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Her appointment follows the departure of Clare Marchant in September 2023, after 6 years in the position, to take up the role of Vice Chancellor at the University of Gloucestershire.

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UCAS connects people to University, post Uni studies including teacher training, apprenticeships & internships. Find all the information for your next step.

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Her appointment follows the departure of Clare Marchant in September 2023, after 6 years in the position, to take up the role of Vice Chancellor at the University of Gloucestershire.

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UCAS connects people to University, post Uni studies including teacher training, apprenticeships & internships. Find all the information for your next step.

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Register your profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship - you must be 16 or over

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It’s time to take control of your future | Springpod

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Springpod is a careers platform where students can experience the world of work and university before they apply. Rated 4.9/5 on TrustPilot.

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Estimated time required: 20-40 mins

Virtual Work Experience gives you a unique opportunity to gain work experience in a company that you might not normally get access to while highlighting the essential skills you might need. Over 50,000 people visited our virtual work experience in 2020.

What is the Virtual Work Experience tool?

By using this tool, you'll get to see the inner workings of a digital transformation agency, and actively work with different departments on one exciting project, helping them solve problems and complete real-life tasks.

As part of the experience, you'll also see lots of tips as well as links through to other LifeSkills content. These are designed to help you learn how best to deal with situations you may come across in the workplace. Following these links will help you get the most out of your virtual work experience and learn more about the vital skills you'll need in the workplace.

Barclays LifeSkills is offering an online work experience programme for young people in the UK aged 14-19, which typically includes Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 (England and Wales), S3, S4, S5 and S6 (Scotland) and Year 11, 12, 13, 15 (Northern Ireland). This comprises online activities, 5 live sessions with Barclays employees and project work. It starts on Monday 23 October 2023, the deadline for applications is 19 October 2023 and you can register on springpod.com.

Why not extend your virtual work experience journey further by learning about a different industry, specifically financial services through our online lesson film outlining how a bank works and the different role available?

Alternatively, you can visit our virtual work experience hub for more tools and tips.
How do you use it?
The tool is an interactive video where you can ask and answer questions using buttons; think of it as a first-person role-playing game. You'll meet lots of people from different departments of the agency and learn more about what they do.
What do I need to use it?
All you need to get going with this tool is a free LifeSkills account. It's that easy.
How long will it take?
The tool should take approximately 20 mins to complete however there are lots of tips spread throughout that would be useful to check out as you go. You can always come back to them afterwards too.

Why not extend your virtual work experience journey further by learning about a different industry, financial services, through our online lesson film outlining how a bank works and the different roles available?

Alternatively, you can visit our virtual work experience hub for even more tools and tips.

Once you've used the virtual work experience tool, why not get your CV ready for applications using our CV Builder tool.

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Virtual Work Experience tool | Barclays LifeSkills

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Learn where your skills are needed in the modern workplace and see the inner workings of a company with our free online virtual work experience tool.

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Employability Skills | Young People Job Skills | Life Skills

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Welcome to Harris Federation Careers Education

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Harris Careers Education is here to inspire you, advise you and support you get to where you want.

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Explore your training and career possibilities or get help working out your options.

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Sign In: We help students compare every opportunity, then apply successfully. We also empower teachers and counselors to manage the progression process effectively.

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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We are a youth charity that believes every young person should have the opportunity to succeed and reach their potential. Click 'Get Started' to register for an account for your school/college or scroll down to discover free resources that can help set your students on the path to reaching their career potential.

Who benefits from what we offer?

You, your students and the employers we work with! The more we can support you in helping your students into careers they love, the more we all stand to benefit from having a more diverse and productive workforce. Without our charity's help, it can be hard for some young people to get ahead or even imagine themselves in certain careers.

Let us help supplement your school/college's careers education programme so that you can improve your students' outcomes.

Help your students learn about a wider range of career options
Get your students in front of big-name businesses wherever they live
Boost your students' skills and confidence
Get evidence for your child's CV, personal statement, apprenticeship or job application
Enable your students to find careers that really suit them
Get free support to help your students to reach their potential

Who are Speakers for Schools?

