Tips to help choose the right options for your son or daughter

• Attend college and sixth form open days.
• Visit all the suggested schools and colleges.
• Listen to advice as long as it is impartial and up-to-date.
• Consider transport needs and travel times.
• Check Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) reports or telephone 0845 6404045. This will give you an idea of how good the school or college actually is.
• Ask about the level of care and pastoral support.
• Check out the leisure and social activities on offer.
• Confirm the length of day, the number of days per week and how long the course lasts. Unlike school, courses will not be full-time (five days a week).
• Discuss the course with students (and their parents) who are currently attending the college or sixth form.
• Ask about the school or college’s success rate.
• Check the ‘dropout’ rates for students, as this can indicate the quality of the course.
• Ask a Personal Adviser about the qualifications your daughter or son will have at the end of the course.
• Always confirm application procedures and deadlines with your child’s Connexions Personal Adviser .