Website launched for concerned school leavers

A new website dedicated to supporting school leavers has been launched.

The website, launched by Staffordshire County Council to coincide with the build up to GCSE results day on Thursday 21 August, gives young  people inspiration and advice about the range of options they can take after school, whatever their grades.

Each year, thousands of young people don’t explore their options because they haven’t enjoyed school or aren’t expecting to pass, or are anxious about taking the next steps.

The website brings together all the options available to everyone, whatever grades they get. 

It includes all the less traditional routes and showcases what learning after 16 is really like from the perspective of young people themselves.

Chris Purcell (pictured) is a tutor at Chameleon School of Construction in Burton-upon-Trent. 

Chris left school with no qualifications and choose an alternative route himself.

Now, he now teaches young people practical construction skills whose talent would have gone to waste if only the traditional post-school courses were available.

Chris said: “I really didn’t get on at school, left early and then spent time labouring on building sites until someone said that I could learn a trade.

“I immediately said that I couldn’t because I genuinely thought that I couldn’t do anything. And I really didn’t want to go back into ‘learning.’

“But it felt really different.

“We started one step at a time and that’s how I teach now. Very student is different, so post-16 learning is all different as well. 

“It’s built around the student and their needs, which of course includes support for their wellbeing.

“I left school with nothing, and I’m here now, teaching 16-year-old versions of me. I wouldn’t have believed that was possible. 

“But people can do anything with the right support. That’s what we offer here.”

Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “Even when school has been ok, it’s still normal to feel overwhelmed about results day and taking that next step after GCSEs. 

“So when school hasn’t gone well, it’s so easy to feel completely disheartened about results, circumstances and their ability to do anything.

“That’s why, along with our Careers Helpline, this website brings together everything that 13-18 year olds need to know about not just  GCSEs and A Levels, but work-experience, apprenticeships, work-related qualifications, BTECs and those skills that aren’t even introduced in school.

“Moreover, there’s help to explore all the different  course levels so people can find their next step, whatever grades they have or haven’t achieved. 

“There really is a next step for everyone.

“Legally, everyone needs to stay in some form of learning until they are 18, but that includes work-based and practical skills courses too.

“I urge everyone, but especially those who aren’t expecting great grades on results day, to go to the website now and give yourself a chance. Everyone can have a great future after school.”

The new web page can be accessed through the Staffordshire Jobs and careers website. 

The dedicated helpline is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday on 01785 854125, or young people can email for help: [email protected].