some targets to find out up-to-date information using the suggested links below.
• Encourage your child to find out about what courses, jobs and training opportunities are available locally using the sources available to them e.g. internet searches, discussions with their Tutors, Teachers and making the most of the school Careers Fair in March
• If unsure about the jobs that may suit their personality, encourage your child to complete the short iCould Buzz Quiz. This will provide a summary of their characteristics and link them to a range of suggested industries and job roles to consider. This site also has many short video insights into a wide range of job roles and industries.
• Visit the Start platform with your child and discuss their interests, skills and qualities. Encourage them to engage with local labour market information and recognise important employability skills.
• Find out from the school what GCSE choices your child has to make in Year 8 into Year 9 and how this is organised.
• Make the most of open day opportunities. Your child may be considering post-16 study at a different institution to the school and it is important to explore all of the options. These events run regularly throughout the year at colleges of F.E. and H.E. Checkout their websites for dates and times.
• Encourage your child to investigate alternative pathways, such as Apprenticeships, Traineeships and T-Levels, so they are fully informed of all options available i.e. students are advised to have a Plan A and Plan B in place before GCSE, BTEC and ‘A’ Level / T-Level results day.
• Get involved with their plans for post-18 study. If your child is intending to enter higher education they need to plan ahead carefully. Use the UCAS website early on to help plan an appropriate route.
They will need to think about: –
o what subject/s they want to study?
o which institutions offer relevant courses
o whether the program of study suits their needs?
o will their GCSE grades and expected results from A-levels, BTEC or T-Levels (or equivalent) meet the course’s entry requirements?
o whether there is a work placement as part of the course
o whether they want to study close to home or move further afield
o whether the campus offers other facilities which are important to them e.g. sports facilities
It is important to support your child to reach their own decisions about their future. Providing support and encouragement is immensely important and the more you know about the information, advice and guidance that is available and where it can be accessed the better.
For further impartial information, advice and guidance on a range of relevant topics, use the web links listed below.
If students are still unsure about their decision making or need additional support, then they can talk to or book a one-to-one careers meeting with Seve Mills, Careers Leader / Level 6 Careers Advisor accordingly smills@sandbachschool.org
General Parent Advice & Web-links
• National Careers Service e.g. For general advice and guidance. Plus, access to qualified Careers Advisors.
• Students with Special needs or disability
• START Profile for general careers research and information; including relevant Labour Market Information (LMI)
• iCould A range of advice available, including an engaging Personality Quiz called The Buzz Quiz along with video clips and Parent advice on Post-16 and Post-18 Options
• Careerpilot ‘Parent Zone’ All aspects of Careers Covered
• Careers Advice for Parents
• Target Careers general advice and resources
Higher Education and Apprenticeship Advice for Parents
• University Choices
• UCAS – University Application Information
• UCAS – University Careers Guide 2022
• Amazing Apprenticeships Parent Guide general apprenticeship advice and vacancies
• Find an Apprenticeship.gov e.g. advice and vacancies
• Not going to Uni e.g. general advice and apprenticeship / employment vacancies
• Young Professionals e.g. Higher / Degree Apprenticeship advice and vacancies
• Milkround Graduate jobs and advice
C.V. Advice and Guidance
Barclays Life Skills C.V. Builder