Education changes
Monday 1 December 2008
New school rules now mean that current year 8s will be the first students to take advantage of staying in education past year 11. So what does this all mean?
Moving Up
If you’re currently in Year 8, you’ll be the first year group to benefit from a whole host of changes to your education and learning options. The changes mean that all young people will continue in education or training after the age of 16.
Now what?
Staying in learning for longer gives you an opportunity to gain a wider range of skills that are relevant for the kind of career you want to get into. The aim is to make sure you start your working life with everything you need to be successful.
The new changes aren’t all about making you stay in ‘school’– you won’t necessarily have to! Depending on the sort of career you want to get into, you’ll choose how to participate.
You could stay on in full time education at sixth form or at a college, take an Apprenticeship (which means training as part of a job) or do some part-time training if you are working or volunteering for more than 20 hours per week. All in all, there will be a lot more opportunities for you that aren’t currently around.
What can I get out of it?
Diploma
There will be a new range of qualifications available, including the new Diploma for 14-19 year-olds which is being introduced between 2008 and 2011. Find out more about Diplomas.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship places will also be available for all young people who want one and have the right qualifications, as well as improved careers advice and help to make sure you have the information you need to make the right choices.
If you’d like more information about the new choices you’ll have to make and the benefits that the changes in the system will give you, take a look at ‘Moving Up’ – an online magazine which describes all the changes.
