Our school newsletter provides you with monthly updates and free resources on how you can develop parental engagement in your school or college. ​If there are any items or topics that you’d like us to review in an upcoming newsletter, please do send us a note at info@theparentsguideto.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help where we can.
Click here to subscribe.
Browse through our most recent newsletters below.
November 2022 newsletter
November newsletter 2022
Social media:
We’re dedicating November to RSE on social media, so they’ll be bite size pieces of information every day helping parents get familiar with the RSE curriculum and how to talk about it.
In addition, we’ll have soundbites on all the upcoming events, including national bullying week, Green Careers Week, world kindness day and the start of the world cup. Why not join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and please encourage your parents to follow us too.
The Parents' Guide to
November newsletter 2022
Dear Schools and Colleges,
We hope you’ve had a fantastic half term break. November is a busy month, and we’ve got information on:
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Ways to help teens manage their mental health
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Technical career paths and Green Careers Week 2022
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What parents should know about Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
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T-Levels – why it can be a terrific sixth form option for some students
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Do feel free to share the links with your parents via social media, in newsletters or on your website and get in touch if there’s anything you’d like us to cover next month.
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Green Careers Week 2022
2 November is National Stress Awareness Day, an opportunity to highlight how stress can affect people and what to do to manage stress before it becomes a problem. The Parents’ Guide to Teenage anxiety and stress shows parents how to spot when their teens are getting too stressed, short-term strategies to reduce stress, long-term interventions to build mental resilience and where to get help when needed.
This is available for parents to buy on our website, but for the next fortnight we’re offering it to schools free of charge to share with their parent networks via your website, newsletters or social media. Click here to download your copy.
Members can access the guide at any time throughout the year by logging onto the members’ area of our website and selecting downloads/health and wellbeing.
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Green Careers Week 2022
Green Careers Week is a fantastic new initiative being launched between 7th and 12th November 2022 to provide young people with an insight into careers that specifically protect the environment and will help the UK achieve its pledge of reaching Net Zero by 2050.
Hopefully businesses will have been in touch with you to arrange visits (or let you know of local events) where teens can find out more about how they can get actively involved in careers that focus on positive environmental impact and change when they finish school. Get involved with Green Careers by:
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Following @Green_Careers, @CareersWeek and @parentsguideto on Twitter to explore what’s on offer and download resources, films and opportunities as they’re released
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Use the Green Careers Week resources to help guide conversations with teens about their future and whether green careers interest them - www.greencareersweek.com
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Look out for #GreenCareers to see how conversations are trending
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If you're based near Lincoln, why not pop along to the Green Careers Week employer event on 9 November between 10.00 and 14.00 at Lincoln College
Find out more in our article The Parents’ Guide to Green Careers Week or download our "Green Careers Week" handout for parents by visting our free resources page for schools.
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Technical Career Pathways
For those schools with access to London, The Science Museum is launching a new gallery on 3 November aimed at 11-16 year olds, celebrating the vital but often hidden role of technicians. Collaborations with Marvel Studios, the NHS, National Grid and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre will help bring the overlooked but crucial world of technicians to life, with visitors able to try one-of-a-kind interactive exhibits which mimic the tasks technicians perform every day and meet real-life technicians in the gallery.
It is technicians in the creative industries who make the incredible scenes from blockbuster movies possible. Visitors can re-enact the role of a film-set lighting technician, work as a post-production sound technician and use the precision of a visual effects technician to skilfully integrate virtual objects into footage from Marvel Studio’s Black Panther film.
More details are here.
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T Levels
T Levels are an exciting new option in sixth form education that provide a recognized qualification tailored to industry needs and skills. It’s a great choice for students that want to learn practical skills relevant to certain jobs, regardless of whether they want to go on to study for a degree, take alternative further education or go straight into the workplace after sixth form.
Because they were only introduced in 2020, parents might be unsure about why T Levels are a valuable option to consider, so we’ve summarized highlights in our article: The Parents’ Guide to T-Levels – what they are and could they be right for my child.
Our specialist guide with full details is available for parents to buy on our website (members can access this by logging into the members’ area under “my guides”), including:
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What's involved with studying T Levels and where it might lead afterwards
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The subject choices available as of 2022
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What they’ll learn in the course
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The qualifications needed to take them
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The Transition Programme for those struggling to meet minimum entry requirements
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The industry placement
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A summary of alternative options if T Levels are not right for them
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Medical/Oxbridge university application
RSE was introduced as a compulsory education element in September 2020, but some parents feel concerned about content. In The Parents’ Guide to Relationships and Sex Education – what does this mean for my teen and how can I help as a parent, we’ve taken a close look into what is covered in RSE, why it’s important and how parents can support their teen at home by providing a safe place for them to talk about things they may be struggling to understand. ​
The aim of RSE is to give young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds, whether with family, friends, professionally or intimately. It is an essential component of personal development and covers a wide range of topics and builds on some subjects that have already been introduced in primary school or earlier in secondary school. This includes learning about:
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families and people that care for them;
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respectful relationships, including friendships;
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online relationships and media;
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being safe (including risk areas such as drugs and alcohol); and
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intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual health.
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Members can login to the members area (downloads/personal development) for factsheets on “What is RSE?” and “Ten tips for talking to your teen about RSE”.
​
​
School membership
Find out how we can support you with a year-round solution to positively increasing parental engagement, meeting inspection criteria, and demonstrating compliance with Gatsby Benchmarks in relation to options after GCSE/sixth form along with wellbeing advice for parents of teens.
Book a 15-minute discovery call with us or get more details on our website.
​
​
Turbo charge your teen's health this autumn
It seems easier to eat well and be active during the summer months, so parents might be interested in The Parents’ Guide to turbo charge your teen’s health this autumn outlining five key areas to focus on now the nights are drawing in and the weather is cooler.
