A levels or BTEC

I teach BTEC Extended Diploma in Performing Arts but do so in partnership with a theatre. If students want a career in the arts, it’s a better route than A Levels IMO. My students perform a lot and it shows. They also are a lot at the theatre (for free) and that makes a huge difference. Last year’s cohort got into Rose Bruford, Oxford School of Drama, Chichester, and there were final round recalls for LAMDA and BOVTS. Having said that, one girl is now studying Law and another is doing a degree in Animal Management. It doesn’t necessarily limit options.

Yes definitely the BTEC doesn't just limit you to performing arts training. Several of DD's classmates decided to study academic subjects at university - including maths, history, politics etc, and DD was offered a place at Bristol to study English Literature, though she decided to take the performance training route.

I think it's good to do something you love, but even better if you can balance it with something more rigorous/academic/useful.

If she's bright, why not suggest the single/double PA BTEC, plus one/two A Levels. Then she has the best of both worlds. It's so difficult in Y10 to know what you want to do after school, but best if you doesn't close too many doors too early.

DD1 did Art (admittedly A Level), even though it was never going to contribute to her future, because she loved it, but with two academic A levels alongside she's now at university.

Btec Performing Arts doesn’t necessarily mean that she is limited just to performing art careers OP. My Friend did a Level 3 BTEC Performing Arts and went on to do a degree in Creative Writing

@NCTDN

By reputation I mean do the courses get students into the top higher education institutes for performing arts. These are sometimes universities but often not. GSA (Guildford School of Acting) is part of University of Surrey and Central is part of University of London, but a lot of the others are private colleges - though you can get student loan funding for their degree courses.

Check for student destinations on the college website or prospectus or ask staff at open events.

I worked in a college advice and guidance role with BTEC level 3 Performing Arts/Musical Theatre students (full time course with no additional A' Levels). Many went on to higher education in an area related to performing or stage management. A good number also used their high grades at BTEC to secure places on other degree courses though, and their qualifications were fine as many courses don't need specific subjects. They went onto degree courses including Education, Youth work, Early Years, Creative Writing, Media, Events Management and more, so a BTEC chosen at 16 doesn't have to be limiting.

@OnGoldenPond how do you find out the reputation? I assume you mean for universities?

@NCTDN , I agree, if you want to study for a performance career the BTEC qualification seems to be better. Carefully check the reputation of the college though, they can be very variable.

We're looking at similar options now - btec or a level dance. I don't really understand why you would choose a level dance if the btec is much more performing, less pressure on written exams and equivalent to an a level?

The honest answer is that it is very limiting. Unless she is dead set on a career in a musical theatre (whcih is a very tough gig and does still depend on having the right sort of 'look' as well as talent) she'd be better off taking a wider breadth of qualifications. I am not opposed to BTECs. My friend's daughter is studying to be an OT at uni having taken 3 different BTECs. But another took triple musical theatre BTEC and was not accepted into any theatre schools. Whereas another girl took drama/theatre a level, eng lit and something else and has got into a prestigious drama school. I think you have to separate hobbies from career at some point, and help them decide which is which. It's a bit like dreaming to be a footballer - it's only realistic for a few. Whereas as for academic a levels, if child is reasonably bright and is willing to put the hours in to learn, can do really well.

Let her do what interests her she is more likely to study hard and excel. My granddaughter did as levels failed miserably and decided to switch year 2 to a btec sport. Triple D* later she is studying an BSC honors at a Russel group university and doing very well. You can switch. I won't say it is easy but good grades are recognised by further education establishments just check the UCAS points possible for the BTEC course being studied as there are a few which don't carry full or any points.

I always think for Acting it’s better to wait until age 18. It is a bit different for my dd as she’s a dancer and it was difficult to access the level and hours of dance training locally that she needed.

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

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.

Thats fantastic Mrs Worthington.

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 .

@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

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.

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.

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.

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.

@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

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.

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.

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.