As your son or daughter approaches the end of Key Stage 4 you will no doubt be concerned to help them choose their next step carefully. Deciding what to do after GCSEs and where to go is a big decision that you will want them to get right.

The good news is that never before have school leavers had such a wide choice of Post-16 options and progression routes. Fortunately there is a suitable course or career entry point to suit every interest and level. However this wide choice means that young people need more time and support to gather information on their choices and to consider what suits them best. Finding out about options is critical to making the right decision.

Our mission at Reading College is to enable young people to develop the skills and attitudes that make them employable in the long term. Our approach is to equip our students with the technical skills, work ethic and professional approach that will help them succeed in their working career, whether they want to start work after a university course, straight after college or whilst they are at college.

The college has a wide range of academic subjects, but also a range of vocational subjects and options that blend work with learning.

• For those interested in job related learning, we have an extensive range of vocational courses at all levels that can lead straight into a job or on to a university course.
• For those wishing to follow an academic route, we offer 20 A Level subjects, 17 of which had 100% pass rate in 2010 with an overall pass rate of 98%. Almost all progress to the university course of their choice.
• An increasinlgy popular option is to start a job as an apprentice and carry on learning and gaining qualifications whilst earning. Apprenticeships are now being developed to allow people progress to university level qualifications.

I would like to invite you and your son or daughter to our next open evening to find out what we offer here at Reading College. Our open evenings are an ideal opportunity to find out more about our courses and meet our dedicated lecturers, all experts in their field with impressive industry experience and skills to prepare students for working life and the world outside.

We look forward to welcoming you to our succssful and friendly college, but in the meantime you can find out more in our web site's 'Parents' section or call us on 0800 371 434.

Yours faithfully

Lesley Donoghue
Principal