Launched in 2010 by ITV's Political Editor Robert Peston, Speakers for Schools is a youth social mobility charity that seeks to raise career ambitions among young people from less privileged backgrounds across the UK, and provide the necessary inspiration, experience and networking opportunities for them to succeed.

We provide support in the form of local, national and UK-wide opportunities to young people from state schools, colleges and ITPs at no cost to students, parents/carers or your school/college/ITP. Since launch, we have already supported more than 1.3 million young people to discover more about the world of work.

Since the start of the pandemic, we have partnered with over 1,000 employers to offer industry-leading virtual work experience to young people in every region of the UK. We already work with over 3,400 schools, colleges and ITPs in England and, through our charity, young people from anywhere in England can:

Access high-quality work experience that meets Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6

Take part in employer-led activities based on the Skills Builder Universal Framework

Expand their knowledge of careers and pathways into different careers

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools Black History Month is almost over, and we wanted to take a moment to share with you how Speakers for Schools is celebrating black excellence this year and signpost you to some useful resources you may want to explore. Each year, a different theme is selected for [...]

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences October was another busy month for Speakers for Schools on the policy front with our CEO Nick Brook heading to the North-West of England for two lively fringe panel events at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences that each featured an impressive lineup of experts [...]

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all New data from the Employer skills survey published September 2023 shows persistent skills challenges that businesses are facing. Over 72,000 employers in multiple sectors were surveyed to provide insight into the evolving labour market, focusing on skill-shortage vacancies, training and skill gaps across all regions [...]

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work experience opportunities for students

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Empowering Students for Success | Educational Resources | Speakers for Schools

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Discover Speakers for Schools, a dedicated platform offering resources and opportunities to help educators empower their students for success. Explore our inspirational talks, work experience opportunities, and join our mission to boost student potential across the UK.

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Unlock top-notch apprenticeship teacher resources with Amazing Apprenticeships! Empower educators, enhance student guidance. Elevate learning!

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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Sir John Holman, a former Headteacher and founder of the National STEM Learning Centre, was asked by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to undertake an independent, international review of career guidance. Working with the University of Derby, the project visited six countries, analysed good practice in English schools and reviewed existing literature.

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Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.

As an apprentice you'll:

be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay

work alongside experienced staff

gain job-specific skills

get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours)

Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

Levels of apprenticeship

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels.

Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.

Who can start an apprenticeship

To start an apprenticeship, you'll need to be:

16 or over

living in England

not in full-time education

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you're still at school but you'll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship.

If you have relevant experience

You could spend less time training or qualify earlier if you have relevant experience. This includes having:

qualifications, such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in a relevant subject

industry or sector experience

completed training, such as an IT course

You can agree this with your training provider and employer when you start your apprenticeship.

If you need more experience

If you feel you're not ready for an apprenticeship, a traineeship is a course designed to prepare you for one.

Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Different organisations deal with:

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Becoming an apprentice - what to expect, apprenticeship levels, pay and training, making an application, complaining about an apprenticeship.

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Register your profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship - you must be 16 or over

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Careermag for School Leavers | Careermap

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Explore apprenticeships, T Levels, work experience and university options including interview prep and student life. Navigate your options with confidence. If you're an educator use this resource to ignite discussions and guide your students.

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Careermag for School Leavers | Careermap

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Explore apprenticeships, T Levels, work experience and university options including interview prep and student life. Navigate your options with confidence. If you're an educator use this resource to ignite discussions and guide your students.

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It’s time to take control of your future | Springpod

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Springpod is a careers platform where students can experience the world of work and university before they apply. Rated 4.9/5 on TrustPilot.

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Estimated time required: 20-40 mins

Virtual Work Experience gives you a unique opportunity to gain work experience in a company that you might not normally get access to while highlighting the essential skills you might need. Over 50,000 people visited our virtual work experience in 2020.

