Action plan
An 8 step Action Plan to support your child in thinking about education. Have a read and take action!
1. Recognise your importance
The most important influencer on your child’s performance in school is you! It’s not teachers, schools or friends. Both academics and the government agree.
So first things first, recognise how important you are. Your actions have a huge impact.
2. Get familiar with funding
A huge concern for many parents is whether they can afford to send their child to attend university. This is completely understandable. However, please do not let this discourage you or your child.
As explained in the INFO section, there are a wide range of bursaries and scholarships available for pupils, while the student loan system in England means that there is no upfront cost. Students then do not have to pay a penny back before they graduate and are earning over £21,000. Many students also have part-time jobs to supplement their income while at university.
3. Extra-curricular activity
Your child spends lots of time at home. Help them access free extra-curricular activities during this time.
This might be reading an article a week online and then discussing it. Try out DOGO news online or BBC Newsround. It may be using educational websites, such as National Geographic for Kids, Tate Kids or the European Space Agency. It may even be visiting your local library, university open day, or free museum.
These activities can inspire pupils to pursue learning beyond their school subjects, a trait that universities value in applicants.
4. Prioritise GCSEs
Your child’s GCSEs are so important. Good GCSE grades make it so much more likely that they will progress to university, and they are an important part of university applications. Make sure that:
- You are firmly in the loop when it comes to choosing optional GCSEs. Take advantage of the advice offered by their schools and universities
- You take an active interest in how they are progressing in their GCSEs. Ask when their exams are, check that they are revising, and liaise with teachers to ensure that your child is excelling
5. Home learning environment
It is important that your child has a quiet space to complete homework and extra-curricular activities. This doesn’t have to be big, but it must be free of distractions (such as the tv, or games consoles).
More broadly, you can create a positive home learning environment by:
- Sticking up certificates of achievement
- Actively valuing homework
- Discussing news events or other topics of interest.
6. Quick wins
Most parents are busy. So why not use some of these ‘quick wins’ suggested to us by parenting expert Dr Kathy Weston to make the very most of your time with them?:
- Pick a word of the week that you learn as a family
- Ask your child ‘What have you learned at school today?’ rather than ‘How was your day?’. They’re much less likely to grunt ‘it was alright’ to the first question! The discussion you then have about their learning will act as revision for your child
- Draw up a home motto to show the importance of education. For instance ‘We give 100% effort’ or ‘We are always learning’. Stick this up somewhere visible.
7. Healthy living
Sleep, exercise and healthy eating are vital for anyone. They are especially crucial for your child. It is so important that they are well rested so they are not too tired to learn. It is crucial that they exercise regularly to keep their brains firing on all cylinders. And of course it is imperative that a balanced, healthy diet is provided, allowing them to have maximum concentration while at school and home.
For specific advice on how to embed a healthy lifestyle, read more here.
8. Do your research
Planning ahead is vital for parents. Before going to university, your child will need to decide what qualifications they study after GCSEs, what degree course they opt for, where they study and more. Use the wide range of free resources available to aid them in these decisions.
A fantastic starting point is Informed Choices. Have a read too of the INFO section on this site, while bear in mind that your child’s school will have a lot of expertise. For regular advice and guidance, why not also sign up to the UCAS parents’ bulletin?