A levels or BTEC

[Meandkids]

Hi,

My dd is in year 10, we visited a college yesterday looking for 6th form options, She loves musical theatre and attends a class externally from school, 3 times a week. She is reasonably bright and is predicted good pass grades (not excellent) - and wants to do well. She has no idea what she wants to do when she leaves school.
At the college yesterday she was introduced to a BTEC in performing arts as a triple - (equivalent to 3 A levels) which I think she would love, but my concern is this is limiting what she could do when she finishes...
As I don't think she is talented enough to make it on stage (realistic), so although I think she would have a great time, not sure this is best use of further education...
What would you suggest/advise?
Thanks all xxx

[onyourway]

What are her other strong subjects? Some sixth forms will let you do a mix, so one BTEC worth one A level and two A levels, for example. That would give her a 'broader' base and more uni courses or jobs available?

[Propertyfaux]

What DD did was choose different colleges with different career paths so she realistically had till results day to make her choice. Her friend is doing a BTEC in drama and two a levels one in media studies and another in history. She would like to go to university for film/drama/media but could still change to other paths if wanted.

[Meandkids]

Thanks guys.. that's what I'm thinking, so maybe a single or a double instead of the triple and maybe a couple of a levels or one based on her strongest subjects....

[Spied]

A-levels are the way to go Imo.
Personally I think it allows more future options.
I wouldn't advise my DC to put all their eggs in one Btec basket- if that makes sense.

[Comefromaway]

My dd is almost 18 and studying musical theatre but she is doing a couple of A levels alongside.

I personally think there are too many of these btec courses. It is an excellent qualification for those who have the ability to go onto professional training but in general the FE colleges are not able to cater for this level. The best courses are ones run by specialist institutions (such as the one my dd is at.) The kids there on the whole already have dance/singing qualificationos equivalent to A level or diploma (dd took her Level 3 Intermediate ballet, tap and modern aged 14), Grade 8 LAMDA age 16 and her Advanced 1 tap aged 17 (equivalent to 1st year degree level).She has known she wants to be a professional performer since the age of 10.

Saying that A levels are not suitable for everyone and someone who is average to good academically may well be better advised to go the Btec route.

Ds will be applying for a Btec in Music Technology (he is in year 11.) Although he is bright he struggles with certain aspects due to autism and A levels would not be appropriate for him. But again, music is not only his "passion" it's his reason for being. He quite simply works on his music from dawn til dusk apart from when he is at school and he already has ideas of a career path (composing, arranging MDing and making backing/rehearsal tracks). The Btec will be fantastic for him.

[Grumpyperson]

A friend of ds is doing a "triple" BTEC in healthcare - I think that's fine as healthcare is quite wide ranging and she has good supporting GCSEs.

A business BTEC would probably also keep quite a few options open.

When ds was making his choices he looked at a (single) level 3 diploma in criminology and was quite keen but then I saw that it could only really be used to apply for law and criminology courses, despite being touted as being equivalent to an A level. So even a single could be quite limiting if you aren't sure you want to stay in that field (which he wasn't, he just enjoyed a taster lesson).

So I think you are right to be concerned - is there a single version of it that she could do two A levels alongside?

[inwood]

A levels.

What would she do with a BTec in performing arts? BTecs shouldn't be looked down on eg business, healthcare, childcare as there are employment options at the end but PA is not going to result in employment.

[Comefromaway]

PA is not going to result in employment.

Thats not entirely true. I know the young man who Pearson (Btec) used for one of their marketing campaign video things and he is currently touring the country as a leading man in a musical after a stint in several west end shows. But he was studying a Btec on a course with high entry standards run by a specialist dance school.

[BubblesBuddy]

If you go to a proper stage school, they have agents and opportunities for professional performance. Colleges really struggle to be as good. So for me it would be stage school or not at all. A levels are broader and she can do musical theatre exams and dance exams as extras.

[Theovertoad]

dcs know 3 people who have been through Btec performing arts at local college. All had middling gcses (3/4/5s) or c/ds in old money with the odd A thrown in ( generally for music/ singing gcse) . All 3 have gone on to higher education courses. None have finished yet though so I don’t know what they plan to do after.

[yearinyearout]

I know two locals who went to the local F.E college to do performing arts btec, they both then went to a performing arts college and completed a degree level course. One is now performing in the west end, the other is a dancer on a cruise ship. I know someone else who makes a decent living touring around holiday parks as a singer. You don't necessarily have to be leading in the west end to make a living out of it, so it depends how good she is? Could you see her making any kind of living at it?

[Potentialmadcatlady]

My daughter did triple btech... I was told I was wrong ‘allowing’ her to do them... she is now doing an honours degree and was way ahead of her peers on admission to uni...

[sashh]

I't depends on what she wants to do afterwards and whether A Levels would make her thoroughly miserable.

I've taught A Level Computer Science and BTEC health and social care so I have a foot in each camp.

For Someone going into nursing I would always say BTEC mainly due to the opportunities for work placements and the chance to learn practical skills.