What is the Virtual Work Experience tool?

By using this tool, you'll get to see the inner workings of a digital transformation agency, and actively work with different departments on one exciting project, helping them solve problems and complete real-life tasks.

As part of the experience, you'll also see lots of tips as well as links through to other LifeSkills content. These are designed to help you learn how best to deal with situations you may come across in the workplace. Following these links will help you get the most out of your virtual work experience and learn more about the vital skills you'll need in the workplace.

Barclays LifeSkills is offering an online work experience programme for young people in the UK aged 14-19, which typically includes Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 (England and Wales), S3, S4, S5 and S6 (Scotland) and Year 11, 12, 13, 15 (Northern Ireland). This comprises online activities, 5 live sessions with Barclays employees and project work. It starts on Monday 23 October 2023, the deadline for applications is 19 October 2023 and you can register on springpod.com.

Why not extend your virtual work experience journey further by learning about a different industry, specifically financial services through our online lesson film outlining how a bank works and the different role available?

Alternatively, you can visit our virtual work experience hub for more tools and tips.
How do you use it?
The tool is an interactive video where you can ask and answer questions using buttons; think of it as a first-person role-playing game. You'll meet lots of people from different departments of the agency and learn more about what they do.
What do I need to use it?
All you need to get going with this tool is a free LifeSkills account. It's that easy.
How long will it take?
The tool should take approximately 20 mins to complete however there are lots of tips spread throughout that would be useful to check out as you go. You can always come back to them afterwards too.

Why not extend your virtual work experience journey further by learning about a different industry, financial services, through our online lesson film outlining how a bank works and the different roles available?

Alternatively, you can visit our virtual work experience hub for even more tools and tips.

Once you've used the virtual work experience tool, why not get your CV ready for applications using our CV Builder tool.

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Virtual Work Experience tool | Barclays LifeSkills

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Learn where your skills are needed in the modern workplace and see the inner workings of a company with our free online virtual work experience tool.

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In order to provide you with the best possible experience on the LifeSkills website we use cookies and similar technology to collect data from your device and browser while you are here. Collecting this data helps us to personalise content for you, understand how you use the website, allow access to social media features and deliver personalised service and advert message content. You can find out more in our Cookie Policy. Please select 'Accept all' to consent to us collecting your data in this way. To see other data collection options, select 'Manage data preferences'.

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Online Work Experience | Young People | Barclays LifeSkills

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Your cookie preferences

In order to provide you with the best possible experience on the LifeSkills website we use cookies and similar technology to collect data from your device and browser while you are here. Collecting this data helps us to personalise content for you, understand how you use the website, allow access to social media features and deliver personalised service and advert message content. You can find out more in our Cookie Policy. Please select 'Accept all' to consent to us collecting your data in this way. To see other data collection options, select 'Manage data preferences'.

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The types of similar technologies used in this website fall into one of four categories - Strictly Necessary, Performance, Functionality & Profile and Targeting. You can find out more information in our Cookie Policy.

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Employability Skills | Young People Job Skills | Life Skills

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Skip to main content Your cookie preferences In order to provide you with the best possible experience on the LifeSkills website we use cookies and similar technology to collect data from your device and browser while you are here.

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A Guide to Career Options 2023 / 2024 | RateMyApprenticeship

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Read our digital guide to Apprenticeships and School Leaver Programmes in 2023 / 2024, featuring the top apprenticeship employers’ table as voted for by students

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Choosing the right subjects to study post-16 is very important in helping you to get into university, particularly a Russell Group university.

If you don't know what degree subject you want to study, it's important to choose A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) that keep as many options open to you.

Whatever your situation, Informed Choices can give you the start you need in deciding what to do next.

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Choosing the right subjects to study post-16 is very important in helping you to get into university, particularly a Russell Group university. If you don't know what degree subject you want to study, it's important to choose A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) that keep as many options open to you.

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Welcome to Harris Federation Careers Education

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Harris Careers Education is here to inspire you, advise you and support you get to where you want.

