No deadline for application - first come first served

[pumpkinpillow]

Is that normal?
My year 11 son is looking at post 16 options.
We've looked at some 6th forms for A levels and still need to look at colleges that offer vocational courses.
For one we can only attend the Open Day in February. I was looking at their website yesterday and it says the students should apply as soon as possible as courses fill up quickly.

I was quite surprised. I would have thought it would be normal to attend and Open Day and then make your application.

I'm anxious that it might be too late for him already.

Apply now, you can always withdraw after the open day if you don't like the place.

He will yes, I just hope it's not already too late.
I had no idea that it would be first come first served - how do you know these things if you've never looked at applying for vocational courses before?

I was expecting to be given that information at the Open Day.

Contact the college and see if they have careers or advisers available you can book with.

Schools usually run careers fairs that colleges attend.

Don’t worry too much but have a back up option/course/college.

Yeh my dc had to make their post-16 applications well before Christmas IIRC.

Agree with others though, apply now. He can hold multiple offers. School should have advised wrt autumn deadlines tbh but I am sure it will be fine if you apply now.

Thank you.
I think there was a careers fair at school, but my son wasn't particularly engaged with it. He's a different kettle of fish to my older son!

We live rurally, there aren't many back up options!

I'll try not to stress (though that seems to be my default setting these days) and get him on to it this evening.

I've been carefully noting the dead lines for the A level colleges/6th forms, but am new to applying for vocational courses.

I'm aware he can apply to many w/o committing.

We did have a parents info evening at school, but I don't recall being told about this - there was a lot to take in though.

Agree with applying now, we started looking in spring of y10 for autumn y11 applications, a Feb open day may well be aimed at catching y10 students or y11 applicants returning for a second visit. I wouldn't worry too much, they do all urge you to apply early but it doesn't mean they will be full this soon

I agree with the others, apply now and withdraw / change course options after the open day if need be.

To be honest lots of vocational courses will have spaces eve post GCSE results, but you don't want to cut it that fine just in case.

Doesn't help you now of course, but I'd recommend to anyone to go to open days in y10 to get a feel for what is out there.

We went to a couple in year 10, but most have been year 11.

We had booked to go to the Open Day at the end of this month but I have a clash now which is a shame.

I love that there are so many choices for our kids now, but it's hectic.

Yes, it's a big decision, we didn't realise there were so many options till we started looking either.

Yes, if not going down the A levels route there is a lot to find out, and you often don't know what you don't know. e.g. there may be a lot less practical than you realise unless you ask detailed questions. Asking to see a timetable can help.
Similarly how assignments work is often not well explained.

Back up choices could be a level 3 or 2 in the same vocational area.

it is difficult and can seem overwhelming. The aim imo is to make sure there’s options.

ive done many a careers fair and it is hard to get young people to engage. They grab the sweets or pens and run.

I would apply for all reasonable places, then cancel applications as and when you find they don't suit. It gives the college a rough idea on popularity of courses and possible staffing and marketing in future ie no one is applying for textiles but games design is over subscribed. Which schools they are getting applications from so can roughly plan how many interviewers to send over X amount of days if doing it in the school.

It may be first come first served to get his name on the waiting lists for courses but all applicants need to get the correct grades and many will pull out in favour of different courses or colleges.

Thank you.

They grab the sweets or pens and run
Yes, that's pretty much the summary I got from DS2.

He is quite interested in doing a vocational course so that's good, he is very much less interested in actually doing research and actively applying. I need to get the balance right in supporting him.

and you often don't know what you don't know

That's exactly it. I thought the Open Day served this purpose.

Anyway, I'll calm down and add this to my urgent things to do list......

@pumpkinpillow this should not be on your ToDo list, it needs to be on the DCs. By all means be a listening ear, taxi driver, companion on visits and ask questions about their choices and play devil's advocate but this isn't like Primary or Secondary school applications and needs to come from the young person. If they don't have the get up and go for it they won't have the get up and go for the more independent nature of FE study. If they miss the application window or get a course they don't want that is their first lesson and may places offer 'swap not drop' in the first 1/2 term anyway.

Does he know what vocational course he is interested in?
BTEC or T level?

Has he completed any work experience?

And it’s ok to change your mind.

I think it's clear that I am not applying on his behalf.
He does not know what he wants to do (A levels or vocational course).
I will not sit back and leave it entirely up to him, he has not yet reached that level of maturity at 15.

By adding to to my todo list I meant that I need to sit with him this evening and help him with his application. I'm fine with him not yet having the get up and go, I am supporting him to see what all the option are.

Not yet no. I was under the impression that the Open Day would help with this.
I understand now that this is not how it works.

His school has not offered work experience so far. Well, he had a 'go to work with your parent day' which tbh was an utter waste of everyone's time.

Sounds like he could do with some careers advice. Schools should have one available. If not then the college will help. You don’t have to wait till open day.

in the meantime get your dad to think about subjects he enjoys at school, his interests and what his skills are. National careers service website has a thorough careers quiz he can try and it will generate career suggestions. Avoid neutral answers if possible.

Its useful when parents are engaged with the process too.

in the meantime get your dad to think about subjects he enjoys at school😅

He can keep out of it!

Seriously, thanks. That's good advice. He is leaning towards electrician/construction so he does have an idea. I will see what his school offers career advice wise.

Oops auto correct ds!

Great choice.
There’ll be apprenticeships too in construction/ electrical.

I personally have a different view.

Many 15yos do not have the skills to do this independently. Many do, yes, but those that are a bit less mature very much may need to be pushed along the process by parents.

The choice of college and course should be the young person's with guidance where needed, but I think sensible parents will keep an eye on deadlines etc and make sure they aren't missed.

Remember also that a chunk of DC aren't even going for Level 3 courses.

We've just done the application together.
I am glad I sat with him so I could check he'd completed it correctly.