Parents’ and Carers’ Careers Information

The Government has changed the law in recent years so that young people leaving school will need to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday. Students can opt to study or train in any of the following ways:

• Study full time in a mainstream school sixth form, further-education college or with a training provider
• Gain an apprenticeship
• Work or volunteer full time, combined with part-time education or training
• Students with an EHCP can apply to study full time at ICollege sixth form (GCSE consolidation, WEX, DofE)

The careers team at iCollege Alternative Curriculum will provide information, advice and guidance to students which may not always be shared with parents/carers.

Parents/carers are vital to students understanding career choices and making career decisions.

All parents/carers need to have up-to-date information on choices available at 14+, 16+ and 18+.

We actively encourage you to attend parent information sessions and meet with members of the careers team during review days, or by appointment at any time.  An information session will be held during the Autumn and Spring Term. Parents and carers are encouraged to discuss any concerns regarding careers related matters with Ali Haynes, Careers Leader by email ahaynes@icollege.org.uk or by phone on 07464895993.

Information for parents / carers

As well as information provided on our Useful Websites page, it may also be helpful for parents and carers to access these websites with specific guides for parents:

Information on choices at 16:

https://careerpilot.org.uk/parent-zone/all-questions/what-are-the-choices-for-my-child-at-16

A parent's guide to apprenticeships:

https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/support-for-parents-and-guardians#

UCAS Parent Guide:

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/advice-parents-guardians-and-carers

How parents / carers can help

We aim to help every student to reach their full potential and progress on to their chosen destination by providing them with a broad range of employer and careers related opportunities. This can only be achieved with the help and support of parents, employers and alumni.

The school seeks to actively engage parents /carers in the development and delivery of our careers programme.  Parents and carers will receive regular careers updates together with requests for assistance; provided through the school website, careers newsletter and other social media.

We appreciate that your time is valuable and all parental contributions would be most welcome.

Here are some examples of how a parent could get involved in careers activities:

• Provide a ‘careers insight’ talk to students about your career path and current career area
• Act as an interviewer at a mock interview or event
• Ask your employer whether they would like to attend our careers fair/ or speed networking event.
• Ask your employer whether they could host a workplace visit for a small group of students (1-2 hours)
• Ask your employer whether they could offer a work experience placement for half a day per week for a Year 10 or Year 11 student (iCollege will support with H & S requirements)

We would be delighted to hear from you with reference to any of the above; or if you have any further ideas to support our careers programme, please get in touch with Ali Haynes.

Please see iCollege Careers Achievements for the latest information on our careers programme.