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Thank you for successfully registering your interest for The Genie Programme.

A member of the team will be in touch with your shortly. In the meantime, If you have any questions please email us at genie@amazingapprenticeships.com.

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Everything you need to get prepared for National Careers Week 2022! View our range of free resources designed to inspire students and teachers alike to see how subjects that they love can link to fantastic apprenticeship opportunities.

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Explore your training and career possibilities or get help working out your options.

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Sign In: We help students compare every opportunity, then apply successfully. We also empower teachers and counselors to manage the progression process effectively.

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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We're a UK-wide youth charity on a mission to help you find your feet and get the best possible start in life.

Our Career Personality Quiz is a quick, fun way to find out which types of careers are most likely to suit you and to get tailored updates about our latest work experience and inspirational talks.

Helping students like you!

Meet Josh and Joyce, two of the million-plus young people from across the UK who have felt their confidence skyrocket thanks to using our extraordinary programmes during their time at school and college!

Meet some of our employers

We offer free work experience opportunities with hundreds of leading employers from big-name businesses you'll already know to others you've yet to discover. With new employers coming on board all the time, here are a few of our top employers!

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools Black History Month is almost over, and we wanted to take a moment to share with you how Speakers for Schools is celebrating black excellence this year and signpost you to some useful resources you may want to explore. Each year, a different theme is selected for [...]

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences October was another busy month for Speakers for Schools on the policy front with our CEO Nick Brook heading to the North-West of England for two lively fringe panel events at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences that each featured an impressive lineup of experts [...]

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all New data from the Employer skills survey published September 2023 shows persistent skills challenges that businesses are facing. Over 72,000 employers in multiple sectors were surveyed to provide insight into the evolving labour market, focusing on skill-shortage vacancies, training and skill gaps across all regions [...]

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Speakers for Schools | Career Guidance and Work Experience for Students

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Discover Speakers for Schools, a UK-wide youth charity dedicated to helping students find their footing in life. Explore our career guidance resources, gain world-class work experience, and listen to inspirational talks from high-achieving professionals. Start your journey to success with us today.

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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Apprenticeships Parent/Carer Pack - Feb24

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Apprenticeships Parent/Carer Pack - Feb24

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Parents and guardians, we know talking about careers can be daunting but we're here to guide you through the maze of post-16 and post-18 options.

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Helping your child make options choices.

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Helping your child make options choices.

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Whether your child is about to take their GCSEs, National 4s/5s, or something else, choosing what to study can feel overwhelming for them. This guide will take you through everything you need to know to support them in making the right choice for them.
Check what's available
Not all schools and colleges offer the same options, and there are some subjects students are required to study at this level. For example, in England children must study English, maths, and science as their core subjects before making their other choices. Be aware that your child may study English language and English literature, and that they could be offered the option to study double or triple science.

Your child may also be offered the option to study:

art: fine art, media studies, or graphic design

performing arts: music, drama, dance, or performing arts

technology: food technology, textiles, resistant materials, electronics, IT, or computer science

humanities: geography, history, or religious studies

languages

sport or PE

Bear in mind that timetabling may mean that your child may not be able to study all the subjects they want to - for example, if PE and French are scheduled at the same time, they may not be able to study both, and in most cases, the timetable is set and won't be changed.

Speak to your child's school to find out what subjects they offer.
Skills and interests vs jobs
The most important thing for your child is that they feel they are able to succeed in the subjects they choose. This means that they should be encouraged to choose subjects they enjoy and that they are good at, even if they are not traditionally seen as 'good' subjects or qualifications.

For example, if your child loves working with their hands and doesn't enjoy academic studies, they may be more suited to BTECs than GCSEs, and there is nothing wrong with them choosing this as a pathway. Future employers will be more interested in how successful your child is in the qualification they choose, rather than the qualification itself.