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​
​
What's coming up this month
2 November is National Stress Awareness Day, an opportunity to highlight how stress can affect people and what to do to manage stress before it becomes a problem. Download The Parents’ Guide to Teenage anxiety and stress to share with your networks.
7-12 November: Green Careers Week focusing on net zero jobs and green career pathways. Parents might be interested in The Parents’ Guide to Green Careers Week outlining what it’s all about.
14-18 November – don’t forget to use #StopBullying in your social media post to highlight anti-bullying week
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We’ll be back next month with more, meantime, enjoy November and have a wonderful half-term ahead.
​
Stay safe and well. Warmest wishes,
Vanessa and Darius
"Parental engagement has a large and positive effect on children’s learning"
Department for Education, Gov UK
October 2022 newsletter
October newsletter 2022
Useful links:
​
-
Introducing apprenticeships: a great pathway to career success
-
The Parents' Guide to understanding whether an apprenticeship could be the best choice for your teen
-
The Parents' Guide to helping your teen apply for an apprenticeship
-
The Parents’ Guide to turbo charge your teen’s health this autumn
​
​
Social media:
With winter approaching, the evenings drawing in and the weather turning cooler, we're dedicating October to giving one easy idea each day for something teens could do to boost their wellbeing. Our challenge is for them to choose five favourites by the end of the month to do regularly so they put themselves on the right track for good health. Why not join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and please encourage your parents to follow us too.
The Parents' Guide to
October newsletter 2022
Dear Schools and Colleges,
University isn’t for everyone, so this month we’re focusing on apprenticeships, which can be a fantastic choice for some students, either Post-16 or Post-18. There’s also some tips on boosting teen health as winter approaches and some ideas on how they should start preparing to revise with mocks looming shortly.
​
​
Apprenticeships – a great career pathway for school leavers
Apprenticeships provide a way of combining learning with on-the-job training, which helps build solid, professional skills transferable from one organisation to another. Apprenticeships can last from one to five years – and result in a professional qualification.
​
Apprenticeships vary in the qualifications that can be achieved, length of commitment and balance between work and study. Apprenticeships are available after GCSE and are a great alternative to full-time study for those students that prefer practical experience over classroom learning. Similarly, apprenticeships can be a great choice after sixth form/college. Employers pay a salary and tuition fees are covered by the employer and the government.
​
Some parents may consider apprenticeships a second-rate option over other routes into the workplace. This could well be influenced by the reputation, or their personal experience, of apprenticeships when they were leaving school. Much has changed since then and nowadays apprenticeship can provide a first-rate opportunity to “learn while you earn”, gain qualifications and obtain first-hand workplace skills.
​
Articles that you may want to share with your parents:
-
Introducing apprenticeships: a great pathway to career success
-
The Parents' Guide to understanding whether an apprenticeship could be the best choice for your teen
-
The Parents' Guide to helping your teen apply for an apprenticeship
​
​
​
The Parents’ Guide to Apprenticeships
An introduction to apprenticeships for parents, including
​
-
Types of apprenticeship – the qualifications needed at each entry stage, what further qualifications are on offer and how long each apprenticeship lasts
-
The pros and cons – why apprenticeships are ideal for some teens but not for others
-
Degree apprenticeships – how they differ from full-time university degrees
-
How to research an apprenticeship
-
Top ten apprenticeship providers
-
The application process and how it works
-
Helping to prepare teens for interview enabling them to make the best impression
​
Available free on our membership site​ or parents of non-members can buy in our online shop.
​
​
​
Based in the Midlands?
Visit the National Apprenticeship & Education Event at Millennium Point in Birmingham on Friday 7th October from 09.30-15.00 – it’s FREE to attend!
​
Since 2014, this event has been bringing thousands of teachers, parents, careers leaders and students together with UNIVERSITIES, EMPLOYERS & TRAINING PROVIDERS at Millennium Point in Birmingham.
Your students can find out more about how apprenticeships work by talking to employers, universities and training providers. Top UK employers will be there, including the BBC, The NHS, Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Nova Training and many more.
​
​
​
​
Medical/Oxbridge university application
Just a reminder that the 15 October deadline’s fast approaching! Anyone needing some last-minute help with their personal statement might find The Parents’ Guide to personal statements - mindmap useful.
​
​
​
Mock exams ahead
Mocks usually take place as the end of the autumn term or at the start of January. As teens are now getting used to their new timetable for the year, it’s a good idea for parents to be aware that they should also be incorporating revision along with homework during evenings and weekends. The Parents’ Guide to revision timetables could be useful in developing dedicated time to allocate to revision.
​
As ever, there are ways parents can help too. The Parents’ Guide to five proven revision strategies is a good starting point for them to help their teen discover which revision styles work best for them.
​
​
​
The Parents’ Guide to homelife and exam revision
This guide shows how parents can support their teens in making study and revision time as productive and useful as possible, helping them keep a balanced lifestyle, and hints and tips on providing a homelife that encourages success. We’ve mostly focused on long-term support on what parents can do at home to help their teens achieve their potential, but there are also some pointers on how to help just ahead of examinations when the pressure is especially intense.
​
Both the GCSE and sixth form guides are available free on our membership site or parents of non-members can buy in our online shop.
​
​
​
School membership
Find out how we can support you with a year-round solution to positively increasing parental engagement, meeting inspection criteria, and demonstrating compliance with Gatsby Benchmarks in relation to options after GCSE/sixth form along with wellbeing advice for parents of teens. Book a 15-minute discovery call with us or get more details on our website.
​
​
​
Turbo charge health this autumn
It seems easier to eat well and be active during the summer months, so parents might be interested in The Parents’ Guide to turbo charge your teen’s health this autumn outlining five key areas to focus on now autumn is here.
​
​
​
Inspiration for half term fun?
