Raising the participation age, increasing the options News
17 years old, meaning young people can no longer opt out of education or training if they wish, post-GCSE.
Comment by Katie Thorpe, Languages Teacher T
he raising of the participation age has seemed a long time coming since it was first introduced as a reform for secondary education, but finally, this September, it has arrived. This new academic year brings a big change for all those students aged 16 and under, as they must now ‘stay on’ until
As a teacher of students between 11 – 18 years old, this won’t really affect my day to day role, but it is an important change for young people across the country, as many who would have left education or training altogether, will have to reconsider their options for an extra year in the system. Hopefully though, this will lead to more young people gaining the skills they need to get ahead in their chosen job or career. Recent research from training provider Kaplan showed that over one quarter of parents are actually not aware of the change to the participation age and one in five parents with children aged 16, the first cohort to be directly affected, didn’t know either. Overall, I think the change is a positive move, but it is worrying to learn the results of research such as this and the fact that many parents are still unaware of the new rules. It is very important that all parents have the right information to be able to advise young people on the right choices. As teachers in a new term and with this new system in place, we will have to do our bit to make sure parents are aware of the changes and the different options available post-GCSE.
What the raising of the participation age means in practice is that pupils can either stay to complete A-level courses or equivalent, or can work and study simultaneously through more vocational routes, such as Apprenticeships. As
a teacher for over 17 years, I’m reminded on a daily basis of how each pupil is different to the next. Raising the participation age provides a clear framework for teenagers for another year, as well as different routes for further study and training. In fact, these changes now bring us in line with European countries and should give pupils more opportunities tailored to them individually.
Students I work with can access careers advice through colleagues at the school I work in, but naturally as part of my role I will support students in the disciplines I teach and provide them with my thoughts on the options they have available to them in this field. Speaking to young people about their future, dreams and ambitions is a really rewarding part of being a teacher and it is great to see them think about their next steps and life after they leave us. The participation age has not been raised since 1972, when I was a young child myself, and this historic change in 2013 aims to give young people the opportunity to develop the skills that they need for adult life and to help achieve a higher skilled workforce. For more vocational options such as Apprenticeships, there is a wealth of information that can be accessed through local training providers and I’d suggest teachers to become more familiar with all the options too.
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www.kaplanapprenticeships.co.uk Participation and partnerships are key to delivering school sports legacy
intention is to create a platform on which to build confidence in the children. Our experience shows beyond doubt that, with a little effort and commitment, fitness professionals, education specialists and local communities can work together to develop a lasting legacy of activity and sport for children.”
D
espite the best intentions of the London 2012 Olympic Games to ‘inspire a generation’, a survey published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in August 2013 revealed almost three quarters of under-10s and just over half of 11-15 year olds said that the Games had not inspired them to take up a sport.
No doubt those who watched the London 2012 Games were inspired by the athletes. But watching it is one thing and actually doing a sport is something else altogether different. In order for children to be truly inspired by sport they must have an opportunity to participate and not simply spectate. And partnerships between children’s activity experts, local communities and schools are the way forward to deliver a lasting sports legacy believes Dean Horridge, CEO and founder of Fit For Sport, the UK’S experts at engaging and educating children through activity.
Fit For Sport is experienced in bringing together partners with the same goals and its latest initiative with leading leisure centre
October 2013
provider Everyone Active to run Legacy Games Days for primary school children is gaining momentum. This initiative is part of their joint pledge to have ‘500,000 under-16s engaged and active’ in sport.
Legacy Games Days involve 1,000 children from a number of neighbouring schools joining together for a day of games, healthy activities and exciting races to rekindle the excitement of sport and the buzz of physical participation among primary school children.
The Legacy Games Day comprises a complete programme that is accessible to all local primary schools. Its aim is to bring a number of schools together to enjoy a memorable day of activity and sport. Fully inclusive and engaging, it promotes the Olympic message and ethos by offering a wide range of activities for all children to participate in regardless of ability. According to Horridge: “The Legacy Games brings communities together and bridges the gap between facilities, schools and experts. The activity day is designed to complement and support schools’ programmes and our
The first Legacy Games Day was held in June at the Everyone Active David Weir Leisure Centre for 1,000 pupils from 10 schools in the Sutton and London boroughs. GB Olympic athletes - gymnast Beth Tweddle and swimmer Steve Parry – joined the children in their activities and awarded medals to inspire them further. “Our school was lucky enough to attend the
‘Sutton Schools Legacy Games’ at the David Weir Leisure Centre and we really enjoyed being part of this large event, joining hundreds of children from others schools,” says Meghan Tomacki from Robin Hood Junior School in Sutton. “The event was a great success and gave all the children the chance to challenge themselves, work together in teams and feel the excitement of competing. They learned a great deal from the day and returned to school very motivated by the whole event,” she says.
The next two Legacy Games Days will be at Watford Leisure Centre Woodside on Thursday October 3 and Harrow Leisure Centre on Tuesday October 22, 2013.
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www.fitforsport.co.uk u search “Legacy Games 2013” on YouTube
www.education-today.co.uk 13
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