Y11 Transition support OMG
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What is Y11 Transition support?
Y11 transition is the movement of young people from Key stage 4 (KS4) into key stage 5 (KS5). The government requires all young people to continue accessing learning until the age of 18, this is year 13 of study. Continued learning looks different for each young person. Some young people choose to continue to study academically linked subjects such as English Maths and Science at A-level, which they can do in school 6th form centres and in some colleges. Colleges often offer other vocationally linked courses such as hair and beauty, animal care and sports studies. Some young people choose to continue to learn whilst working, and apprenticeships are a great way to gain further often specialised qualifications whilst earning.
How does it work?
Key stage 4 usually starts in year 10, although in many schools' young people are asked to make choices about the courses they would like to continue to study from as early as the end of year 8. For young people this can be an exciting time as they look to their future and the endless possibilities ahead. For others this can be a process that can cause anxiety as choices and actions have more profound implications.
As a service we can support our young people to reflect on their choices and help to bring excitement in their journey ahead. We are not trained guidance advisers, and we need to be mindful of this when offering support. However, we can use tools such as the Norfolk County Council Help You Choose website and the National Careers Service to bring clarity around their decisions and support the work of school careers teams. Web resources such as 'I can be a' can support those that are unsure of their next steps to explore their hopes and dreams.
Who and how can this intervention benefit?
Many of the anxieties around transition is about the unknown. By using these tools and helping to map out a young person's next steps we can support them to think about the details that matter - Where will I be going after my exams? How will I get there, what qualifications or equipment might I need, and what do I need to know to help me thrive in Post-16 education?
How can schools/setting support with transition.
Support for our young people with transition from Key stage 4 to Key stage 5 (Post-16) will come from many directions. This can be from school, from those around them at home, and their extended family networks. Our work will include collaborations with other services to ensure that we identify the right support at the right time, whether this is at home, school, during holiday time or during the school year.
Schools will usually have a robust offer for students moving though key stage 4 and into Post-16 study. Key people such as Form Tutors, Heads of Year and school Careers Advisers are usually on hand to give personal advice and support. Additionally, the school will usually offer targeted parents' advice evenings, in addition to opportunities to visit or talk to a range of further study providers, including Independent Learning Providers, Colleges, Sixth Forms and organisations offering apprenticeships
How can families support with Transition into post 16 education?
Families can often play a pivotal role in influencing a young person's attitude to transition. Parents that are knowledgeable about the options in their local area and are supportive of the young person's voice can help to reduce the anxiety felt by young people by reducing the unknown and enabling young people to know someone is walking along side them. This can be tough where education may have been historically difficult for a family, or where the young person themselves has individual needs that benefit from more specialised advice. Education and Family Workers can help to reduce or overcome some of these barriers, opening a greater world of increased independence and opportunity for the young person. By working with families in addition to their young people, we can help create a sustainable plan, supporting whole families to access the support they need..
How can you help CYP understand, be ready for and get the most out of transition from KS4 to KS5
The young person's voice is so important. By listening to their ideas and concerns we can often identify transition as a key concern. All young people will have different concerns and ideas. Expertise in listening, reflecting and supporting, using a range of interventions aims to support and create clear and achievable goals for the young person, their family and the Post-16 education provider
What information/support is available nationally?
The national clear service is a great place to start thinking about choices: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
What information/ support do we have in Norfolk?
For those young people looking for inspiration around their next steps, try looking at https://www.icanbea.org.uk/ . This website based in Norfolk and Suffolk has lots of ideas and examples to think about.
Young people looking for courses and opportunities In Norfolk can visit the Help You Choose website https://www.helpyouchoose.org/ that local Post-16 provides use to share information about future pathways. You can find information on local courses, events and information evenings, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities. It has resources specially for SEND young people and all young people can reach out for advice and guidance from trained local careers advisers.
Key contacts / How to refer
- Contact the SEND and Inclusion Line at 0333 313 7165.
- Speak with your school's Community Team Manager or Early Help Consultant.
- Raise the topic at your Team Around the School (TAS) meeting to discuss suitability and next steps.
