to think mainstream schools must offer courses which suit everyone?

[Glamis]

My daughter’s school has recently declared they will only be doing GCSE. No other courses, functional stuff, BTec etc. I thought that they had to offer courses for everyone esp maths and English but school say they don’t. They are an academy.

Any ideas?

My school only does GCSE's

So does mine. Never heard of one that offers a range.

I teach in and my dc attend a school which only offers GCSEs.

My only experience of education is as a parent so I wouldn't pretend to understand the rationale behind decisions like these. But yes I would have expected schools to be able to provide suitable courses for those children who will not cope with / are not likely to pass GCSE maths and English etc.

At GCSE level it is fairly common to offer only GCSEs. Are you getting confused with A Levels where many schools will offer BTecs, NVQS, T Levels etc?

It is also very unusual to offer anything apart from GCSE Maths and English. Some schools may offer functional skills too but that would only be for the very weakest students (those working at around year 7 level) or students who have recently arrived from other countries with no English.

At GCSE there can be quite a lot of practical especially in courses such as Art and ICT so it’s not all completely academic anyway.

Most schools only offer GCSEs.
The only time I know of a BTEC being offered as an alternative for PE/Sports Science.

I thought functional skills were offered to those who had failed GCSE maths or English several times?

For a big school, I'd expect a range of BTECs to be available, but if it's a fairly small school the options will be more limited, and maybe very few or no BTEC offers.

Certain academy chains are quite well known at not wanting students who would only be able to do functional level English and Maths rather than regular GCSE. They don't offer the functional qualifications so some students end up leaving.
I mean....... allegedly that is what goes on......
Academies can do what they want though really when it comes down to what subjects they offer.

Lots of schools offer BTECs as well

If your school only goes up to 16 then they only have to offer GCSEs.

Many schools will offer more but they don't have to.

Very standard surely? Only BTEC is sport.

Do you mean they're only offering GCSEs in academic subjects?

I mean, only BTEC at our local high schools is sport

Academies can do wtf they want. Did you know they don’t have to employ qualified teachers, and can pay their management whatever they feel like?

My sons comp offers hair and beauty courses and construction for years 10 and 11 alongside GCSEs. I think it's great and definitely the way forward.

Kids basically have to sit English and Maths GCSE and will have to resit in sixth form/college if they don't get a 4+, so no point in getting them to sit functional skills instead.

I work in FE and see hundreds of kids' qualifications at enrolment

The only ones that come through with Functional Skills Maths and English are those who attended SEN schools or PRUs

I like that DDs school has a range of vocational and academic courses. But its not compulsory to offer.

All the schools around here offer GCSEs. but then differentiate post 16.

The local colleges do BTECs and T-levels, the 6th forms do A'levels

Only GCSEs offered at the secondary schools near here.

Are you thinking things like business studies which are not a gcse? Because I thought all schools offered though.

At A level stage most offer btec and a couple T levels here.

My son's school only does GCSEs. And only A Levels post 16, no BTECs or anything.

Why 'must' they OP?

Schools will offer qualifications which count in performance measures. Some BTECs do, some don't. Functional Skills qualifications don't.

Blame the previous government-not the schools. We are being forced down a fucking stupid ebacc route that doesn’t support all children… nonsensical!

I was thinking SEN related I suppose. My daughter is profoundly dyslexic and was working at P levels in juniors. She is fine with PE and likes art but her chances of passing literally anything else are near to zero. I know some places offer more accessible courses for those who will never pass GCSE but I am trying to find out if it’s compulsory.