Thousands of the county's pupils will be celebrating today (Thursday 22 August) as results come in for their GCSEs examinations.Full county data is not available until later in the year but Warwick...
Thousands of the county's pupils will be celebrating today (Thursday 22 August) as results come in for their GCSEs examinations.
Full county data is not available until later in the year but Warwickshire head teachers and the local authority are anticipating Warwickshire's results will again be above the national averages.
This comes on the back of further good news for Warwickshire’s 16-18 year olds following the announcement that more young people in the county are participating in apprenticeships (7.6%) compared to the national average (5.5%) which has significantly reduced the number of NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in Warwickshire.
Cllr Colin Hayfield, Warwickshire County Council, Portfolio Holder for Education and Learning, said: "Congratulations to everyone collecting their results today. This is a really important time for pupils who will be full of nervous excitement.
"The long hours of hard work and dedication of all the teaching staff, plus the support of parents, that contributed to the students' success should also be celebrated today"
“I wish everyone the best of luck for the future whether that will be in continued full-time education, an apprenticeship or training.”
Commenting on the reduction in the number of NEETS, Cllr Hayfield added.
“It’s really pleasing to see how well 16-18 year olds are performing across the board in Warwickshire. While we rightly celebrate our success in this year’s A levels, we also need to recognise the work that has been done to reduce the number of NEETs in the county and get young people into apprenticeships and make sure that their training continues. It bodes very well for the future of Warwickshire that we are performing so well, clearly above the national average, in this field as well.”
Around 5,600 sixteen-year-olds sat their GCSEs in schools this year. In addition, further education colleges and training providers supported a number of 16-year-olds with GCSEs and equivalent qualifications, such as BTECs and other practical and applied learning qualifications.
Under the government's legislation to raise participation and increase the nation's level of education and skills, all young people completing Year 11 will be expected to continue in education or training until they reach at least their 18th birthday. They can stay in full time education or training at school, a Sixth Form College, an FE College, a training provider or start an apprenticeship or a job with training.
For anyone who does not achieve the grades they hoped for or has not yet secured a post-16 destination, Prospects Independent Careers Services can support. Prospects are commissioned by Warwickshire County Council to provide free independent careers guidance and support to 16 to 18 years who have yet to secure a post 16 destination. Tel: 01926 461600 or 02476 321 950.
The following website contains information to help with searching and applying for an apprenticeship https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
Alternatively, The National Careers Service can be contacted to access free information and advice about education, training and work on Tel: 0800 100 900.