10 minute read
Family Life
What are the Options at 16? As Year 11 approaches, your son or daughter will need to start thinking about their options when they leave school at 16. As you help them through this process, you should discover a range of choices relating to education, training or work.
You could start your search at GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/browse/ education/find-course) where you’ll find out more about qualifications, apprenticeships and post-16 financial support. This article focuses on options available in England.
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Post-16 options and the law
The raising of the participation age in England a few years ago means that, whatever your child’s next step, some form of study or training is compulsory until at least the age of 18. They won’t have to stay in fulltime education, but they will need to opt for some part-time learning if they choose to work or volunteer.
Whether your young person is aiming towards a specific career, aspires to a leading university, wants to go straight into work or keep an open mind, there should be something to suit. From nursing cadetships and apprenticeships in space engineering to university technical colleges and studio schools, there are many exciting opportunities to explore.
The first step is to discover which options could suit them and their future plans. Start by helping them to consider how they prefer to learn. Are they happiest learning in a classroom, do they prefer to apply their learning to real-life problems or do they learn best through doing?
If your son or daughter is happy to spend some or most of their time in a classroom, take a look at school sixth forms, sixth form colleges or further education colleges and training providers.
Sixth forms and colleges
As a rough guide, sixth forms tend to focus on academic qualifications for under 19s, with further education colleges offering vocational options to students aged 14 or 16 and over. So a sixth form might offer qualifications in physics and psychology, while a further education college might offer engineering and health and social care. You will find some crossover between what’s on offer and it’s always worth a visit to get a feel for the place. Post-16 students won’t necessarily be in lessons every day, leaving time for independent study and the opportunity to develop a range of skills through other activities.
New educational options
University technical colleges (UTCs) and studio schools are newer options in the 14 to 19 education landscape. They offer academic qualifications and practical activities combined with contributions from businesses and the feel of a workplace. Studio schools use enterprise projects to support learning, while UTCs offer technical education sponsored by a university.
Apprenticeships and traineeships
Young people who prefer to learn through doing a job might favour an apprenticeship, finding work, setting up their own business or volunteering. The most common option to learn through work is an apprenticeship, where formal learning is combined with work. Apprentices earn a minimum of £4.15 per hour (April 2020), with some earning substantially more. It is a popular option and entry can be competitive, although the opportunities are growing in number and in the range of job areas available. To cope with an apprenticeship, your young person will need to be mature enough to work nine to five and follow the rules of the workplace. They’ll also need to have a career direction in mind, at least for the next year or two. If they need more experience, confidence or additional skills to find an apprenticeship or a job, then a traineeship might help them to prepare.
Finding the right fit
The main consideration when making post-16 choices is about finding the right fit for your child so they end up somewhere they will thrive. You can help them to work out what they would enjoy, what would suit them, and how their choices fit in with any future plans. Talk to the staff at your child’s school about how they can support with this process.
You can find out more about post-16 options using the following websites:
GOV.UK www.gov.uk/browse/ education/find-course National Apprenticeship Service www.getingofar.gov.uk University Technical Colleges www.utcolleges.org Studio Schools Trust www.studioschoolstrust.org
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Funerals During Covid-19
Currently, guidelines say that funerals should continue as normally as possible and shouldn’t be delayed. You can invite a modest number of family and friends. However, individual crematoriums and cemeteries may have their own guidance based on their facilities and a risk assessment and considered when arranging a funeral. The crematorium may provide online broadcasting so mourners can watch the service without attending in person.
If the funeral is being held at a place of worship, attendees should be restricted to 30 people. Though it may need to be fewer than 30 people to allow for social distancing and in line with guidance issued for places of worship.
You must consider the wider guidelines in place at the moment, including staying alert and safe social distancing guidance, practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding physical contact and being particularly mindful of those in at-risk groups (such as those over 70, who are self-isolating or who are shielding).
The latest funeral guidance aims to balance the needs of the bereaved to mourn appropriately and respiratory hygiene requirements maintained social distancing between passengers via the while limiting the spread of coronavirus. It outlines at all times. seating positions is not possible, you should all where exceptions can be made to the current However, there are certain things to consider: consider wearing a face covering. guidance to stay at home. These exceptions only You shouldn’t attend a funeral if: • you’re displaying relate to the death of someone you live with, a any symptoms of coronavirus, even very mild What changes on the day? family member or a close friend. And if you are self- symptoms. As well as the considerations above, there are isolating or shielding and want to attend, special Those arranging the funeral should do their best to certain things you should do on the day to avoid the considerations should be made. enable you to attend if: spread of coronavirus. • you’re a family member or friend who has been • Wait outside in the car until you’re asked to enter What do I need to think about when arranging advised to shield but, having carefully considered the building by the celebrant, chapel attendant or a funeral? the risks of attending, would like to do so you’re a funeral director.
When arranging a funeral at the moment, it’s family member or friend self-isolating for 14-days • Don’t shake hands with anyone, including the worth considering the following before you contact because someone you live with or in your support minister, funeral director or other mourners. a funeral director:who you want to attend, being bubble is displaying symptoms, or because you have • Bring hand sanitiser and use hygiene products mindful of those in high-risk groups who may want been contacted by NHS ‘test and trace’ made available at the venue. to attend arranging service sheets as service books • you have returned to the UK, need to quarantine • Allow staff to open and close doors to the service are unlikely to be available – though no singing for 14 days but, as permitted on compassionate to restrict the number of people touching door will be allowed recording the eulogy on a phone or grounds by government guidance, can leave your handles. other recording device so those not in attendance place of quarantine to attend a funeral Numbers in the venue are likely to be limited. can listen or watch at another time services may • If you are normally self-isolating and someone Stick to any assigned seating plans and keep your need to be shorter so the venue can be cleaned who is shielding or clinically vulnerable is to attend distance from other mourners. You may be advised between services whether you might organise a the funeral, you are advised not to attend at the not to touch the coffin as you leave the service. celebration of life or memorial for a later date, when same time as them. When attending, you should it’s safe to do so social distancing requirements advise others that you would normally be self- Celebrations and Memorial Services whether it’s appropriate to have family members isolating. Pre-funeral and post-funeral ceremonies may bearing the coffin giving particular consideration Everyone attending must wear a face covering in be held in line with the guidance on Staying alert if anyone attending has been self-isolating as they any places of worship, the crematorium and burial and safe (social distancing). However, families live with someone displaying symptoms, or anyone group chapel – unless they have a good reason not may consider deferring a celebration or memorial advised to shield those considered vulnerable or to. service, until further social restrictions are lifted advised to shield are advised to avoid any contact and at a time when attendance can take place with the body of the person that’s died, including Travelling to the venue safely. washing, preparing and dressing. If you’ve been advised to shield or been self-isolating because you live with someone or If You Can’t Attend Can I still go to a funeral? someone in your support bubble is displaying If you can’t be at the funeral there are things you
There’s specific guidance about who can attend symptoms, then you should consider your travel to can do to help you feel like you’re a part of it. You funerals at the moment. The guidance outlines and from the venue (ideally in a car by yourself). could light a candle, or sit in quiet reflection, or do a that a modest number of family and friends may If using shared transport with mourners you reading. These can help you feel like you are saying attend, with social distancing measures, and hand don’t live with or share a bubble with, and where goodbye.