With half-term ahead, parents may want some ideas of things to do with their teen during the break. The Parents’ Guide to things to do this October half-term has ideas for being active or taking it quietly, and includes options for all budgets.
​
​
​
What’s coming up
October is ADHD Awareness Month (#ADHDawareness), aiming to raise awareness of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which affects both children and adults around the globe. The theme for 2022 is: ADHD: Understanding a shared experience.
​
3-9 October is Dyslexia Awareness Week, this year’s theme is: Breaking Through Barriers. Dyslexia influences at least 1 in 10 people and is a genetic difference in an individual’s ability to learn and process information. There is an online webinar, ideal for teachers, on Thursday 6 October from 18.00-19.00 providing a range of activities, resources, tips and techniques to create a dyslexia friendly learning environment in the classroom. You can book here.
​
5 October – National Teachers’ Day!
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Members – find full details of all October’s big events on the membership site.
​
We’ll be back next month with more, meantime, enjoy October and have a wonderful half-term ahead.
​
Stay safe and well. Warmest wishes,
Vanessa and Darius
"Parental engagement has a large and positive effect on children’s learning"
Department for Education, Gov UK
September 2022 newsletter
September newsletter 2022
Useful links:
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​
​
Social media:
We’re getting the year off to a great start with a tip each day on how to set up for the best outcomes in the new term. Why not join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and please encourage your parents to follow us too.
The Parents' Guide to
September newsletter 2022
Dear Schools and Colleges,
Welcome back to the autumn term. We hope you’ve had a relaxing and restful holiday. We’ve included resources in this newsletter to help parents get their teens off to a good start in the new academic year and we’re very excited because we’ve just launched our members’ site – more details below of click here to book a 15 minute discovery call.
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Getting ready for the new term and new year
Parents should check their teens have everything they need to start the new academic year on the right foot. This includes how they feel, what they’ll wear, any equipment they may need and, perhaps most important of all, a positive mindset. We’ve included our recommendations in: The Parents’ Guide to Going back to school and they may find our study essentials guide useful.
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Anxious about the new term?
Many teenagers are pleased to go back to school with the chance of regular contact with their friends and a familiar, structured environment. But that's not true for everyone! For parents worried about their teen showing signs of anxiety about heading back to the classroom, we’ve written an article with some practical ideas of what to look out for and what they can do at home to help them feel comfortable and less worried.
The Parents’ Guide to helping your teen if they’re anxious about the new term
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Join us on social media
We’re getting the year off to a great start with a tip each day on how to set up for the best outcomes in the new term. Why not join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and please encourage your parents to follow us too.
​
​
​
Disappointing results over the summer?
We were thrilled to feature on BBC London News for GCSE results day explaining about alternative options if results didn’t go as planned. Any parents of students still struggling to pin down their next steps will find our free download: The Parents’ Guide to What’s next helpful, as it summarizes all options Post 16 and Post 18.
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The Parents' Guide to study and homelife
The new academic year provides a chance to start great new habits. The Parents’ Guide to Study and homelife (both GCSE or sixth form versions) shows parents what they can do at home to support their teens. It includes advice on how they can keep them healthy, providing the best homelife to support doing well at school, what they can do to help their teen study, how to help them build mental resilience and where to get help when needed. Free for school members or parents of non-member schools can buy in our online shop.
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University application
For sixth formers thinking of applying to university this year, they’ll need to start focusing on what to include in their personal statement do take a look at The Parents’ Guide to Personal Statements. Our free personal mind-map is also a great way for parents and teachers to talk through what they should include and start thinking about how they should phrase their interests and achievements. It’s also a good way to identify gaps while there’s still time to fill them too! For medical/Oxbridge applicants, the 15 October deadline’s fast approaching, other applications need to meet UCAS’s new later deadline of 25 January 2023.
The Parents’ Guide to University details the different university types, how to prepare for open days, what to include in a personal statement, the UCAS application process and considerations when choosing course types. There’s also The Parents’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships which outlines why this “earn while you learn” route to a degree is a great choice for some students but less suitable for others. Both are free for members or parents of non-members can purchase online in our shop.
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The Parents’ Guide to Standing out from the crowd – for parents of Yr 10 - 13
As of this term, we’ve launched our school membership package - a year-round solution to positively increasing parental engagement, meeting inspection criteria, and demonstrating compliance with Gatsby Benchmarks. As well as all relevant guides in the KS4 or KS5 package, we’ll also provide website, email and social media content to make it easier for you to reach out to parents on a regular basis in ways they find useful.
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Find out more about The Parents’ Guide to school membership (including samples) on our website or click here to book a 15 minute discovery call.
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What’s coming up
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (#CCAM), aiming to raise awareness of cancer in children. In the UK and Ireland, around five children are diagnosed with cancer each week.
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12-18 September is Sexual Health Week, with Brook’s Big RSE Lesson live on 14/09 at 10.00.
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Members – find full details of all September’s big events on the membership site.
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Stay safe and well. Warmest wishes,
Vanessa and Darius
​
​
"Parental engagement has a large and positive effect on children’s learning"
Department for Education, Gov UK
July 2022 newsletter
July newsletter 2022
Downloads:
Useful links:
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The Parents' Guide to Preparing my child for GCSE Results Day - what can I do to help?
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Our free checklist of useful buys for leaving home
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The Parents’ Guide to helping your teen find work experience
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Social media:
Throughout July and early August we’ll be posting an idea a day to improve wellbeing over the holidays as well as building qualities that help teens grow their independence. Later in August, we’ll be covering Results Day (both GCSE and A level) as well as ideas of what teens should be doing to prepare for the new term. Please encourage your parents to get involved on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get a great tip each day.
The Parents' Guide to
October newsletter 2022
Dear Schools and Colleges,
University isn’t for everyone, so this month we’re focusing on apprenticeships, which can be a fantastic choice for some students, either Post-16 or Post-18. There’s also some tips on boosting teen health as winter approaches and some ideas on how they should start preparing to revise with mocks looming shortly.
