Range of options open to school-leavers

AS I write this, students across Somerset are eagerly awaiting A-level exam results, and by the time this is published, results day will have passed. Every year, there is a lot said in the media about results – and the differences year-on-year – as well as the pathways young people have chosen to take.

I think it is important to acknowledge a day which young people have been anticipating for a while and to stress that there are so many great options if the grades are not what are expected. The clearing system for university can provide comfort and support if things don’t quite go to plan, but that really is only one option in an array of routes anyone can take following leaving school.

While we are now in 2023 and the Covid pandemic has

Thoughts of Wells MP James

Heappey

passed, it still had such a huge impact on students and each week when I visit schools, there is an overriding feeling that each year group was impacted in a different way.

Teachers and all other staff have worked tirelessly over the past few years to ensure students are as prepared as possible in challenging circumstances.

The great thing about this part of the country is that we also have a range of options following leaving school. Whether that be apprenticeships, college courses or straight into the workplace, there are other options than university.

University can be a brilliant experience and we can be so proud of the amount of students from Somerset excelling and attending fantastic institutions, but I have always been supportive of a range of opportunities for different skill sets.

Strode College – having introduced T-Levels recently –has broadened its offering and I am continually impressed with not only the breadth of courses which are available, but the facilities with which students have access to, to hone their skills.

I hope our fantastic young people get everything they desire on results day, but – as ever – it is important to remember that they are not the be all and end all, no matter how much it can feel like it at the time.

As for the ongoings in Parliament, the summer recess is almost coming to an end, and while Parliament may not have been sitting in recent weeks, it is always a good chance to focus even more on constituency work and I continue to host regular surgeries across the patch. To book an appointment, it is best to get in touch with my team directly and they can point you in the right direction as to how we can help and when the best time to book an appointment is.