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

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.

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.

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.

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?

@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.

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

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.

@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.

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

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.

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 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.