Thinking About the Next Step? A Guide to RNN Group’s year 11 Parents’ Information Evenings
Year 11 is an important milestone for young people and their families. With GCSEs on the horizon, many parents and carers are beginning to think about what comes next, from choosing the right college and course to understanding the opportunities available after school.
For families across South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire, Year 11 Parents’ Information Evenings at Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College offer a valuable opportunity to explore those options, ask questions and help young people make informed decisions about their future in advance of the admission process starting in November.
Whether your child has a clear idea of what they want to do or is still exploring their interests, these events are a great place to start.
Why attend a Parents’ Information Evening?
Choosing what to do after Year 11 is a big decision, and it is one that young people do not have to make alone.
Parents and carers play an important role in helping their children understand their options, build confidence and find a pathway that suits their interests, strengths and ambitions.
At these information evenings, families can find out more about the opportunities available at college and gain practical information to help support conversations at home in advance of Year 11 learners making an application to one of RNN Group’s Colleges.
From understanding different qualifications and course options to finding out what college life is really like, attending an information evening can help turn uncertainty into a clearer picture of the future.
Book on to a Parents’ Information Evening
Book on to North Notts College’s Parents’ Information Evening:
Tuesday 6th October 2026, 5pm–7.30pm
Book on to Rotherham College’s Parents’ Informatoin Evening:
Wednesday 7th October 2026, 5pm–7.30pm
Book on to Dearne Valley College’s Parents’ Information Evening:
Thursday 8th October 2026, 5pm–7.30pm
Presentations are scheduled to run at 5.15pm, 5.45pm, 6.15pm and 6.45pm. These are repeat sessions, so parents and carers only need to attend each presentation that interests them once. Registration is available, and families can also turn up on the evening.
What should parents and carers be thinking about?
There is no single route that suits every young person. These evenings are an opportunity to explore different possibilities and consider what might work best for your child.
Here are some useful things to think about before attending:
- Interests and ambitions: What subjects, activities or career areas does your young person enjoy?
- Learning styles: Would they prefer practical, hands-on learning, classroom-based study or a combination of both?
- Future opportunities: What could different courses lead to, including employment, apprenticeships or further study?
- Support and wellbeing: What support, guidance and opportunities will help your child feel confident and settled in college?
Encourage your young person to be involved in these conversations. Their interests, goals and aspirations should be at the heart of the decision.
Make the most of your visit
To get the most from a Parents’ Information Evening, it can help to prepare a few questions in advance.
Consider asking about:
- Entry requirements and the qualifications needed for different courses.
- How applications, interviews and enrolment work.
- The support available to students as they move from school to college.
- Progression routes and opportunities after completing a course.
- What a typical college week looks like.
Even if your child is not yet sure what they want to do, asking questions and gathering information is a positive first step.
Take the next step with confidence in advance of our Open Events in November
Our Parents’ Information Evenings at Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College are designed to help families feel informed, prepared and confident about the choices ahead.
If you are a parent or carer of a Year 11 student, take the opportunity to find out more, explore the options and start planning the next chapter together.
After next week’s Year 11 Parents Information Evenings, your young person may have RNN Group’s Schools Careers Teams in school assemblies talking about the next steps as well as seeing the team at mock interviews and careers support during the year. You can help your young person by attending these events to find out more in advance of the Open Events in November which we hope parents / carers and Year 11 learners will attend after having these weeks of information support:
Open Events in November:
Rotherham College – Saturday 14th November, 10-1pm