Encourage your child to think about their skills and interests when making their choices. They can use the Skills tool to help them identify their best skills, then sit down with you to talk through what subjects might suit them best. If you're not sure, ask a teacher at your child's school for support.
Get clued up
Most schools offer an 'Options evening' where you and your child can talk to teachers about their subject, find out exactly what they'll be learning over the next two years, and ask any questions you have.

Prepare beforehand by asking your child what they might be interested in so that you don't visit subjects unnecessarily, and by creating a list of questions you both want to ask to take with you.

If you can't make the event for whatever reason, email your questions to your child's form tutor/s and ask them to see if they can get the answers from the relevant departments.

Your child's school is there to support you both, so don't be shy! Call, email, or go in and meet with staff and teachers to get what you need to help your child make this decision.
Remember who this is for
It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and encourage children to choose subjects you wish you had taken, or to encourage them to take what you think is best for them. While it might seem helpful, in the long term they may end up having to take more courses to get into the job, apprenticeship, or university they want to because they haven't built the right skillset or knowledge base.

Be there as a sounding board for your child rather than a decision maker, and try to be open to all their ideas even if they aren't what you would choose for yourself.

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For parents and caregivers: helping your child make their Level 2 qualification choices

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For parents and caregivers: helping your child make their Level 2 qualification choices - Unifrog Blog

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The number of students going to university over the past few years has massively increased, but you may have come across some false information that affects where your child goes, or even if they go at all! In this guide, we show you what university is and whether or not it's a good fit for your child.

Let's start with some mythbusting:

Myth 1: University means that your child will have a lot of debt.
This is false!
Whilst the price of tuition fees in the UK is currently £9,000 per year, when it comes to paying back a student loan (or debt), the total amount that your child will pay for university really depends on how much they earn after they graduate.

Once your child leaves university, they'll only start repaying their loan when they earn over £27,295 per year. If they earn under £27,295 per year at any point, they don't pay back anything (or their payment is paused). Student loans are cancelled after 30 years if they haven't been paid back.

If you have a Unifrog account, check out our Know-how library for more information about student finance in the UK and overseas. If you don't, there's some helpful information at the bottom of this guide.

Myth 2: The top ranked universities are the best.
This is also false!
When you think of the best universities, the bigger-named universities like Oxford, Cambridge, or 'Russell Group' unis might come to mind. This doesn't necessarily mean they're the best though; it actually means they have traditionally had the most money and resources. They might not even teach the subject your child wants to study!

There are lots of ways universities are ranked, like on the quality of their teaching, student satisfaction, and the number of graduates in employment after they complete their course. This means that there are actually lots of universities and courses that rank higher than universities like Oxford and Cambridge in certain subject areas.

Encourage your child to look for information related to what is important to them: for example, how satisfied students are with their course, or how expensive it is to live in the local area.

Students with Unifrog accounts can use the UK Universities search tool to compare options and to explore courses and unis based on the rankings that are meaningful to them.

Ultimately, your child should go to a university where they will be happy for the next three years or more, not just somewhere with high rankings.

Myth 3: Your child has to go to university.
Another false one!
There are so many great options for students, and university just might not be the right option for them right now. They might be happier completing an apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship, taking a gap year, starting a job, or studying for professional qualifications at an FE college. There is no age limit for studying a degree, so they can always study later on if that's what they want to do.

If your child wants to work in an industry that requires a degree (like medicine, for example), then they will need to go to university at some point, otherwise there might be other routes into their chosen career. There are more routes into typically graduate-only industries than ever before, including things like law and engineering. Encourage your child to talk to the careers adviser at their school and - if they have a Unifrog account - to explore different pathways using the Careers library and Shortlisting tools.
University might be the right path for your child if...

1. They want to study more about a subject they love

2. They're unsure of their chosen career path and want to keep their options open

3. They want the 'university experience' and freedom to study wherever they want

University might not be the right path for your child if...

1. They're not keen on spending a lot of time on academic studies

2. They'd like to start their professional life

3. They want to earn money straight away

Talk to the careers adviser at your child's school for more advice.

Good stuff from elsewhere

Student Finance
Find out about student finance directly from the UK government.