​
​
Apprenticeships – a great career pathway for school leavers
Apprenticeships provide a way of combining learning with on-the-job training, which helps build solid, professional skills transferable from one organisation to another. Apprenticeships can last from one to five years – and result in a professional qualification.
​
Apprenticeships vary in the qualifications that can be achieved, length of commitment and balance between work and study. Apprenticeships are available after GCSE and are a great alternative to full-time study for those students that prefer practical experience over classroom learning. Similarly, apprenticeships can be a great choice after sixth form/college. Employers pay a salary and tuition fees are covered by the employer and the government.
​
Some parents may consider apprenticeships a second-rate option over other routes into the workplace. This could well be influenced by the reputation, or their personal experience, of apprenticeships when they were leaving school. Much has changed since then and nowadays apprenticeship can provide a first-rate opportunity to “learn while you earn”, gain qualifications and obtain first-hand workplace skills.
​
Articles that you may want to share with your parents:
-
Introducing apprenticeships: a great pathway to career success
-
The Parents' Guide to understanding whether an apprenticeship could be the best choice for your teen
-
The Parents' Guide to helping your teen apply for an apprenticeship
​
​
​
The Parents’ Guide to Apprenticeships
An introduction to apprenticeships for parents, including
​
-
Types of apprenticeship – the qualifications needed at each entry stage, what further qualifications are on offer and how long each apprenticeship lasts
-
The pros and cons – why apprenticeships are ideal for some teens but not for others
-
Degree apprenticeships – how they differ from full-time university degrees
-
How to research an apprenticeship
-
Top ten apprenticeship providers
-
The application process and how it works
-
Helping to prepare teens for interview enabling them to make the best impression
​
Available free on our membership site​ or parents of non-members can buy in our online shop.
​
​
​
Based in the Midlands?
Visit the National Apprenticeship & Education Event at Millennium Point in Birmingham on Friday 7th October from 09.30-15.00 – it’s FREE to attend!
​
Since 2014, this event has been bringing thousands of teachers, parents, careers leaders and students together with UNIVERSITIES, EMPLOYERS & TRAINING PROVIDERS at Millennium Point in Birmingham.
Your students can find out more about how apprenticeships work by talking to employers, universities and training providers. Top UK employers will be there, including the BBC, The NHS, Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Nova Training and many more.
​
​
​
​
Medical/Oxbridge university application
Just a reminder that the 15 October deadline’s fast approaching! Anyone needing some last-minute help with their personal statement might find The Parents’ Guide to personal statements - mindmap useful.
​
​
​
Mock exams ahead
Mocks usually take place as the end of the autumn term or at the start of January. As teens are now getting used to their new timetable for the year, it’s a good idea for parents to be aware that they should also be incorporating revision along with homework during evenings and weekends. The Parents’ Guide to revision timetables could be useful in developing dedicated time to allocate to revision.
​
As ever, there are ways parents can help too. The Parents’ Guide to five proven revision strategies is a good starting point for them to help their teen discover which revision styles work best for them.
​
​
​
The Parents’ Guide to homelife and exam revision
This guide shows how parents can support their teens in making study and revision time as productive and useful as possible, helping them keep a balanced lifestyle, and hints and tips on providing a homelife that encourages success. We’ve mostly focused on long-term support on what parents can do at home to help their teens achieve their potential, but there are also some pointers on how to help just ahead of examinations when the pressure is especially intense.
​
Both the GCSE and sixth form guides are available free on our membership site or parents of non-members can buy in our online shop.
​
​
​
School membership
Find out how we can support you with a year-round solution to positively increasing parental engagement, meeting inspection criteria, and demonstrating compliance with Gatsby Benchmarks in relation to options after GCSE/sixth form along with wellbeing advice for parents of teens. Book a 15-minute discovery call with us or get more details on our website.
​
​
​
Turbo charge health this autumn
It seems easier to eat well and be active during the summer months, so parents might be interested in The Parents’ Guide to turbo charge your teen’s health this autumn outlining five key areas to focus on now autumn is here.
​
​
​
Inspiration for half term fun?
With half-term ahead, parents may want some ideas of things to do with their teen during the break. The Parents’ Guide to things to do this October half-term has ideas for being active or taking it quietly, and includes options for all budgets.
​
​
​
What’s coming up
October is ADHD Awareness Month (#ADHDawareness), aiming to raise awareness of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which affects both children and adults around the globe. The theme for 2022 is: ADHD: Understanding a shared experience.
​
3-9 October is Dyslexia Awareness Week, this year’s theme is: Breaking Through Barriers. Dyslexia influences at least 1 in 10 people and is a genetic difference in an individual’s ability to learn and process information. There is an online webinar, ideal for teachers, on Thursday 6 October from 18.00-19.00 providing a range of activities, resources, tips and techniques to create a dyslexia friendly learning environment in the classroom. You can book here.
​
5 October – National Teachers’ Day!
​
Members – find full details of all October’s big events on the membership site.
​
We’ll be back next month with more, meantime, enjoy October and have a wonderful half-term ahead.
​
Stay safe and well. Warmest wishes,
Vanessa and Darius
"Parental engagement has a large and positive effect on children’s learning"
Department for Education, Gov UK
October 2022 newsletter
October newsletter 2022
Useful links:
​
-
Introducing apprenticeships: a great pathway to career success
-
The Parents' Guide to understanding whether an apprenticeship could be the best choice for your teen
-
The Parents' Guide to helping your teen apply for an apprenticeship
-
The Parents’ Guide to turbo charge your teen’s health this autumn
​
​
Social media:
With winter approaching, the evenings drawing in and the weather turning cooler, we're dedicating October to giving one easy idea each day for something teens could do to boost their wellbeing. Our challenge is for them to choose five favourites by the end of the month to do regularly so they put themselves on the right track for good health. Why not join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and please encourage your parents to follow us too.
