We work in partnership with parents/carers, care providers and other agencies to ensure that pupils are supported holistically. We do this by the use of home-school communications, newsletters, parents’ evenings, school website and events. We share course information, open days and careers fairs to help inform the decision-making process.

We send opportunities to parents/carers which will enrich, enhance and add to the curriculum offered at Kingsweston, including open days, activities and events. We remind our parents/carers that with the right support, many young people with special needs can find work and be supported to live independently and participate in the community. We remind parents/carers that at Kingsweston we promote gender-neutral careers and request that parents/carers do the same. We encourage parents with personal budgets to use this to access activities that promote greater independence and to learn important life skills which are transferrable to the world of work. A young person's life inside and outside school needs to include opportunities that enhance their personal development and the chance to explore activities that extend their interests.

We initially start the discussions about life after school (CEIAG) from year 8. During EHCP annual reviews, particularly during years 10, 12 and 13, we invite local further education colleges to participate in these discussions. We also include information about the financial support available to stay in education post-16, including the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.

Raising the Participation Age (RPA)

The law requires all young people in England to continue in education or training until at least their 18th birthday. RPA is not quite the same as the school leaving age as it doesn’t mean young people have to stay on at school as young people have the option to choose alternative education and training routes. At the school leaving age, which is at the end of Year 11, students may choose to leave school and move onto different education and training routes. Here are some of the options for young people that are defined as suitable ‘education and training’ routes;

• Study full-time at school, college or with a training provider and complete academic or technical education and training.
• Full-time employment or volunteering (full-time is counted as more than 20 hours a week) but it must be combined with part-time study or training.
• A full-time apprenticeship or traineeship.
• A full-time supported internship.