To understand why DS feels his college course is a bit of a waste of time?

[Collegedogdays]

DS completed two years of a BTEC level 2 tech award. He was due to get a distinction but the last minute changes to awards they did meant it was a merit. Still good and he was pleased.

What we did not know was because it was a tech award it would count for nothing in relation to entry requirements. He had a rough time in year 10 and 11 with some issues with another pupil and got no where near his predicted grades so just missed the GCSEs he needed to go onto the next level.

He was due to start on a Nursing Cadet programme but because he bottomed out on his GCSE he is on a level 1 BTEC as a result with maths and English being retaken which is fair enough.

The problem is they have merged the level one Health course with the level 1 childcare as there were only two level 1 childcare students.
Despite the vast majority of the kids wanting to do adult healthcare they have made all the optional subjects all childcare related.

So far DS has
Coloured in nursery rhyme pictures.
Watched pre school kids television.
Played at the park.
Made play dough and sensory bags
Cut pictures of toys out of a magazine
Designed a toy.
Played with Lego.

Even the health care related subjects that they are doing are at a much lower level at the moment than what he has already done.

They have also made any work experience nursery related which I know is not a waste but many of the kids want to be adult mental health, sexual health workers, counsellors and such.

He feels totally demoralised and dumb and I do not know what to do. :(

Aibu to not see the point in the tech award if it counts for nothing?

Ah. Have they put him on an entry level course? It sounds like it. What is the exact course title? These courses are pre-GCSE level and are designed for learners unable to cope with the demand of a level 2 course, or who may need support with learning, employment or living independently.

Was his tech award certified at level one or level two?

There is no such thing as a Level 2 extended diploma.

The Level 2 First Award is roughly equivalent to 1 GCSE, the First Certificate is double that, the Extended Certificate is worth 3 GCSE’s then the First Diploma is worth 4. Basically you study more modules for the bigger sized qualifications.

I was wondering that Spring. There are a few courses it could be including one that seems to combine health, social and young people.

Springb0ks Yes it is an entry level course. Some colleges require no qualifications for it but dds required 4 level 2s.

His tech award was a level 2 merit.

I will check the entry level course, hang on a sec

It is a level 1 Health and Social Care: exploring the care sector or something similar.

It says after this he will progress onto Health and Social Care Level 2 extended certificate

Then assuming he passes his maths and English and the above move into Level 3 extended diploma.

That explains how they’ve managed to combine the two courses.

To give you something to compare with this is my local college entry criteria for the same courses

Is a Level 3 vocational pathway for you?

This is you:

I'm organised and meet strict deadlines
I like working on multiple assignments at the same time
I want to study units that relate to my chosen career
I'd like to go on to university, get an apprenticeship or get a job
You'll need:

· Usually 4 or more high grades at GCSE in subjects that are relevant to the course you'd like to study, including maths and/or English

· Level 2 Diploma with overall Merit in a relevant subject and maths and English at appropriate levels

Is a progression and skills (Level 2, Level 1 and Entry Level) vocational pathway for you?

This is you:

I like applied learning, but I want to build up my skills, knowledge and confidence first
Then I'd like to study on a higher-level vocational or skills programme, get an apprenticeship or get a job
You'll need:

Our progression and skills-based pathways have 3 different levels:

· Level 2 - 4 GCSEs at 3 (D) or above

· Level 1 (Foundation) - 2 GCSEs at grade 2 (E) or below

· Entry Level (Foundation) - No formal qualifications needed

I’ve no idea about course levels but that sounds a spectacularly bad childcare course in itself! (Early years teacher here)

Hmm it does.
We were only told H&S Care Level 1. His uniform says H&S Care, the parent booklet says H&S care.
I managed to find the full course name online ( obviously his conditional place was clearly at a higher level and not this course originally and they just said Level 1 H & S at enrolment) So obviously exploring the care sector is a MUCH wider field!

Comefromaway ds course says level 1 and requires 5 level 2 to 9s.

They do not appear to offer the entry level no qualification at all one.

Bonbonchance an early years teacher friend has said the same!