Top Tips for Choosing the Right College for Your Child – Choosing a college isn’t an easy decision. There are a lot of factors that come into play. Aside from the obvious such as location and transport links for convenience, your child will need to think carefully about their long-term goal and how their college choices will help them get there. It’s ultimately a decision that they will need to make by themselves. To support them in the process, here are some points worth considering.
Choosing the Right College – Careers Service
After school there’s a lot of responsibility that will be passed on to your child and they will need to take ownership of their learning and prepare for the future. A good careers service can help them make strides towards where they want to be.
Choosing the Right College – Review the Stats
There is no telling how well your child will do but high standards of teaching and an ambitious atmosphere will certainly help. To make that call and choose the right college, it’s a good idea to review pass rates, OFSTED reports and student outcomes.
Choosing the Right College – The Social Side
While of course their grades matter, college is more than just a place to help your child get from point A to point B. It’s a new environment where they will be able to meet lots others like themselves and make new friends. The social side of college is what will make it the best few years of their life. However, if your child isn’t a big fan of change, they may prefer going to their school sixth form where they are already accustomed to school life and the environment.
Choosing the Right College – Student Support
In the space of the two years that they are at college, your child will have deadlines and/or exams to juggle. Everything is also a level up from what they did at GCSE. This also makes college a stressful time which is why it’s important that they have understanding teachers and a supportive culture around them. When selecting a college, student support is something that they may want to consider. How well they understand mental health, their level of pastoral care and the support that they offer.
Choosing the Right College – SEND Support
If your child has special educational needs, they will need to make sure that the college they choose can make the necessary adjustments and support them through their journey.
Choosing the Right College – The Courses on Offer
The biggest thing that will dictate where your child chooses to study are the courses offered. They will need to think about their long-term goal and the qualifications that they need to get there.
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