Aim Higher FAQs
Aimhigher
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to aim higher?
You probably want your children to have a happy and secure future.
One way to achieve this is by encouraging them to make the best of their learning opportunities - to Aimhigher.
Sadly, not enough young people in the UK continue their education or training after 16. This is a serious problem. Employers need many more people than they can find with higher-level skills. As well as this, many of the old industries that employed people with practical craft skills are in decline.
So, to succeed today young people (and their parents) have to think carefully about what further education or training and higher education can offer them.
It may be surprising, but by the time children are 11 years old they have already decided what kind of careers they can't do. This means families and schools have to work hard to show them that anything is possible - if only they aim higher.
What are the benefits of aiming higher?
A university degree opens doors to new careers, new friends and a wealth of experiences. So, why not encourage your children to aim higher?
We know the economic world is changing, bringing fierce competition from other countries like China, India and from Eastern Europe. To compete the UK has to develop a workforce with higher levels of skill and knowledge. Low skill occupations are in decline and employers want people with more specialised skills and abilities. Young people with a degree and some useful experience behind them will be in real demand.
Research shows that people who have a degree also enjoy their life more, earn more and live longer than their peers. They suffer less than the rest of the population from depression or divorce.
Graduates from university can earn 50% more over their lifetime than friends who get lower qualifications. Graduates are then in a position to provide more for their own families.
Is higher education affordable?
There has been a lot of information in the press about the changes to financial support for university.
This information has frightened some parents. The fact is that if your family is on a low income your child will receive more financial support than before to go on to higher education. This does include a student loan but the money is not paid back until the student is earning - and earning a reasonable amount.
Students have two main costs:
- Tuition fees
- Living costs - including books etc
They can get help from three sources
- Student loans to cover tuition fees and maintenance - repayable when they start work
- A maintenance grant - this is not repayable
- A bursary from their HE institution - not repayable
To find out more in detail see:
Does your child have a disability?
Moving on to higher education can be a daunting prospect for disabled learners. Colleges and universities all have learning support units. These help disabled students to establish their learning needs, and to ensure they have the support they need to complete their course.
The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities is called Skill. It provides very useful information for disabled students and their families. Its website is www.skill.org.uk
Key decision points for aiming higher
The first big step for young people is to choose the right pathway at the end of year 9.
Young people have more choice now and they will need to talk to you about their options.
To make a good choice they have to know their strengths and interests and understand their own learning style - how do they learn best?
Schools hold parents evenings at this time, and produce option choice/Pathway booklets to help you. There is usually a Connexions Personal Adviser at these events to discuss how qualifications relate to career interests.
A good choice at this point means more motivation and achievement. Your child will have a better chance of going on to the education or training of their choice at 16.
Some young people think that the next time they have to make a career decision is at the end of year 11. How wrong they are!
They need to work on their decisions about the future throughout year 10. Applications to college and for apprenticeships can start as early as October in year 11.
It's a confusing time and your influence is vital at this stage. To help with the decision you can visit college open days and go to parents' evenings.
Young people are given a booklet called Your Choice - opportunities in Tameside.
At this stage some will choose a training (work-based learning) pathway and some will choose an education pathway. Both routes can offer opportunities for higher-level qualifications later.
You need to know that to go on to higher education later your child needs to aim for 5 GCSEs grades A-C (or an equivalent qualification). If these include English and Maths it will really broaden their career choices.
Whether your child chooses education or training there will be some financial support. Students may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance. Applications for this take place early so be on the alert for information about it. You can find more about options at 16 and the EMA at:
The years between 16 and 18 are vital for young people wanting to move on to higher education.
These two years give young people the chance to build on their skills and experiences. They learn in more depth and explore their subject areas.
They need to be motivated and organised! All courses and training expect young people to complete work to deadlines - good training for life ahead.
Right from the beginning they need to achieve good grades in their coursework, assignments and tests. This is because these marks are taken in to account for their final grades.
College/sixth form students will get help from their Tutors and from Aimhigher Learning Mentors to find out more about higher education and making applications.
Apprentices who want to move on to NVQ level 3/4 have to talk to their employers and to their work based learning provider about the opportunities to do this. With an NVQ level 3 they can move on to a Foundation Degree, an HNC or a part-time degree course.
Entry requirements for university vary from course to course, and from university to university. You need to encourage your child to do some serious research into these before they apply. They may also need to get advice and guidance from a Connexions Personal Adviser.
What does Aimhigher do to help?
Aimhigher gives funds to each school and college in Tameside and they use these funds to put on activities:
- To boost achievement in exams
- To motivate young people to aspire to greater things
- To provide information, advice and guidance
- To visit universities and other places where higher education takes place
Aimhigher Tameside organises local events to encourage young people to think positively about their future. These events are all free. They are advertised through the local schools and colleges. You will see reports about these activities in the local press.
In Tameside we want to encourage different kinds of people to go to university. Many of the activities are for families that have had no experience of higher education - but need to find out about it.
Aimhigher can help parents to find out what they need to do to help their children on their way.
Aimhigher is beginning to have an impact. In Tameside more young people apply for university places every year. Some have A - levels or vocational qualifications like BTECs and some have NVQ qualifications.
All of them are proud of their achievements and know that higher education will help them achieve their dreams.
Find out more for your family from the following websites:
What can you do to help your child to aim higher?
- Keep up your child's motivation and achievement. Take an interest in their activities at school. Praise and reward them for success.
- Inspire your child to do the best for themselves. Talk positively about their achievements and the achievements of other members of your family. Why not check which celebrities went to university? - you may be surprised.
- Get them in to a routine for homework and revision. Regular work gets results. Revision for exams needs to start as early as possible - in a room without distractions.
- Seek out the people who can help your child. This might be Tutors, Learning Mentors, College Careers Advisers or Connexions Personal Advisers. Get expert guidance.
- Find out what you need to know to help them make decisions about the future. Never been to a university yourself- why not go to an open day? These are advertised on the university websites.
- Find out what it might cost for your child to go to university. It may be more manageable than you think.
- Teach them budgeting, basic housework and car maintenance! A student who can cook, do basic cleaning and washing and look after themselves will live more cheaply, suffer from less stress and have more friends to share accommodation with!
Will aiming high mean leaving home?
There are local universities in Bolton, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Huddersfield. Some local colleges offer HNDs and Foundation Degrees. So, Tameside students can stay at home and study for a university degree. On the other hand, some people think that living independently enhances the student experience so why not visit a local university's Open Day and find out about student life. These are open events advertised on their websites.