For generations, the traditional education route has been clear: GCSEs, A levels, university and then employment. Vocational education has often been seen as an alternative for pupils who are less academically inclined.

Andy Burnham’s proposed reforms could begin to change that perception – with implications for relocating families and the wider relocation industry.

Plans for new technical education pathways from age 14 aim to give young people greater opportunities to combine academic subjects with practical skills, technical training and meaningful work experience. The goal is to give vocational and academic education greater “parity of esteem” while strengthening links between schools, colleges and local employers.

For relocating families, this could make school choice more nuanced. Academic results and university destinations will remain important, but parents may increasingly consider a school’s technical pathways, employer links, work experience and career opportunities.

This could also influence where families choose to live. For relocation advisers, understanding the educational options available in different destinations may become increasingly important, particularly for families moving with teenagers.

However, there is reason for caution. Previous vocational reforms have struggled to achieve genuine parity with academic education. The challenge will be ensuring these new pathways are high quality, properly resourced and provide meaningful progression.

Ultimately, the “best” school for a relocating family may be the one offering the right fit for a child’s abilities, interests and future ambitions – not simply the highest academic results.