Student Finance: Scotland
Is your child interested in studying in Scotland? Get more Scotland-specific information here.

Student Finance: Northern Ireland
Is your child interested in studying in Northern Ireland? Get more NI-specific information here.

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For parents and caregivers: what is university?

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What does it mean to go to uni and is it a good fit for your child?

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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Information to help parents and carers support young people in making the right decision about study and work

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How can I help my child make informed choices?

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How can I help my child make informed choices?

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Choosing the right subjects to study post-16 is very important in helping you to get into university, particularly a Russell Group university.

If you don't know what degree subject you want to study, it's important to choose A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) that keep as many options open to you.

Whatever your situation, Informed Choices can give you the start you need in deciding what to do next.

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Choosing the right subjects to study post-16 is very important in helping you to get into university, particularly a Russell Group university. If you don't know what degree subject you want to study, it's important to choose A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) that keep as many options open to you.

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How to help your teen find work experience

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How can you help your child to find work experience?

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How can you help your child to find work experience?

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How to help your teen find work experience

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Work experience covers a range of opportunities, from attending the workplace in person, shadowing or observing a particular person or job role, volunteering or carrying out work remotely/virtually. What’s important is that your teen gets some first-hand experience of what it’s like to work.

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An increasingly popular study option, apprenticeships are a great way to gain hands-on experience while studying towards an industry-recognised qualification and earning a wage. They're available across a range of sectors, from accounting, business and law, to construction, engineering and transport.

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Learn more about apprenticeships including the different types, where to find them and how to apply

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Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.

As an apprentice you'll:

be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay

work alongside experienced staff

gain job-specific skills

get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours)

Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

Levels of apprenticeship

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels.

Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.

Who can start an apprenticeship

To start an apprenticeship, you'll need to be:

16 or over

living in England

not in full-time education

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you're still at school but you'll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship.

If you have relevant experience

You could spend less time training or qualify earlier if you have relevant experience. This includes having:

qualifications, such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in a relevant subject

industry or sector experience

completed training, such as an IT course

You can agree this with your training provider and employer when you start your apprenticeship.

If you need more experience

If you feel you're not ready for an apprenticeship, a traineeship is a course designed to prepare you for one.

Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Different organisations deal with:

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Becoming an apprentice - what to expect, apprenticeship levels, pay and training, making an application, complaining about an apprenticeship.

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Register your profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship - you must be 16 or over

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How can I help my child choose their A Levels?

About A Levels

A Levels are Level 3 qualifications which your child can choose to take after GCSEs - in schools, 6th form centres or at a Further Education College. A levels are linear qualifications, studied over two years with final exams and assessments taking place at the end. Most students will study 3 subjects at A Level and each school and college will have set entry requirements for students to start A Levels. These will differ in different schools, but young people will often need to have at least 5 GCSE passes at Grade 5/6 or above and, for the subjects they wish to take at A Level, they may need a Grade 6/7 for some subjects - check with your school/college. Full details of requirements will be on the school or college websites.

Your child can stay on at their school for A Levels (if they have a sixth form) or they can apply to study at a different 6th form or college. Not all schools and colleges offer the same A Levels so it is worth looking at all the possibilities.

When helping your child with their A Level choices, you could consider the following:

Have they considered the other options open to them at this stage, such as vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, T Levels? Are you up to date with the different pathways they can choose? Careerpilot has more information on the Choices at 16.

Encourage your child to really find out what is involved in the A Level subject. Often students assume that the A Level is going to be very similar to the GCSE but it may be very different, both in content and in the way it is taught. They may be expected to do much more independent work or there may be less practical work.

If your child has a career idea in mind, or several ideas, encourage them to find out if they need specific A Levels. Careerpilot has information on 800+ jobs. If they have a specific degree in mind, they could check out the entry requirements on the UCAS website, (which has detailed information about all full-time higher education courses) as they may need specific A Levels. It is important they realise that theycould change their mind about their current career idea. Therefore: their choices should be based on subjects which will keep their options open; which they will enjoy; which they believe they will do well in.