The Parents' Guide to
October newsletter 2022
Dear Schools and Colleges,
University isn’t for everyone, so this month we’re focusing on apprenticeships, which can be a fantastic choice for some students, either Post-16 or Post-18. There’s also some tips on boosting teen health as winter approaches and some ideas on how they should start preparing to revise with mocks looming shortly.
​
​
Apprenticeships – a great career pathway for school leavers
Apprenticeships provide a way of combining learning with on-the-job training, which helps build solid, professional skills transferable from one organisation to another. Apprenticeships can last from one to five years – and result in a professional qualification.
​
Apprenticeships vary in the qualifications that can be achieved, length of commitment and balance between work and study. Apprenticeships are available after GCSE and are a great alternative to full-time study for those students that prefer practical experience over classroom learning. Similarly, apprenticeships can be a great choice after sixth form/college. Employers pay a salary and tuition fees are covered by the employer and the government.
​
Some parents may consider apprenticeships a second-rate option over other routes into the workplace. This could well be influenced by the reputation, or their personal experience, of apprenticeships when they were leaving school. Much has changed since then and nowadays apprenticeship can provide a first-rate opportunity to “learn while you earn”, gain qualifications and obtain first-hand workplace skills.
​
Articles that you may want to share with your parents:
-
Introducing apprenticeships: a great pathway to career success
-
The Parents' Guide to understanding whether an apprenticeship could be the best choice for your teen
-
The Parents' Guide to helping your teen apply for an apprenticeship
​
​
​
The Parents’ Guide to Apprenticeships
An introduction to apprenticeships for parents, including
​
-
Types of apprenticeship – the qualifications needed at each entry stage, what further qualifications are on offer and how long each apprenticeship lasts
-
The pros and cons – why apprenticeships are ideal for some teens but not for others
-
Degree apprenticeships – how they differ from full-time university degrees
-
How to research an apprenticeship
-
Top ten apprenticeship providers
-
The application process and how it works
-
Helping to prepare teens for interview enabling them to make the best impression
​
Available free on our membership site​ or parents of non-members can buy in our online shop.
​
​
​
Based in the Midlands?
Visit the National Apprenticeship & Education Event at Millennium Point in Birmingham on Friday 7th October from 09.30-15.00 – it’s FREE to attend!
​
Since 2014, this event has been bringing thousands of teachers, parents, careers leaders and students together with UNIVERSITIES, EMPLOYERS & TRAINING PROVIDERS at Millennium Point in Birmingham.
Your students can find out more about how apprenticeships work by talking to employers, universities and training providers. Top UK employers will be there, including the BBC, The NHS, Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Nova Training and many more.
​
​
​
​
Medical/Oxbridge university application
Just a reminder that the 15 October deadline’s fast approaching! Anyone needing some last-minute help with their personal statement might find The Parents’ Guide to personal statements - mindmap useful.
​
​
​
Mock exams ahead
Mocks usually take place as the end of the autumn term or at the start of January. As teens are now getting used to their new timetable for the year, it’s a good idea for parents to be aware that they should also be incorporating revision along with homework during evenings and weekends. The Parents’ Guide to revision timetables could be useful in developing dedicated time to allocate to revision.
​
As ever, there are ways parents can help too. The Parents’ Guide to five proven revision strategies is a good starting point for them to help their teen discover which revision styles work best for them.
​
​
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The Parents’ Guide to homelife and exam revision
This guide shows how parents can support their teens in making study and revision time as productive and useful as possible, helping them keep a balanced lifestyle, and hints and tips on providing a homelife that encourages success. We’ve mostly focused on long-term support on what parents can do at home to help their teens achieve their potential, but there are also some pointers on how to help just ahead of examinations when the pressure is especially intense.
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Both the GCSE and sixth form guides are available free on our membership site or parents of non-members can buy in our online shop.
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School membership
Find out how we can support you with a year-round solution to positively increasing parental engagement, meeting inspection criteria, and demonstrating compliance with Gatsby Benchmarks in relation to options after GCSE/sixth form along with wellbeing advice for parents of teens. Book a 15-minute discovery call with us or get more details on our website.
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Turbo charge health this autumn
It seems easier to eat well and be active during the summer months, so parents might be interested in The Parents’ Guide to turbo charge your teen’s health this autumn outlining five key areas to focus on now autumn is here.
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Inspiration for half term fun?
With half-term ahead, parents may want some ideas of things to do with their teen during the break. The Parents’ Guide to things to do this October half-term has ideas for being active or taking it quietly, and includes options for all budgets.
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What’s coming up
October is ADHD Awareness Month (#ADHDawareness), aiming to raise awareness of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which affects both children and adults around the globe. The theme for 2022 is: ADHD: Understanding a shared experience.
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3-9 October is Dyslexia Awareness Week, this year’s theme is: Breaking Through Barriers. Dyslexia influences at least 1 in 10 people and is a genetic difference in an individual’s ability to learn and process information. There is an online webinar, ideal for teachers, on Thursday 6 October from 18.00-19.00 providing a range of activities, resources, tips and techniques to create a dyslexia friendly learning environment in the classroom. You can book here.
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5 October – National Teachers’ Day!
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Members – find full details of all October’s big events on the membership site.
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We’ll be back next month with more, meantime, enjoy October and have a wonderful half-term ahead.
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Stay safe and well. Warmest wishes,
Vanessa and Darius
"Parental engagement has a large and positive effect on children’s learning"
Department for Education, Gov UK
July 2022 newsletter
The Parents' Guide to
July newsletter 2022
Dear Schools and Colleges,
The summer holidays are almost here and we’re sure you’re looking forward to the break. Just before you head off, we’ve got a couple of things we think your parents might find useful to review while school’s out. Yes, it’s homework for parents!
