Founder Member of the South African Chamber of Commerce UK, Mike Miller, discusses how parents can make the best of education opportunities in the UK. This can be particularly challenging for parents who have recently moved to the UK from South Africa, with its different education system running from January to December.
In this article, he offers advice on the best solution for your children’s education based on his educational experience over many decades in both South Africa and the UK, in parallel with a successful corporate career with Unilever, GSK, Revlon and Colgate Palmolive and as an SME owner.
This is one of the most important times in the academic year in the UK
As parents plans for their offspring start to take shape for the new school year starting in September, pupils will have been allocated schools by their local authority based on the parents’ requests and their proximity to the school. Most 4 and 5-year-olds start school in Reception, leading to an education that will take them to GCSE, A-level and, in some cases, on to College or University and then the world of work.
Education is the foundation of individual growth
At its essence, education serves as the foundation for personal development. It provides individuals with the tools needed to interpret the world, to think critically, and to make informed choices. From the earliest days of childhood, education shapes our perception, values, and ambitions.
Most schools are state schools but there are excellent private/independent fee-paying schools. Some are faith schools, others specialise in SEN (Special Educational Needs) and others provide a more dedicated education. These schools have smaller class sizes with more individual teaching from very qualified and experienced teachers. Bear in mind that the Labour government have placed a VAT charge of 20% on all fee-paying schools.
Pre-school education such as Nursery Schools and Child Carers
The government scheme pays for thirty hours of attendance at this type of registered school which is ideal for working parents and introduces children to social interaction.
Primary Education
For parents of primary school children you will be concerned with choosing the right school for your son or daughter based on Ofsted reports, visits to the schools in your local area, discussions with the Head teacher and staff and your son or daughter’s reaction to the school and its facilities Do you want a single sex school or co-ed with boys and girls? Your own experience will help to inform this decision. This will be one of the most important decisions you will take, so you must get it right.
What will follow will be helping with homework, parent’s evenings, school concerts, sports days and birthday parties which you will enjoy as your son or daughter embraces the process and grows. You will get to know the parents of their classmates who, in many cases, will become friends.
This will continue to Year 6, the final year of Primary school when they will be 10 going on 11.
Action: Look at all primary schools locally including looking at their websites and newsletters and then visit the school with your son or daughter to get a “feel” for the school including talking to the head teacher and the class teacher.
Secondary Education
The choice of school for their Secondary education is even more vital. In some cases, if the school is an all-wraparound school, then Year 7 will continue to be at their current school but in many cases the Secondary school will mean moving to a new school of your choice that fits the skill set that your son or daughter is already exhibiting.
In year 9 (13-14) they will need to choose their GCSE options. Core subjects will include English, Mathematics and Sciences with optional subjects including History, Geography, Business, Languages, RE etc. This will usually mean 9 or 10 subjects, but they must pass the 5 core subjects in order to proceed to A level – a further education college is also an option if necessary with additional vocational subjects.
Action: Look at all secondary schools locally including looking at their websites and newsletters and then visit the school with your son or daughter to get a “feel” for the school including talking to the head teacher and the class teacher.
GCSE – years 10 and 11
Once students move into Year 10 they will continue with their subject mix up to taking the external GCSE exams at the end of year 11.
All GCSEs have a grading system between 1 and 9 with a passing grade of C being a 4. A grades are 7 & 8 and A* is grade 9. All exam papers are marked externally in line with a mark scheme set by the relevant exam board – AQA, Edexcel, OCR etc.
It is strongly advised to continue with formal school until at least GCSE. This will be very important for future work prospects. Many schools have Careers departments and there are Careers Fairs in many locations.
A-level – years 12 and 13
For those going on to A-level, the choice of A-level college will be very important. This can be a continuation at their current school or a move to a Sixth Form College with a great reputation for their student’s acceptance at the top Universities.
Usually three A-level subjects will be studied through years 12 and 13. The choice of courses will be very important for those planning to go on to university.
In year 12 students will visit different universities to decide which degree course and which University to choose. In many cases they will be interviewed by their chosen faculty when they visit the university on an open day.
They will then apply through UCAS for their chosen University course with a backup insurance course at the same or different University as second choice. Universities will make a grade offering to potential students which will ensure their place if successful.
Other considerations will be campus vs town locations, catered vs self-catered, choice of Halls for first years – second years and beyond have shared houses locally.
Most undergraduate courses lead to an Honours degree for 1st, 2.1 or 2.2 passes. A third class pass will result in a basic degree.
After graduation, a career needs to be sought. Some degrees offer a sandwich course with a year in industry in the third year that counts one module towards the final degree grade and this could lead to an offer of employment after graduating. At the very least it will be paid work experience which will stand the student in great stead for finding the final career.
Many major national and multi-national companies have graduate training schemes which are great for launching a career in the chosen field.
About Mike Miller
Mike launched his career as a Unilever Graduate Trainee.
When he retired from the corporate world in the late 90s, Mike became part time overarching Head of the Business & Economics department at Claires Court Independent school in Maidenhead, one of the top independent schools in the UK. In addition, he was Chair of Claires Court’s Joint Common Room providing advice to academic staff in each of the six schools as well as being an advisor to the Academic Principal. Mike retired from this role in 2020.
Mike was approached to join SEBMAT, based in Slough, as a Director trustee which he has done since 2019. SEBMAT has four primary and three secondary schools in Slough and East Berkshire.
Mike is happy to have a video call with you to discuss how he can help you and your offspring generally and in particular in Business and Economics with a study and exam technique that ensures the very top grades achievable. Mike can be contacted @ mike.miller@sapro.co.uk.
Today, Mike is a Founder Director of Business Fit International, which provides expert advice and consultation through the expertise of the three Directors – David White in KZN, South Africa, Charles Henzi in Bourne End, UK and Mike Miller, BFI Managing Director, based in Marlow UK. This includes all aspects of business practice including General Management, Marketing & Sales Management, Financial Management, Operations Management, HR Management and beyond.