Bitterne Park Sixth Form is one of the partners which have developed a website for Year 11 pupils to help them access information on further education, apprenticeships and future employment options – all in one place.
Article continues after this message...
As they plan and prepare for their next steps, Year 11s– many of whom have been affected by school closures - are now able to access the new online resource ‘Flying Start Southampton’.
Developed in partnership with Southampton City Council, Bitterne Park Sixth Form College, City College Southampton, Itchen College, St Anne’s Sixth Form College, Richard Taunton Sixth Form College and the Southern Universities Network, the aim is to provide all pupils in Southampton as well as parents and carers with easy-to-understand and accessible information to help them to make the right choices.
It’s free to use and has been designed to equip students with what they need to transition into college, apprenticeships or employment - from help with study skills and advice on creating an online CV and profile, to information on how to access careers guidance and useful mental health resources.
Student feedback has shaped the development of Flying Start with a clear need to provide subject-specific information. Over time, the website will evolve to include all areas of study to help prepare students for a variety of college courses.
Nancy Austwick, careers and events manager at Bitterne Park School and Sixth Form, said: “We are strongly focused on helping our community through these times of uncertainty and Flying Start supports this aim by providing students with a base point to start from in planning their future steps.
“We are very proud to come together with other FE providers from around the city during this time, and in the future which supports our commitment to impartial and personalised guidance for our students.”