The Parents’ Guide to What’s Next - for parents of Yr 10 - 13
Now is a good time for parents of current Y10 and Y12 to start thinking about what their teen’s next steps are after GCSE or sixth form. The Parents’ Guide to What’s Next provides a summary of all options Post 16 and Post 18, so parents know what choices their teens have and what to bear in mind when making those decisions. Even though summer 2023 seems a way off, teens will be making many of those decisions during the forthcoming autumn and spring terms.
It’s free too! You can either share the link on our website with your parents or download a copy and share across any of your favourite platforms, such as your website, social media, newsletters or email.
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School membership – Just for you!
As of September 2020, we’re introducing our school membership packages - a year-round solution to positively increasing parental engagement with minimum time-commitment from staff. As well as all relevant guides in the KS4 or KS5 package, we’ll also provide website and email content to make it easier for you to reach out to parents on a regular basis with timely resources, articles and handouts in ways parents find useful. It will also help you show evidence of meeting Gatsby Benchmarks, especially 1, 2 and 3.
Find out more about The Parents’ Guide to school membership (including samples) on our website and we’re happy to set up a call if you have any questions – just email vanessa@theparentsguideto.co.uk
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Sixth form Results Day 2022 – for parents of Yr 13
For parents with teens that have applied to university this year, rather than wait until results day itself on 18 August, help them plan ahead just in case their teen doesn’t get the results they need. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst is our motto! It’s all in The Parents’ Guide to Results day 2022. If you don’t already have a licence for this, parents can buy directly from our website for just £4.99.
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Don’t forget that Adjustment has been withdrawn as of this year. There is no longer an option for those who get results exceeding their predicted grades and wishing to apply to a university with a higher entry level to hold onto their existing offer for five days whilst seeking out an alternative option. If they wish to apply elsewhere, they will need to reject their offer and start afresh through Clearing.
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GCSE Results Day 2022 – for parents of Yr 11
For parents of teens getting GCSE results on 25 August, they might be interested in our article The Parents' Guide to Preparing my child for GCSE Results Day - what can I do to help?.
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Moving out? – for parents of Yr 13
If their teens are leaving home over the summer to start university (or perhaps an apprenticeship) in the autumn, they might be interested in our free checklist of useful buys so their teen has everything to hand, whether that’s bedding to get a cosy night’s sleep, pots and pans to cook up a storm or paperwork to make sure their bank accounts and proof of ID are all in good order. We’ve also got an article too – click here to access.
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Summer Work Experience – for parents of Yr 10 - 13
Summer is a great time for teens to get some work experience which will be a unique differentiator when applying for further education or job opportunities, as well as giving them some first-hand experience of the world of work. Face to face opportunities are also becoming more widely available post Covid, so parents might be interested in The Parents’ Guide to helping your teen find work experience. We’ve also updated our list of organisations offering virtual work experience placements and opportunities for the summer, so do check out The Parents' Guide to Virtual work experience and share with anyone you think will find it useful.
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The Parents’ Guide to Standing out from the crowd – for parents of Yr 10 - 13
Some parents worry that teens should focus on academics rather than co-curricular during GCSE and sixth form years – we explain why co-curricular is essential to success. We show how taking part in different hobbies and interests can improve their skillset (such as being able to communicate well, work with others, problem solve, be adaptable) and develop personal strengths (such as improving confidence, being resilient, compassionate, and empathetic). The holidays provide a fantastic opportunity for students to try out some new interests when they’ve got plenty of spare time – and we help parents understand how different hobbies are beneficial: The Parents’ Guide to Standing out from the crowd
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Summer fun – for parents of Yr 10 - 13
Throughout July and early August we’ll be posting an idea a day to improve wellbeing over the holidays as well as building qualities that help teens grow their independence. Later in August, we’ll be covering Results Day (both GCSE and A level) as well as ideas of what teens should be doing to prepare for the new term. Please encourage your parents to join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get a great tip each day.
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Happy holidays!
We hope you enjoy the rest of term, have a fabulous holiday and we’ll see you again in time for the autumn start. Stay safe and well. Warmest wishes,
Vanessa and Darius
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"Parental engagement has a large and positive effect on children’s learning"
Department for Education, Gov UK
June 2022 newsletter
June newsletter 2022
School membership (new for sept 2022)
Useful links:
The Parents' Guide to
June newsletter 2022
Dear Schools and Colleges,
We’re well into examination season and looking forward to half term next week with the excitement of the extended Jubilee weekend ahead. Let’s hope the sunshine lasts! This month we’re covering a wide range of topics for parents across Years 10-13:
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Online safety
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Work experience – face to face and virtual
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Helping teens with exam stress and study leave
We’re also thrilled to launch our 2022/2023 specialist guides for parents and membership packages for schools so you can start planning for the next academic year ahead of the summer holidays.
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Online safety
Teens spend a lot of time online – both studying and socializing. They’re probably more comfortable behind the screen than they are face-to-face, but are they as safe as they feel? What lurks unseen beyond the screen?
There’s so much parents can do to make sure their teen doesn’t fall victim to fake news, leaving a digital footprint they’ll regret later in life, becoming addicted to gaming or getting bullied or sexually abused.
In some ways, online safety is a bit like crossing the road. It’s potentially fraught with danger and there’s no failsafe solution; but with sensible strategies and common sense, it’s possible to navigate the dangers safely. Share The Parents' Guide to keeping your teen safe online for practical steps parents can take to make sure their teens stay safe.
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#StaySafeOnline
Because online safety is so important, throughout June we’ll be blitzing our social media channels with daily tips to help parents make sure their teen is doing what they can to stay safe online. Please encourage them to join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get a great tip each day – you might find them useful too!
