Over the next couple of months young people in schools and colleges face some of their most important educational choices. But how have the 14-19 reforms enhanced the options available? And how can staff be best prepared to deal with questions that come their way?
Connexions adviser Maggie Cowan has been giving careers and education guidance to young people for more than 20 years.
The period between January and March, when students aged 14 and above traditionally decide what they want to do next, is one of her favourite times of year - because she gets a glimpse of the aspirations that students hold for the future.
“It’s a large part of my job to speak to young people about their hopes for work or university,” she says. “When a 16 year old comes to you with the seed of an idea, it can be incredibly rewarding to work with them and their parents to figure out the best pathway to take them towards that ultimate goal.”
But Maggie has always felt that options available to 14-19 year olds could become even more flexible, so that every young person can find their preferred route.