ECDL

I'm a Careers Advisor, happy to answer any questions you may have OP if you want to message me.

BTEC's have a terrible reputation - I'm at a loss to know why. Granted as a PP said, not much help if you want to be a doctor but few have the ability to do that if I'm brutally honest, in my experience.

Time and time again I say to students, if you're feeling the pressure of GCSE exams, let's look at the actual structure of A levels now, especially in core subjects. Demonstrating understanding and ability via BTEC assessment methods should be more widely available in KS4 I personally believe. Not all students suit A Level structure. And that's the bottom line.

There isn't one teen - sad but true.

Choudre But what is a good option for someone who won't succeed with A levels but doesn't know what they want to do with their life if it isn't a BTEC?

My DD had the problem that it was clear she wouldn't manage A levels, but she didn't have any clear career direction in mind. So she went for the 'least bad' BTEC rather than it being a massively positive choice.

Piggywaspushed completely agree if you don’t know what you want to do btecs might not be the best option. If you do though they are a great stepping stone

True, but the trouble is BTecs are so specialised. Students exist who don't want a vocational route (yet) .

At my DS's school, the only BTecs are the (fab!) Engineering and Business. Not much for those who don't have that bent.

BTecs can be fantastic depending on the career kids want to do. I work at an FE college that only offers btecs. We’re often looked down upon by sixth forms but for example an extended btec in engineering is really well respected by universities and employers (lots of our students have gone on to work at rolls Royce). If you want to be a doctor for example btecs are no good

Why are A levels only for the top 25% of ability? It might stand to reason but I have never seen that written. About 80% of our students stay on to sixth form.

I agree there should be greater options for students at 4 / 5 grade level. OP's DS is in that awkward spot and some of those kids do end up doing A levels because they feel there is nothing else. This is a particular issue in semi rural and rural areas.

Piggy. My DD2 currently in year 9 will have to achieve 4 7s and 2 6s to get in to her schools sixth form !

Oh it's all going to be solved by the introduction of T-levels. Woohoo!

I have been teaching for 25 years. I can actually never remember a time when BTecs weren't looked down on. Not saying it's right.

I would actually say they are better regarded now. Our school is offering another BTec next year.

The problem can be a school not having the staff to deliver the BTecs.

Ah, but you didn't say it was about averages!

BTecs have a negative reputation amongst students , generally in middle class areas where schools are offering maybe one BTec and persuading the middle ability children to do them. Their standing is vastly improved when students form across the ability range opt for them.

At my place a student who does a BTec has to do two (or one depending on BTec) A levels as well. One man's cash cow is another man's funding need.

Piggy. Your DSs grades equate to an average of grade 6 over 7 subjects anyway !

However, shouldn't A levels be for the top 25-30% of the ability and isn't a grade 6 GCSE average over 7 subjects where such pupils should be.

Another thing if pupils in the top 50% of the ability band are increasingly signing up to take A levels that surely has a negative knock on effect to Btec's. 30 years ago Btec National Diplomas (OND) were highly regarded qualifications that were = in standing and 'perception' to A levels . Recently a friends son who is much more suited to a level 3 Btec has embarked on A levels because as his mother said 'Btec's are for thickos'.

Magic fairy dust !

A level and A level equivalent childcare/ textiles type subjects do phenomenally well. ALPs target grades are slightly bizarre things , all in all.

ALPS grade 1/2 at A Level.

How?

We're 7 4s/Cs but then lots of subjects ask for 5s so it's all become a bit of a mess. This year, many students met the basic requirement, but not the subject requirements... so we are back to the drawing board!!

Looks like we'll drop the basic requirement and just go for subject entry requirements .

Either way, nowhere near 7 grade 6s. And we are an outstanding Ofsted school with ALPS grade 1/2 at A Level.

Same as mine noble. They wouldn’t fill all the spaces otherwise.

My non-selective school has sixth form entry requirements of 4 Cs including either maths or English.

Sixth form open evenings will be happening very soon so I'd go to as many as possible and ask them about their typical external applicant numbers for those places and how they select.

And, yes, OP, I'd speak to the school and see how flexible they are.

< 3 A levels doesn't count as full time so affects funding I believe, which is why schools don't tend to allow it.

In fact , many schools are now moving away from such blanket A level entry requirements.

My DS got A* for Spanish (full marks, in fact), , then an A , 2 6s and the rest 5s/ Cs and a D.

Are you seriously suggesting a school shouldn't accept him to study A level Spanish mountford !?

It does for some things but not for others. Dd got Distinction* and I think the school counts it as a half.
However they are saying it won't count next year as a GCSE.

Oh here we go with the elitists jumping on the thread.

Most non selective schools absolutely do not ask for 7 grade 6s. Mine included.

We need to move away from only thinking a C or above at A level is worthy.

For years we have allowed students on C grades to do English A level at my place and have just moved to 5s. They are doing just fine.

Our school used to do ECDL but is now doing something else as ECDL no longer counts for league tables.
My view of it was that it covered worthwhile skills, but fundamentally was not really 'GCSE standard'. DD1 got a D* for it but otherwise got a mixture of Bs and Cs.

How far afield are you looking? DD1 travelled an hour door to door for college to get the courses she wanted.

7 GCSE's at grade 6 is not that strenuous. Most non (super selective) grammar schools at present ask for about 6 or 7 B grades at GCSE. I believe this is just equating a grade 6 is to a old B grade. This is a realistic assessment of where i think a pupil needs to be for A level study.

This is unless the college or school only regards the student as a cash cow and takes little or no interest in outcome.