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Work experience
In The Parents’ Guide to work experience we explain the importance of getting work experience and different ways teens can get it. Many schools offer dedicated weeks to work experience across certain year groups in the summer term, which is fantastic. We also include advice to parents on thinking about this throughout the year from Year 10 and upwards. Face to face work opportunities are opening up again now that Covid restrictions have been lifted, but there’s still a wealth of virtual work experience available and we outline the benefits and places where teens might benefit from online opportunities in The Parents’ Guide to virtual work experience.
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School membership and licence packages
As of September 2022, we’re thrilled to launch our members’ area for schools which will provide a year-round solution to positively increasing parental engagement with minimum time-commitment from staff, following school feedback in our survey earlier this year.
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We’ll provide website and email content and social media comms to make it easier for schools to reach out to parents on a regular basis with timely resources, articles and handouts in ways parents find useful. Content will cover actions for parents during school transition points and key times throughout the academic year and will help schools meet Gatsby Benchmarks, especially 1, 2 and 3.
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Membership will include:
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Licences for our specialist guides personalised with your school/college logo to share freely with parents, carers and other interested parties connected to the school in any way you find useful – including via your website, intranet site, google drive and through email, newsletters or social media.
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Better support for schools and parents in further reliable resources , including a directory of useful websites aimed at supporting schools and colleges with parental engagement​
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An annual calendar recommending which resources to share with parents at which times of the year
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Suggested drafts of emails for parents
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Support for schools with social media, including monthly campaign ideas and suggested posts
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Downloadable factsheets, handouts and other resources (covering careers, post-school options and teenage wellbeing)
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An interactive index linked to our articles (regularly updated by us throughout the year) giving parents the guidance they need with the latest information.
Find out more about The Parents’ Guide to school membership on our website.
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Examination support
Examinations are well underway, and we’ve included support articles for parents in case they missed them earlier in the term:
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We’ll be back one last time this year ahead of the summer holidays, meantime email us at info@theparentsguideto.co.uk if there’s something you’d like to see in our next newsletter.
Stay safe and well. Warmest wishes,
Vanessa and Darius
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"Parental engagement has a large and positive effect on children’s learning"
Department for Education, Gov UK
May 2022 newsletter
May newsletter 2022
School membership (new for sept 2022)
Useful links:
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The Parents' Guide to
April newsletter 2022
Dear Schools and Colleges,
Welcome back to the summer term. We hope you’ve all had a fantastic Easter break. This month, we’re super excited to announce the September 2023 launch of our new membership package for schools - you can check it out here. We’ve also got support for you and your parents on:
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The exams ahead and how parents can help their teens with study
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Helping teens with exam stress
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Helping teens use study leave effectively
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National Walking Month – it’s #WalkThisMay
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Preview of the launch of our new guides for 2022/2023 academic year
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Examination term
After a two-year “Covid suspension”, external examinations will be back this term for years 11 and 13. Exams are always stressful, and this year might be more stressful for some because of the two-year break. We’ve got some advice for parents on how they can help their teens prepare for exams, as well as important information on how they can spot the signs of stress, what to do at home and where to go for help if needed. Please share our free articles (linked below) with them. These may also be useful for Years 10 and 12, who will be taking mocks this term too:
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#WalkThisMay and #Try20
May is #NationalWalkingMonth, with the theme #Try20 -– encouraging people to walk for 20 minutes each day. Throughout May, we'll be posting tips across our social media channels on the benefits of walking, whether that's for the mind, body or environment. Walking is a great habit to get teens into - it's free, fab for wellbeing and helps them feel better in many different ways. Please encourage your parents to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – and do sign up too, so you can share our tips with your pupils.
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Our new guides for 2022/2023!
Next month we’ll be launching our 2022/2023 guides ready for the next academic year. The Parents’ Guide to provides parents of teenagers with the help they need to give their children the right advice about next steps at 16 and 18 years old, as well as advice on teenage health and wellbeing. Parents can buy our specialist online guides for personal use direct from our website
For parents of Years 10-13
£12.99 – The Parents’ Guide to Apprenticeships – full edition (including how apprenticeships work, different levels of entry – including degree and non-degree apprenticeships, the application process and how to prepare, how to find an apprenticeship and the pros and cons of apprenticeships)
£9.99 – The Parents’ Guide to Non-degree Apprenticeships
£9.99 – The Parents’ Guide to Standing out from the crowd (how non-academic interests and hobbies develop character and soft skills)
For parents of Years 10-11
£11.99 – The Parents’ Guide to Study and exam revision – GCSE (how parents can improve their teen's mental and physical wellbeing and create the right environment to study at home in Years 10&11)
£9.99 – The Parents’ Guide to Post-16 Options: full edition (all choices at 16, including which qualifications are available; where to study; how study choices can impact Post-18 Options; 2023 Results Day)
£4.99 - The Parents’ Guide to Post-16 Options: summary (a summary of all qualification options to consider after GCSE)
£4.99 – The Parents’ Guide to T Levels (T Levels are an exciting new option in sixth form education that provide a recognised qualification tailored to industry needs and skills, including 45 days industry placement)
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For parents of Years 12-13
£11.99 – The Parents’ Guide to Study and exam revision – sixth form (how parents can improve their child’s mental and physical wellbeing and create the right environment to study at home in Years 12&13)
£4.99 – The Parents’ Guide to Post-18 Options (a summary of all options available at 18)
£12.99 – The Parents’ Guide to University (outlines factor to consider when choosing a university, including types of universities, the importance of open days, understanding league tables and university fees, entitlements for those with learning difficulties, what to think about when selecting courses, the UCAS application process and timetable, what makes a great personal statement, Results Day 2023 and next steps depending on grades achieved – including Clearing and other options, how to prepare for university life)
£9.99 – The Parents’ Guide to University Applications
£4.99 – The Parents’ Guide to Results Day 2023 (preparing for all possible outcomes, understanding Clearing, next steps depending on grades achieved – including other options, how to prepare for university life, such as finances, living arrangements and what to pack)
£9.99 – The Parents’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships (including how apprenticeships work, with a focus on degree apprenticeships, the application process and how to prepare, how to find an apprenticeship and the pros and cons of apprenticeships compared to university degrees)
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School licences and support with parental engagement (new for Sept 2022!)