I suppose the best advice is to look at the kind of thing she could do at uni or in the workplace with each set of qualifications.

Some less obvious jobs include teaching, occupational therapy or festival and entertainment management all available to a BTEC student.

[randomusername]

I think BTECs are fantastic for some subjects. But I'd be wary for performing arts, what would her career options be?
If she wants to be an actress then it's fairly hard to get a full-time wage from, but those who do don't need qualifications.

[OnGoldenPond]

@BubblesBuddy

Depends what you mean by a stage school. Would you include BRIT School in that definition? They don't give introductions to agents and actually discourage being involved in professional work during the post 16 programme. They still get a very high proportion of students into the top drama and performance colleges.

The BTEC level 3 in performing arts is the best training for a performance career but there is a big variance in quality between courses. It's important to be realistic about your talents and to carefully research the College - find out about past student destinations etc.

A levels just don't give the same training for the DC who is serious about a performance career. Doesn't make it impossible, but a harder route.

[OnGoldenPond]

@randomusername

True, actors don't require a specific qualification but they are much more likely to succeed with professional training.

Students doing degree courses at the top drama schools get Equity membership at the end of their courses and offers from top agents who attend their graduation showcases.

[BubblesBuddy]

No I do not include the Brit school but that is clearly a one off. It is unique and is known for it's alumni. Not all of whom have stellar careers or go into musical theatre by the way.

I am a very regular theatre goer. So many young people in musical theatre have been to the top name theatre schools. These training schools come ot the fore time and time again. So if DC wants musical theatre, there is a best route and a not so good route. The BTEC won't make much difference to a stellar performer either. It might make a difference to other job prospects.

[OnGoldenPond]

Yes back to my point about it being essential to only do the BTEC at a college with a great reputation for performing arts, which in practice means it will have highly competitive entry with audition.

The BTEC is seen by such colleges as the best preparation for a performance career. I know Arts Ed sixth form do the BTEC and see it as the best option. A levels have an academic approach which isn't suitable for those on this path. Makes it a lot harder to pursue a professional career.

However, as performing arts is so competitive it is not advisable to pursue it unless you can get a place at one of these highly competitive entry colleges. You have to be realistic. But students who get into these colleges do have a real chance of a career in the business. Not all are stellar but a fair few earn a living and do what they love.

Incidentally, it is also perfectly possible to do the BTEC then gain a place for an academic subject at top universities, though a subsidiary A level may be necessary.

[OnGoldenPond]

And the training the BTEC offers could be what makes a performer stellar. They don't just appear under gooseberry bushes, it takes a lot of hard work.

[MrsWorthingtonsMusings]

My DC did the triple BTEC in Performing Arts plus one A level (Drama). It was her dream. I was very worried. (I'm a conventional academic.)

She auditioned for acting schools and was offered an unconditional place at East 15 Acting School which she accepted. It's part of the University of Essex for degree accreditation purposes. She graduated with a First in her particular specialism. Her graduation ceremony, presided over by the University Chancellor John Bercow, was unforgettable (as opposed to my dreary graduations) for all the right reasons.

My DC shone with happiness.

She now lives in London and I'm not going to lie to you, she struggles financially. But she's performing in between shifts at The Day Job That Pays The Rent, she has great friends, and is writing and creating as well as being on stage.

I'm very proud of her and I'm glad I didn't push her into a History or English degree that I suspect she'd have hated. The degree she did broadened her mind, developed her talents in acting, music (voice and instruments), dance, writing and staging, and taught her huge amounts about literary canons (from Sappho onwards) and acting theory, as well as practical applications of this knowledge for the industry.

I would just add: auditioning was tough, competitive, and expensive (travel and fees). But when she got that letter from East 15 ... wow. Her face. And she loved it.

[OnGoldenPond]

@MrsWorthingtonsMusings

Glad your DD loved her course so much and is still pursuing the performing. I really believe DC should pursue their passion when they are young and they will find the career that suits them from that.

Good luck to her with her performing opportunities

[Thehagonthehill]

DD is doing a byec in art.She was uninspired by the A levels on offer with only fine art available.
She wants do do an arts degree.She knows it will be tough finding work but this is all she has ever wanted to do.
She got excellent GCSE results do if she want to change in the future she knows she is capable.
I think today's kids are aware that many jobs aren't for life and will have several careers before retiring .

[Comefromaway]

Thats fantastic Mrs Worthington.

[MrsWorthingtonsMusings]

Thanks, @OnGoldenPond.

She's done work with young people and I'm wondering if she'll go into teaching or work with a young people's organisation /non-profit.

Btw, just thought I'd add she never went to a stage school - she was local comp and local sixth-form college all the way. The sixth-form college teachers were very switched on about auditions - that was important as I didn't know anything. The degree was paid for the normal way via student loan.

[MrsWorthingtonsMusings]

@Comefromaway, thank you too! It's been an emotional journey all round. I was really sceptical at first.