Welcome to our Parent and Carer Zone
We’re here to give you all the facts about higher education and support you in supporting your child. There is a LOT of information out there about university and everything that comes with it, so we've picked out the key areas that can make things a little clearer.
We know it is difficult advising your young person so take a look around this zone to learn about finance, application processes and hopefully become more confident in guiding your child to make the best decisions for them.
COVID-19 Information
Following the closure of schools and the cancellation of all examinations and assessments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in response to the COVID19 outbreak, the UK government and Ofqual have asked education providers to provide a fair and objective grades for GCSE’S, A Levels, Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ) and Advanced Extension Award (AEA) in Math. These grades will be based on your child’s previous attainment (from GCSE’s and/or mock exams), non-exam assessment such as coursework, general performance and your predicted grades. These grades will be available on the scheduled results dates (A Level results date 13th August 2020 and GCSE results date 20th August 2020). If your child is not satisfied with their given grades there will be an appeals process through the education provider and/or an option to sit formal exams in Autumn 2020 or summer 2021. People who chose to sit the exams will have the choice of using whichever grade best reflects their ability. The Government and Ofqual are working with education providers to determine a way of grading vocational programmes such as BTEC’s, we will publish the information here as soon as possible. Your child may benefit from a discussion with you regarding their options and support whilst they evaluate their decision.
What this means for UCAS and university applications:
To ensure the health and safety of all participants, UCAS have postponed all ‘UCAS higher education exhibitions’ until 31st July 2020. New dates will be announced in the summer for anyone wishing to reschedule. UCAS have also requested that all universities stop offering unconditional places on programmes or making any amendments to their offers; this is to ensure that applicants do not rush to make decisions, it is vital that all applicants take time to consider all options that are available to them to ensure that they are making the right choice for their future.
If your child has already accepted a university offer and has concerns about the impact of COVID19 on the scheduled start date it is advised to contact the university for up to date advice and guidance. At present all universities plan to launch the 2020/21 academic year as scheduled in September 2020.
FE students who have not yet applied to university:
If your child was due to start their UCAS applications in the next academic year (from September 2020) but have concerns about the impact of this years predicted results please do not worry. If your child does not feel like their results are reflective of their work there will be an option to sit exams in the Autumn; the college or sixth form will provide your child with details of this once they open again. There will also be an option to sit exams in 2021. It is also important to remember that UCAS applications are not based solely on grades, personal statements will have a huge impact on the decision making processes at all universities, so there now have an opportunity to consider what will go into your child’s personal statement, enhance their skills, take up new hobbies and- if they are healthy and able to, why not get involved in safe volunteering opportunities within your community (please ensure that any volunteering or hobbies that you or your family does reflects safe practices during the COVID19 outbreak) to enhance personal statements even more.
Young people in year 10 and 11
Hopefully your schools have advised you about the examination alterations in response to the COVID19 outbreak. If you still have questions please contact your school for information and advice. If your child has concerns about the impact of this years predicted results please do not worry. If your child does not feel like the results are reflective of their work there will be an appeals process and/or an option to sit exams either in Autumn 2020 or Summer 2021 and the college or sixth form will provide your child with details of this once they open. If your child was hoping to begin sixth form or college in September 2020 please contact the school or college to find out their latest enrolment information. Please remember, these are unprecedented times; all schools and colleges are making adjustments and amendments to ensure that your child will still be able to access and enjoy their further education experience.
The most important thing to do is make sure that your young person feels safe, happy and confident in the decisions that they are making about their future- a comfortable, peaceful chat could help to provide any reassurances that they may need during this time.
We’re here to give you all the facts about higher education and support you in supporting your child. There is a LOT of information out there about university and everything that comes with it, so we've picked out the key areas that can make things a little clearer.
We know it is difficult advising your young person so take a look around this zone to learn about finance, application processes and hopefully become more confident in guiding your child to make the best decisions for them.
COVID-19 Information
Following the closure of schools and the cancellation of all examinations and assessments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in response to the COVID19 outbreak, the UK government and Ofqual have asked education providers to provide a fair and objective grades for GCSE’S, A Levels, Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ) and Advanced Extension Award (AEA) in Math. These grades will be based on your child’s previous attainment (from GCSE’s and/or mock exams), non-exam assessment such as coursework, general performance and your predicted grades. These grades will be available on the scheduled results dates (A Level results date 13th August 2020 and GCSE results date 20th August 2020). If your child is not satisfied with their given grades there will be an appeals process through the education provider and/or an option to sit formal exams in Autumn 2020 or summer 2021. People who chose to sit the exams will have the choice of using whichever grade best reflects their ability. The Government and Ofqual are working with education providers to determine a way of grading vocational programmes such as BTEC’s, we will publish the information here as soon as possible. Your child may benefit from a discussion with you regarding their options and support whilst they evaluate their decision.
What this means for UCAS and university applications:
To ensure the health and safety of all participants, UCAS have postponed all ‘UCAS higher education exhibitions’ until 31st July 2020. New dates will be announced in the summer for anyone wishing to reschedule. UCAS have also requested that all universities stop offering unconditional places on programmes or making any amendments to their offers; this is to ensure that applicants do not rush to make decisions, it is vital that all applicants take time to consider all options that are available to them to ensure that they are making the right choice for their future.
If your child has already accepted a university offer and has concerns about the impact of COVID19 on the scheduled start date it is advised to contact the university for up to date advice and guidance. At present all universities plan to launch the 2020/21 academic year as scheduled in September 2020.
FE students who have not yet applied to university:
If your child was due to start their UCAS applications in the next academic year (from September 2020) but have concerns about the impact of this years predicted results please do not worry. If your child does not feel like their results are reflective of their work there will be an option to sit exams in the Autumn; the college or sixth form will provide your child with details of this once they open again. There will also be an option to sit exams in 2021. It is also important to remember that UCAS applications are not based solely on grades, personal statements will have a huge impact on the decision making processes at all universities, so there now have an opportunity to consider what will go into your child’s personal statement, enhance their skills, take up new hobbies and- if they are healthy and able to, why not get involved in safe volunteering opportunities within your community (please ensure that any volunteering or hobbies that you or your family does reflects safe practices during the COVID19 outbreak) to enhance personal statements even more.
Young people in year 10 and 11
Hopefully your schools have advised you about the examination alterations in response to the COVID19 outbreak. If you still have questions please contact your school for information and advice. If your child has concerns about the impact of this years predicted results please do not worry. If your child does not feel like the results are reflective of their work there will be an appeals process and/or an option to sit exams either in Autumn 2020 or Summer 2021 and the college or sixth form will provide your child with details of this once they open. If your child was hoping to begin sixth form or college in September 2020 please contact the school or college to find out their latest enrolment information. Please remember, these are unprecedented times; all schools and colleges are making adjustments and amendments to ensure that your child will still be able to access and enjoy their further education experience.
The most important thing to do is make sure that your young person feels safe, happy and confident in the decisions that they are making about their future- a comfortable, peaceful chat could help to provide any reassurances that they may need during this time.
Fees and FinancesClick here to watch for 'Student Finance Explained 19/20'
Student Finance Application Journey Quick Start Finance Guide Click here to see how students are assessed and paid |
Application ProcessClick here for qualification levels breakdown
Click here for the UCAS Application Flowchart Applying to University Resource University Open Day Tips |
Helpful Guides |