If you would like to share any of our specialist guides with your parents free of charge, we offer school licence membership. School license membership includes permission to share the guides with parents, carers and other interested parties connected to your school in any way you find useful – including via your website, intranet site, google drive and through email, newsletters or social media. We add your school logo to the cover page to demonstrate the license has been paid and free sharing is approved. We also provide support to help you engage parents, including draft emails, articles, downloadable fact sheets and social media suggestions. Full details are here with samples!
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We’ll be back in June, meantime email us at info@theparentsguideto.co.uk if there’s something you’d like to see in our next newsletter.
Stay safe and well. Warmest wishes,
Vanessa and Darius
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"Parental engagement has a large and positive effect on children’s learning"
Department for Education, Gov UK
April 2022 newsletter
The Parents' Guide to
April newsletter 2022
Dear Schools and Colleges
This month, we’ve included support for you and your parents on:
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Stress Awareness Month
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Talking to teens about what’s happening in Ukraine
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Virtual work experience - updates for Spring
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Standing out from the crowd
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School licences
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Stress Awareness Month
April is stress awareness month - raising awareness and creating solutions for rising stress levels. Stress is a particular problem for teenagers, manifesting itself in a variety of ways including inability to sleep, poor concentration and regularly feeling on edge, anxious, nervous and/or irritable. Causes include the pressure to succeed, comparisons with others (most teens live their lives publicly on virtual platforms), family issues, significant life changes (parents divorcing, moving home, changing school) and world events (most recently compounded by the two-year global Covid pandemic and events in the Ukraine). The Young Minds charity has pages for parents with ideas on how they can talk to, help and support their teens.
Stress can’t be avoided but it can be managed and building mental resilience is key to this. Adopting small habits that promote wellbeing and doing them on a daily basis helps to increase positive mindsets. These small habits cover a broad range of activities from expressing gratitude, relaxing, getting physical and eating well. You can download our wellbeing calendars for a [25 or 50 day] programme that teens and parents can try together by visiting: www.theparentsguideto.co.uk/school-newsletter
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A tip each day can lead the way
Throughout April we’ll be marking #NationalStressAwarenessMonth on our social media channels with one stress-busting idea every day to provide an arsenal of techniques to reduce stress and build resilience. so do encourage your parents to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – and please sign up too because we’re #BetterTogether.
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Events in Ukraine
The internet and social media are covering events as they unfold in Ukraine, and this can be upsetting for teens who may feel bombarded by the intensity of images they are seeing, especially after all they’ve experienced with the two-year Covid pandemic. For parents that want help talking to their teens about what’s going on, there’s guidance on YoungMinds.org, British Red Cross and BBC that they might find useful.
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Virtual Work Experience
We’ve updated our list of organisations offering virtual work experience placements and opportunities, so do check it out here and share this article with anyone you think will find it useful. In many cases, students need to register interest early to secure their place later in the year, so the spring holidays might be a good time to do this.
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Standing out from the Crowd
Getting broad experience helps with applications – whether that’s for jobs, apprenticeship or further education. Qualifications are important, but so is what’s happening outside the classroom too. Parents might be interested in buying The Parents’ Guide to helping your child Stand Out from the Crowd, which contains suggestions for activities teens can enjoy – explaining why they might also prove useful in helping them stand out from others, and identifying which soft skills and character traits they’ll develop in the process.
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School licences
If you’d like to share any of our paid specialist guides with your parents free of charge, we offer the option for schools to buy a licence. A school license includes permission to share our guides with parents, carers and other interested parties connected to your school in any way you find useful – including via your website, intranet site, google drive and through email, newsletters or social media. We add your school logo to the cover page too!
Our range includes:
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The Parents’ Guide to Results Day 2022 (for those who have applied to university this year);
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The Parents’ Guide to Apprenticeships
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The Parents’ Guide to Post-18 Options (a summary of all options available at 18);
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The Parents’ Guide to Post-16 Options: full edition (all choices at 16, including which qualifications are available; where to study; how study choices can impact Post-18 Options);
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The Parents’ Guide to Standing out from the crowd (how non-academic interests and hobbies develop character and soft skills – suitable at GCSE and sixth form)
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Click here to see some samples and learn more.
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School licence April discount
In the lead up to examination in the summer, we are offering schools the opportunity to purchase licences for The Parents’ Guide to Study and exam revision (GCSE) and The Parents’ Guide to Study and exam revision (sixth form) at a discount during April. Whilst parents can’t revise for their children, there are lots of ways they can help them at home to increase their chance of success and put them on a path to lifelong healthy habits. This includes setting up the right routines, checking what they know and helping them remember things, and providing the right homelife so that they can be at their most alert, healthy and resilient. There are also suggestions on how to support their mental and physical wellbeing, with a dedicated section on coping with exams and exam stress.
Usually priced at £79.99 per licence, we are offering licenses at £49,99 for orders placed during April 2022 so that you can share these guides with your parents free of charge. Alternatively, you can recommend these guides to your parents to buy personally from www.theparentsguideto.co.uk/guides at £9.99 each.
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Thank you
A huge thank you to all of your that filled out our feedback survey. You should all have received your free Awareness Day Calendar by now. If you haven’t, please check your junk mail (you may need to add us to your safe senders list) but if it’s not there, email vanessa@theparentsguideto.co.uk and we’ll put that right as soon as we can.
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We’ll be back in May, meantime email us at info@theparentsguideto.co.uk if there’s something specific you’d like to see in our next newsletter.
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Stay safe and happy, Vanessa and Darius