Staying in learning until 18
Raising the Participation Age
From this year, all young people leaving Year 11 will be expected to continue learning.
This means that after your son or daughter finishes their GCSEs at school they will have a few choices.
Your son or daughter can:
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Study A Levels at a school sixth form or a sixth form college
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Take a vocational course or foundation learning at a college or with a training provider
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Become an apprentice, so they can learn while they earn
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Get a job with structured training
This is all part of something called Raising the Participation Age (RPA). You or your son or daughter may have heard about RPA and some of the things you might have been told may be worrying you.
So let’s have a look at what RPA does, and doesn’t, mean for your son or daughter…
What if they don’t carry on learning?
Your son or daughter could get left a long way behind. RPA means that young people will all be working towards achieving higher level qualifications, learning new skills, developing their knowledge and interests. If your son or daughter does not get involved, employers will not be so keen to employ them in the future, when they could instead employ one of their peers who are much better qualified.
The world of work is changing and not very many people have got manual or unskilled jobs anymore. Also, the majority of young people want to make the most of their teenage years, getting qualified and learning new skills to set themselves up for a great career in the future. Employers respect this and really value the commitment young people show to continue learning. Don’t forget, when your son or daughter starts their career they will be expected to keep on learning new skills, keeping up with the latest changes and developments, so thinking that learning stops at 16 is a big mistake.
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Did you know? Last year 95% of young people leaving Year 11 continued learning either at school, college or in the workplace. In 1985, only 39% of young people leaving what was the 5th Form carried on in learning. What a change!
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When does my son or daughter need to carry on learning until?
The government is introducing RPA over a two year period, 2013 to 2015. It can be a little complicated to know what it means for your son or daughter but the table below will help.
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Date of birth
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Effect of RPA
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September 1996 – 31 August 1998
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Your son or daughter will need to stay in learning for one more academic year after they leave Year 11
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On or after 1 September 1998
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Your son or daughter will need to stay in learning until their 18th Birthday
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(!) If before their 18th Birthday they have already achieved a Level 3 qualification (such as completing an Apprenticeship) they will be able to stop learning
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What do we need to do next?
If your son or daughter is in Year 11 you both need to start thinking about what they are going to do after they finish. Speak to the Careers Adviser in their school who can give you information, advice and guidance about your son or daughter’s choices and how to get the most out of RPA. If your son or daughter is younger, you still need to start thinking about it. Why not have a look on Youthbox (www.youthbox.info|), Staffordshire’s website for young people to explore careers ideas, search for courses and find out more about options.
How can we find out more about RPA?
There is more information about RPA on the Department for Education website (www.education.gov.uk|). However, if you really want to find out what RPA means for you and your son or daughter, then you are best off talking to your Careers Adviser. They can make sure you fully understand all of the options and that your son or daughter makes the most of their skills for a great future.
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