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In this section of the site, we list typical questions and show you where to find the answers. Please use these links to skip to the relevant part of the page:
- What choices does your teenager have to make?
- When do they make their choices?
- How do they make their choices?
- How can you and they find out more about what is on offer?
- How can you help them make decisions about what to do?
- Who can help you and your teenager with their choices and applications?
- Why is it so important to get choices right?
1. What choices does your teenager have to make?
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- They have to make choices about which subjects, qualifications and courses they will take throughout the 14-19 phase of their learning.
- In Years 9, 10 and 11, they have to be in school, so they choose from the courses on offer in their school or other providers in their local area.
- After Year 11, they could stay on in the sixth form, go to another sixth form, go to college, training or work. This is called post-16 learning.
- Once they are in post-16 learning, they make further choices about more study (at higher education), training or work.
2. When do they make their choices?
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- They make their first choices in the spring term of Year 9, when they choose what they will study in Years 10 and 11. (In a few schools, they may make their choices earlier.)
- In Year 11, they make further choices about what and how they will learn.
- Once they are past compulsory school age, they will be making further choices every year.
- So... most teenagers have to make choices in Years 9, 11, 12 and 13.
3. How do they make their choices?
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- In Year 9, their school takes them through a programme of finding out about qualifications and courses that are on offer in the school and local area. They give them information and advice about options and what they lead to. Most schools give Year 9s a choice of subjects and courses set out in "Option Blocks". They produce an options booklet and hold parent events.
- In Years 10 and 11, their school takes them through a programme of finding out about qualifications, courses and pathways that they can do once they reach age 16. Your teenager can see all the courses in the county on the Northamptonshire Online Prospectus, Xplore Progress. They can browse lists of courses, read about all the schools, colleges, training providers and apprenticeships, and make applications online. They can also visit sixth forms and attend college open days to find out more.
- In Year 12, teenagers going on to higher education attend the annual county Higher Education Conference, organised by Connexions, in March-April each year.
- Throughout Years 9-11, your choices adviser will give information, advice and guidance about options.
4. How can you and they find out more about what is on offer?
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- Go to the section for young people for detailed general information about qualifications and options.
- Read our publications.
- Look on Xplore Progress, for a full listing of all the courses, schools, colleges, training providers and Apprenticeships in Northamptonshire.
- Attend school and college opening evenings.
- Read the Year 9 option booklet provided by your teenager's school. In Year 11, read the school's sixth form booklet and find out more about what's on offer in other sixth forms, local colleges and training programmes (see Xplore Progress).
- Read the Fact Files provided by Connexions to all Year 9s and 11s.
- Talk to your teenager's school, college or training provider.
5. How can you help them make decisions about what to do?
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- Your teenager might feel anxious about the changes and choices confronting them - it is complicated.
- Be supportive; help them think about what is on offer. Encourage them to make the most of themselves and be ambitious. But don't make decisions for them!
- Encourage them to do lots of research about the different choices available. This is very important.
- Look together at the county's online prospectus, Xplore Progress. This gives a full listing of all the courses, schools, colleges and training providers in Northamptonshire. Once they have made their choice, they can apply online. They can also email or text their choices adviser if they have questions.
- If your teenager isn't sure what they want to do, encourage them to use computer programmes in their school like Kudos or JED. These help them think about what jobs they might like to do in the future and what qualifications they will need. They can also make an appointment to see their adviser - they should book this through their school or college.
- Encourage your teenager to read about possible future jobs on sites like https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/planningyourcareer/jobprofiles/Pages/default.aspx , or eClips - a set of careers leaflets available in the Publications section.
- Encourage your teenager to check out their ideas with their choices adviser. They can see their adviser at the regular drop-in sessions in their school or college.
- Help them think about their personal qualities, skills and abilities. How do these link to the courses and qualifications on offer? Be aware that your teenager may suit one type of learning but not another. You need to help them think about how they learn best and match that to the courses on offer.
6. Who can help you and your teenager with their choices and applications?
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- Your teenager's school, college or training provider. For example, their form tutor, head of year, careers co-ordinator.
- Your teenager's choices adviser. Each school and college has a linked adviser who runs regular drop-in sessions and advice appointments. Your teenager's choices adviser can also be contacted on 0800 73 13 2 19.
- If your teenager wants to get a job after Year 11, they can register to find out about actual vacancies for jobs and apprenticeships on www.jobs4you2.org.uk, using our vacancy matching service.
- Nationally, 16 and 17 year old school leavers are guaranteed an offer of education or training. Their choices adviser can help them find a course or training opportunity, rather than them becoming unemployed or going into a dead-end job.
7. Why is it so important to get choices right?
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- There is an enormous choice for young people - much more than when you were at school! Choices are exciting but also confusing.
- Although they can leave school at 16, most teenagers stay in education or training until they are young adults. There are lots of different pathways - at school, college or in work-based training. It is important to choose the right pathway.
- It is getting harder and harder to find work without qualifications or training. So teenagers need to stay in education or training beyond Year 11.
- Northamptonshire has a higher than average percentage of 16 and 17 year olds going straight into work after basic education. Many of these drop out at age 17 and 18 because those jobs are dead-end and badly paid. It is important to carry on with learning and training between the ages of 16 and 19.
- Different courses suit different people, so it is important to choose the right course if your teenager is to achieve their potential. Don't be influenced by what the media says about qualifications - find out the real facts.
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Frequently Asked Questions