The next steps: College Principal’s advice for Swansea students on what educational route to take after GCSEs

With students across Swansea set to complete the biggest challenge of their educational journey thus far – GCSE examinations - there is no better time than now to look to the future. Those of you who will have completed your exams this May and June, don’t take your foot of the gas! The relief of having finished exams may overwhelm any desire to think about the next steps in your academic lives, but the lead up to results day provides the perfect opportunity to consider where to go next.

Here to discuss why it is better for Swansea students to reflect on study options sooner rather than later is Mark Jones, Principal of Gower College Swansea.

For students across Swansea, the summer offers a brief period of respite from all the efforts committed to revision and exam preparation. Although students will be taking a well-deserved break from revision, there is no better time than now to begin thinking about where your academic life will take you next.

Deciding what study path to follow is a daunting prospect requiring careful consideration. There are various routes to take, such as college, staying on at school or going straight into work, and the sooner students in Swansea begin looking at the options available, the more likely they are to make the right decision for them.

This decision should be guided by your career goals and aspirations. For those of you who are clear about what you want to do, take the time to research the best way to get there. For example, those wanting to study engineering at University will need to go to an institution that offers A Levels in subjects like physics, maths and further maths. Another important thing to consider is that subject choices, levels of qualification and outcomes (in terms of grade profiles) can vary significantly between different colleges and schools. Across Swansea, there is also a wide range of qualifications from A Levels to NVQ qualifications to paid apprenticeships, each with their own benefits. Whichever path it is that you decide to take, be sure to enrol on a course that suits your learning needs.

If you are still not sure about what profession you want to pursue (which is fine at this age), you should choose somewhere that suits your academic strengths and interests to maximise your chances of success. It is important to consider what subjects or course you would enjoy studying, because you are more likely to succeed on a course you enjoy. Colleges are a great place to consider because there really is something for everyone and here you will find facilities and experiences that are similar to those at University – a fantastic way to prepare for those who may want to progress on to higher education after college.

Here at Gower College Swansea, we are constantly working to enhance our learning facilities and the social experience our students enjoy. We offer a diverse range of courses from catering and hospitality to business, accountancy, law and digital technology. Our learning spaces are ever evolving and developing and the college’s Tycoch Campus has recently undergone a huge redevelopment, transforming the space into a modern social and learning hub. The project introduced a new reception area, common room, coffee shop and space for the full range of guidance and support services that our students may need.

Following a period of substantial refurbishments, the college now boasts a Higher Education Centre, more classrooms and a brand new library. The opening of the library has transformed our Tycoch campus into a truly innovative space for learning with facilities that are ideal for collaborative or individual working. Whichever course you plan to enrol on, the library can facilitate the needs of our students’ diverse learning needs.

These developments mean that, as a further education college, we can provide a high standard of technical and professional training and education for students as well as enhancing the social aspect of college. Many of you might feel slightly anxious about friends parting ways and going to different institutions but fear not - college or sixth-form is a fantastic way to meet new people. We understand the importance of socialising in college and have made efforts to also improve the amount of social space at our Gorseinon campus by adding an extension to the coffee shop. This will provide more room for students to meet up with friends - new and old - to catch up over a drink and relax between classes.

Whichever route you decide to take, I think it is vital that you use the summer months to research all the options available to you. By this, I mean more than simply searching on the Web - go out and visit sixth-forms or colleges that you are interested in. Speak to current / former students and staff and see what they have to say. Use your time to get some valuable work experience under your belt, this will not only make your decision easier but will also help you when you are looking to start your career. Make the most of the time you have available in the lead up to results day.

Ultimately, the decision is all yours and whatever it is that you decide to do, Gower College Swansea wishes you all the best for your future. We hope that you get the grades you have all worked so hard to achieve and we commend all the time and effort put into this year’s exams. Spend time this summer unwinding but do devote some of your time on the valuable research that will ensure you discover the best options for your future.