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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

How/where to learn about post A Level opportunities?

6 replies

smittyjules · 02/08/2026 13:26

My son is going into year 11, I appreciate this is possibly a bit too young but there aren’t many adults I’ve spoken to on the topic who don’t say something along the lines of wishing they’d known more about different opportunities at a younger age.

My son is a mostly 6/7 grade student across the board, might be able to push higher in some topics if he tries. He will likely stay on to do A levels, he is not interested in uni at all.

Apprenticeships seem the natural thing to explore
but I’m just wondering what your schools have done to broaden horizons? Ours is like my old school in that there is a strong emphasis on uni, are there any national careers fairs, useful websites, work experience opportunities you’re aware of to help give young people some inspiration?

My son is at the age where if it comes from me it doesn’t quite have the same impact…I’m wondering if there is anything he can witness first hand to get him thinking.

OP posts:
smittyjules · 02/08/2026 13:40

Thank you, I hadn’t even thought of UCAS I associated that with uni.

OP posts:
HighburyHope · 02/08/2026 13:48

UCAS is actually pretty useful. They run a roadshow of careers fairs under the “UCAS Discovery” banner aimed at Y11-13.

See also on their website these Springpod virtual work experience opportunities:

https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/virtual-work-experiences?query=

Search | Virtual work experiences | UCAS

Not sure what to do? Explore subjects, locations, universities, and colleges

https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/virtual-work-experiences?query=

smittyjules · 02/08/2026 14:11

Thank you that’s great, London is very convenient for us.

OP posts:
HighburyHope · 02/08/2026 20:06

You’re welcome. Good luck - it’s an exciting time as they begin to work out who they are going to be. If you aren’t already on the Education boards, consider joining a year-group thread as they are a good sounding board for these sorts of ideas, as well as helpful for keeping each other sane in exam years Grin

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