Further education: New website opens up choice for London students

By Neil Merrick

Published: 26 April 2007

Every day, thousands of youngsters get on the bus or tube in London. This free transport for under 18s travelling to learn encourages them to look beyond their neighbourhood for the right course. In some parts of London, more than 70 per cent of 16-19 year olds attend a school or college outside their borough.

During the next few years, such mobility could increase. A new online prospectus will, from the summer, give youngsters who've taken their GCSEs an idea of what is on offer all over the capital.

Called Choice, and set up by the London Learning and Skills Council (LSC), it is the largest online prospectus in the country, listing courses offered by colleges, schools and work-based learning providers. By the end of the year, similar facilities should be available throughout England.

To date, 50 colleges, 427 schools and 164 work-based learning providers have signed up to Choice, which now covers 25,000 courses. "I can't see why anyone wouldn't want their courses to be listed, says Andy Wilson, the principal of Westminster Kingsway College."

Like other colleges, Westminster Kingsway tries to ensure that its prospectus is in all schools - although some with sixth forms can be reluctant to show it to their youngsters. The Choice website lists courses for students aged 14-16 and 16-19, and other activities, including volunteering and summer universities. Users insert the name of their school, or postcode, and search for the subject or course they want.

Not all students, says Sean McMahon, who leads the project for the London LSC, are aware of the options available if they are willing to travel. "There is everything from ancient Greek to forestry," he says. "We are empowering young people and giving them a greater role in managing their own progression."

Dan Roche, 17, who is taking a BTEC first diploma in music at Westminster Kingsway College, says that an online prospectus would have been invaluable when he was looking at his options. Although he enjoys his course, he would have preferred one that did not involve a long bus ride to the college's Regents Park centre. "I might have found a course that was more local." Roche was part of a small group of young people who advised on the layout and other features of Choice so that it appealed to teenagers. "It all fits from a young person's perspective," he says. "They will be able to sit at home or go into the school library and search for what they want to do."

Chris Heaume, the chief executive of Central London Connexions, is not sure that Choice will mean students travel farther or whether some find courses closer to home. "Choice will be better informed," he says.

Colleges and other providers are responsible for updating the prospectus, giving details of how to apply for allowances and other support. All English local authorities are required to be part of an online area-prospectus by September, ahead of the launch of 14-19 diplomas in 2008. Gareth Griffiths, the director for 14-19 attainment at the national LSC, estimates that more than 70 area-prospectuses will be created. Eventually, young people should be able to apply for courses online.

www.yourlondon.gov.uk/choice