Should our kids choose 

higher education?

University seems a long way off for my little ones. But in terms of saving for it, it's something as parents we need to consider now. I asked Christopher Price, International higher education consultant, Director and CEO of Adventus Education, who lives in Cookham, whether going to university is worth the financial investment
these days?

‘When I decided to go to University (it feels like a million years ago these days) choosing a Uni or college to attend was a fairly straightforward process, largely decided by sixth-form teachers and what University seemed to have the best social life,' Chris says. 'Such decisions were based on the premise that it was a low-risk (graduates were a rare thing and usually got good jobs no matter what degree you obtained) and low-cost decision (zero fees!). These days, it is a radically different and much more complicated decision.

   'The introduction of top-up fees means Universities can now charge up to a maximum of £9,000 p.a. This represents an inflation busting increase of more than 50% since 2008, and means students have been hit the hardest of all groups in terms of the rise of the consumer prices index. 

   'A quick calculation shows that if someone takes the maximum loan for fees and living expenses, they will end up owing £50,025! And this is before interest payments over 20 or 30 years. The BBC calculated that is equivalent to an additional 9% in income taxes over 30 years!

   'What all of this has meant is the decision to go to University (if at all), and what to study and where, has become one of life’s more important and sizeable purchase decisions! On the positive side, there is considerable evidence to suggest that going to University is still worth the investment if the returns of doing a degree are taken over a lifetime of earnings (over £300,000 in additional earnings according to one UK government study). There is also the obvious fact that you have to have a degree to do many professional jobs these days.

   'As someone who has been working in higher education advising for over 20 years, I have noticed a huge increase in people asking me about what the best thing to do is for themselves and/or their sixth-form age children. I usually tell people to seriously consider the Where? What? When? and Why? questions and to contemplate other more radical options like studying overseas. For example, studying in other European​ destinations can be considerably cheaper than staying at home.

   'The number one destination for British students is still the US, due to the incredible options available. Other factors to take into account are things like post-study work opportunities, which students are able to take advantage of in certain circumstances. For example, in Canada you can stay for between one to three years after graduation to work and even get residency if you meet
the criteria. 

   'So, on balance, University is still worth the considerable investment (depending on what you do and where you go), but because it is now such a major purchase decision, my advice is to get advice, think clearly and carefully about what will be best for you and your future career options, and seriously consider the alternative study aboard options!

   'I can say hand on heart that studying overseas was one of the best things I ever did and I hope this is something my own kids will consider when the time comes.'

For more information or to contact Chris for advice, email him at chris.price@adventuseducation.com or call me at 07912111968

Let's talk about sex education

Sex and the Internet – does it scare you in regards to your children?

One of the reasons why Sex and Relationship Education has been in the media
so much lately is, seen most recently in the Telegraph’s ‘Better Sex education’ campaign, there have been calls for it to be ‘dragged into the 21st century’.

This is because the internet is not specifically covered in the national curriculum. 

   In the PSHE curriculum, schools are told to refer to Sex and Relationship Education guidance, which was published in 2000. But of course, we live in a different world now and have seen all the associated problems of easy access
to images, which can be confusing and misleading, of sexting, and instances of bullying and abuse through social media. The Telegraph are campaigning to include guidance about the internet and social media in sex and relationships guidelines for schools.

   So exactly what IS covered in the curriculum? At primary school level sex and relationship education entails all children developing their confidence in talking, listening and thinking about feelings and relationships, naming their body parts and learning how the human body works, knowing how to protect themselves and asking for help and support, and for children to be prepared for puberty.

   At secondary school level, sex and relationship education should prepare young people for an adult life in which they can develop positive values and
a moral framework that will guide their decisions  and behaviour, be aware
of human sexuality, including their own, understand the arguments for
delaying sexual activity and why safe sex should be practiced, understand the consequences of their actions and behave responsibly in relationships and know what relationship they want; have the confidence and self-esteem to value themselves and others and respect for individual conscience and the skills to judge what kind of relationships they want; communicate effectively; have sufficient information and skills to protect themselves and, where they have one, their partner from unintended/unwanted conceptions, and sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

   Leading sexual health charity FPA believes the new curriculum doesn’t do justice to our young people. FPA’s Director of Health and Wellbeing, Natika H Halil, said: ‘Good sex and relationship education (SRE) is about giving young people appropriate knowledge about their bodies and relationships as well as instilling self-confidence and self-esteem. Yet rather than being given sensible guidance, schools have been told when they are teaching SRE they must follow a document written in 2000.

  ‘We live in a different world now, where young people can so easily be exposed
to confusing and misleading sexual imagery and content on the internet and
on mobiles and smart phones. In the face of this, they need to know what is healthy and acceptable.

  ‘Despite recent assurances from David Cameron that he would support SRE
being ‘up to date on the problems of the internet’, there is nothing in the Government’s new guidance to help teachers broach some of these very
real and very modern issues.’

   Girlguiding is also supporting The Daily Telegraph's 'Better Sex Education' campaign. The leading charity for girls and young women in the UK is anti leaving children to navigate this very challenging area on their own. Findings from their forthcoming Girls' Attitudes Survey 2013 show that the internet has overtaken magazines as the place to go for girls to get advice and information on sex
and relationships.

  Girlguiding Advocate Katie Wormald said: ‘It is undeniable that Sex Education needs updating. ‘The teenage years can be difficult for young people, especially when it comes to sexuality and relationships. We need much better sex education in schools that includes discussions about online bullying and pornography in sex education lessons. We also need better support on the emotional side of sex and relationships and not just on the physical aspects.

   'Sex education lessons should be a place for honest and open discussions – that are relevant to our lives. But they aren't. We are calling on the government to update the sex education guidelines to include the digital world that young people live in today.’

  So while this debate continues, you can help by speaking openly with your children about sex and relationships. If you don’t, they’ll certainly pick up insights from their friends, TV or magazines, which may be inacurate. The following advice is taken from the FPA’s Speakeasy book.

   You will find it much less embarrassing if you start talking about sex and relationships when your child is very young as young children don’t need very detailed information and this is a good way to start. Answer questions simply and naturally, as if you were talking about ice-cream or cars. You don’t have to say much. Most children are happiest learning in small steps. For example, if your child asks 'How does a baby get in Mummy’s tummy?' you could say, 'Daddy puts a seed in there and it begins to grow.'

   By talking with your children you can help them to make sense of this information, put them right, and make sure they haven’t got some strange, wrong or risky ideas. Remember that just because they are curious about sex doesn’t necessarily mean they are having sex, or even interested in having sex yet. Try not to react in a shocked or angry way if your child asks a question about sex; if you do, they may well decide that you do not want to talk about sex with them, and they won’t come to you for help in the future.

   You can purchase this book for £8.49. For more info on their Speakeasy project, visit www.fpa.org.uk/commission-us/about-speakeasy.