There is a huge range of subjects to choose from. A Levels provide an opportunity to carry on with a subject they really like or start a new subject which was not available as a GCSE. Some A Level subjects are regarded as subjects that can lead on to many options later, known as 'facilitating' subjects - such as maths, English, physics, biology or chemistry, history or geography or a language. It is good to have a mixture of facilitating and non-facilitating subjects, check exactly what the course requirement are as some courses ask for specific A levels.

Talk through the possibilities with your child to find out what they like and dislike about the possible A Level subjects. With your help and with advice from their teachers, they should be able to make a realistic appraisal of their ability in different subjects. It is often very difficult for a young person to see beyond a 'passion pitch' that a teacher may make to your child, especially if they are academically strong in many subjects. Everyone likes to hear that a teacher would really want him or her in his or her class, but this is about your child choosing the right subjects in the right combination for them.

Many schools and colleges hold open days or evenings throughout the year and it is a good idea for you both to attend as this will help you to discuss the possible options. Many schools also offer taster lessons in the subjects they are considering taking. It is not uncommon for schools to have very early closing dates for the 6th form, to help with planning the timetable and staffing but, there is nothing to prevent a student from making more than one application and then holding these places before making up their mind later on.

About AS Levels

AS Levels are stand alone qualifications and are about the equivalent of half an A level. They are stand alone qualifications taken over 1 year and no longer count towards achieving a full A level. They can be studied alongside A levels and attract UCAS points.

More information

Careerpilot has more information about A Levels here

Schools and colleges will provide information and advice that will help your child to make the right decision for them.

UCAS, which is the site with information about all full-time higher education courses and how to apply, provides further information about choosing A Levels which you can read here.

This article from icould.com gives you five points to consider and The Uni Guide gives you six points to consider when choosing A Levels.

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A Levels are Level 3 qualifications which your child can choose to take after GCSEs - in schools, 6th form centres or at a Further Education College. A levels are linear qualifications, studied over two years with final exams and assessments taking place at the end.

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A parents' toolkit for career conversations

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Talking Futures: A parents toolkit for discussing next steps in education 

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Talking Futures: A parents toolkit for discussing next steps in education 

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A parents' toolkit for career conversations

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Talking Futures will help you have informed and constructive conversations with your child about their future.

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Speakers for Schools: Parent / Guardian section

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Speakers for Schools: Parent / Guardian section

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We are a youth charity that believes every young person should have the opportunity to succeed and reach their potential. Scroll down to discover free resources that can help set your child on the path to reaching their career potential.

Who benefits from what we offer?

Your child and the employers we work with! The more young people from state schools and colleges that we can support into careers they love, the more we all stand to benefit from having a more diverse and productive workforce. Without our charity's help, it can be hard for some young people to get ahead or even imagine themselves in certain careers.

Help your child learn about a wider range of career options
Get them in front of big-name businesses wherever they live
Boost your child's skills and confidence
Get evidence for your child's CV, personal statement, apprenticeship or job application
Enable your child to find careers that really suit them
Get free support to help your child reach their potential

Your top 3 questions answered

Who is Speakers for Schools?

Launched in 2010 by ITV's Political Editor Robert Peston, Speakers for Schools is a youth social mobility charity that seeks to raise career ambitions among young people from less privileged backgrounds across the UK, and provide the necessary inspiration, experience and networking opportunities for them to succeed.

We provide support in the form of local, national and UK-wide opportunities to young people from state schools and colleges at no cost to students, parents/carers or your child's school/college. Since launch, we have already supported more than 1.3 million young people.

Since the start of the pandemic, we have partnered with over 1,000 employers to offer industry-leading virtual work experience to young people in every region of the UK. We already work with over 4,121 schools and colleges in the UK.

If your child attends a UK state secondary school or college, they are eligible to access our programmes.

Why should you encourage your child to take part in Speakers For Schools programmes?

