As GCSEs approach and post-16 decisions loom, London Park School Mayfair is bringing together a panel of leading experts to help parents cut through the noise surrounding sixth forms, A-level choices, university pathways and future careers. Taking place on Wednesday 11 November, Year 11: What Happens Next?! will feature clinical psychologist and bestselling author Tara Porter, alongside Thomas Moon of Oxbridge Applications, Emily Stone of InvestIN and Heidi Armstrong, Head of London Park Schools Mayfair.
The event comes at a time when many families are grappling with questions about what really matters at 16. Should students prioritise the most academically selective sixth form? How important are A-level choices? What experiences will genuinely benefit future university and career prospects? And how can parents support teenagers through this period without adding to the pressure?
These are questions that sit at the heart of Tara Porter‘s work. A clinical psychologist with more than 25 years’ experience working with young people and families, Porter is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Good Enough Parenting and a regular contributor to The Times. In a recent article, she challenged parents to move beyond the pursuit of the “best” school and focus instead on finding the right environment for their child. At a time when Year 11 can feel dominated by comparison and competition, she will explore how parents can support teenagers without becoming overwhelmed by the pressure to make every decision perfectly.
Offering a university admissions perspective, Thomas Moon leads the consultancy team at Oxbridge Applications and has advised hundreds of families on applications to Oxford, Cambridge and other highly selective universities. Having worked with students from more than 50 countries, he brings a clear understanding of which choices at 16 genuinely influence future opportunities, and which are often given more significance than they deserve.
Emily Stone heads up the Career School programme at InvestIN, delivering careers education and industry-focused experiences to students across the UK and
internationally. Working at the intersection of education and employment, she willshare insight into the skills, experiences and attributes increasingly sought by both
universities and employers, and explain how students can begin exploring future career paths without feeling pressured to have everything figured out at 16.
Completing the panel is Heidi Armstrong, Head of London Park School Mayfair. With extensive experience leading sixth forms and guiding students into destinations ranging from Oxbridge and Russell Group universities to specialist arts courses and competitive apprenticeships, she will offer a school leader’s perspective on choosing the right post-16 pathway, balancing ambition with wellbeing, and helping young people make informed decisions with confidence.
Together, the panel will explore how families can navigate Year 11 with perspective, keep future options open and focus on the decisions that genuinely matter, before opening the floor to audience questions.
📍: London Park School Mayfair, 106 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NL
📅: Wednesday 11 November, 6.00pm-7.30pm
RSVP🔗: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/year-11-what-happens-next-tickets-2003664983904?aff=oddtdtcreator
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