We’ve seen the misery inflicted on ‘A’ level students with the release of predicted grades last week and it seems the same is set to follow those receiving their GCSE results this week.
Students who worked massively hard and got great grades in their mocks and from their teachers were marked down on the basis of the overall history of their school’s performance. Does it necessarily follow that a student attending an underperforming school who works hard, studies long and has positive role models in their life cannot soar? I don’t believe it does. Many people experience deprivation and barriers in their life but are able to focus on their goal, work hard and get where they want to be.
Education is seen by many adults the world over to be a passport out of deprivation for their children. Unfortunately, not all children see this when they have free education offered to them. But many do. Many want to rise-up, work hard and move forward.
The one piece of positivity I noted this weekend was the story of strong apprenticeships – see feature photo. I don’t mean the administration or customer service year long apprenticeships we’ve become used to but quality apprenticeships that lead to great careers and move people to where they want to be without judging them on what circumstances they were born into.
The feature picture reminded me of a meeting I had last week with a London Council. Their apprenticeships are broad and varied including Surveyor, Engineering – two years plus and starting salaries of £21K+.
University is a passport to a better life for some. But so are Apprenticeships. There is more than one solution. Look at apprenticeships on offer including at your local council. The ideal opportunity for you could be nearer than you think.
Apprentices are definitely a good alternative, though like with universities, these are not for everyone, while they are scarce. And as students worked so hard for a place at university, it seems completely deplorable that they cannot attend.