There are many good reasons why you should encourage your child to participate, but here are our top four. Click on the bullet points below to reveal more detail.

Taking part in Speakers for Schools' programmes can improve your child's access to opportunities to expand their horizons and increase their cultural and social capital with a view to also improving their employment outcomes.

Our programmes are designed to help young people learn about lots of different roles in lots of different industries, so they can choose the right fit for them at this point in their life while also having a better appreciation of other options available to them in their future.

Engaging with our programmes from a young age (11+) means that your child can access more opportunities to build their awareness of careers and the world of work throughout their secondary school and college education. This means that they will be better placed to make more informed career choices based on practical experience and directly acquired knowledge.

Our programmes support young people in understanding the changing needs of employers and also in developing their own skill sets in a way that will appeal to future employers.

How can your child get the most out of our programmes?

Each of our programmes has been specially designed to provide lots of free opportunities for young people to supplement the careers education they receive while still in school. Young people can pick and choose opportunities from any of the age-appropriate opportunities across our programmes, doing as little or as much as they want when they want.
To derive maximum benefit, we would recommend that your child engages with all our programmes. Click on the bullet points below to reveal more detail.

We know that having multiple experiences of the world of work improves employment outcomes for young people when they enter the job market. We also know that additional school-mediated engagements with employers can positively impact a young person's future earnings ( up to 1.6% increase) and reduce their chance of becoming NEET by around 9%. Our Experience programme supports young people to access multiple opportunities to meet employers from a wide range of industries to learn about

We know that 'careers talks with employers' can improve young people's education performance as the result of linking the curriculum to the real world. Listening to inspirational talks through our Inspiration programme helps to provide context for young people so that they can look beyond the classroom and increase confidence in their own abilities. The research shows that there is a direct link between the career talks and students' outperforming their predicted grades, the equivalent of one student in a class of 25 beating their predictions by one grade as a result of the careers talks.

We know that employers highly value essential skills such as communication and problem-solving that young people develop outside of the classroom either through volunteering or work experience. Participating in a rounded careers education while still at school supports young people to develop the skills they need for any job in the modern world and has a bearing on their future earnings. The greater their level of essential skills, the higher the wage premium they can expect and research suggests that for each additional level of skills they develop, they can earn over £3,000 more when they enter the job market.

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Latest Green Skills survey reveals that more than half of young people lack guidance on green job options at school A new survey carried out by our charity of 1,200 young people aged 15-18 who attend state secondary schools and colleges throughout the UK has revealed that more than half (57%) have not been given [...]

Fumez the Engineer visits Hewens College to inspire and empower the next generation.

Fumez the Engineer visits Hewens College to inspire and empower the next generation. Well-known and respected audio producer and engineer Fumez the Engineer delivered a motivating talk to students from Years 10 and 11 at Hewens College, West London, on Wednesday 16th of March. It was a hugely memorable experience for the students who attended, [...]

How virtual work experience helped pave the way for a Scottish student to secure an apprenticeship

How virtual work experience helped pave the way for a Scottish student to secure an apprenticeship Many young people find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to looking for a job because there are limited career options available in their local area. And while the pandemic generally reduced the opportunities for many young people [...]

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We are a youth charity that believes every young person should have the opportunity to succeed and reach their potential. Scroll down to discover free resources that can help set your child on the path to reaching their career potential. Your child and the employers we work with!

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Amazing Apprenticeship - The parent perspective

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Amazing Apprenticeship - The parent perspective

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There are so many options available to your child on leaving school. They could join the sixth form, begin an apprenticeship, commence a T Level, develop their confidence through a traineeship, apply for full-time university, consider a gap year or even move into volunteering!

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An introduction to Careers Education for Governors

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An introduction to Careers Education for Governors

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An Introduction to Careers Education for Governors

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Sir John Holman, a former Headteacher and founder of the National STEM Learning Centre, was asked by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to undertake an independent, international review of career guidance. Working with the University of Derby, the project visited six countries, analysed good practice in English schools and reviewed existing literature.

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 