DfE axing 5000 FE courses

[ExpletiveDelighted]

Just seen this on the BBC

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-51478827

but I can't find any link to the list of courses, has anyone found it? I am concerned that this is going to disproportionately affect students with SENDs.

I agree. There's a significant number of students that just won't be able to fit into this model. It's over simplistic and demonstrates the narrow experience of government ministers and civil servants.

What's the difference between a Btec Level 3 Extended Diploma and a T-level?

Government Info on T Levels

Weren't T levels going to have masses of 'work experience' in them?

Is that still the case? How are they going to find employers willing to provide it?

I don't know if performing arts courses will be affected but at the moment one of the best types of course for a lot of dancers, singers & musicians to prepare them for professional training is the Btec. The new T level with its focus on industry and work experience just doesn't seem to fit.

T levels do have a significant amount of work placement, which may be much harder for students with SENDs than doing a BTEC in college or 6th form. I also can't find out how the T level will be assessed, will it be coursework, exams or a mixture.

I'm afraid I have rather ignored T levels since I saw that course DD2 is aiming for will only start in 2023 and she will start 2021.

List of at risk courses here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/withdrawal-of-funding-approval-from-qualifications-with-low-and-no-publicly-funded-enrolments

I’m so glad DS2 is now 20. He has ASD and would never have managed the interaction with companies required in the T levels. And what about those doing lower standard qualifications, level 1 and 2? T levels won’t replace those?

As PPs have said, decisions made by politicians and civil servants who don’t understand those with SN or abilities different to academic ones unless it’s training to be a plumber or hairdresser. Not all people who aren’t academic have ‘hands on’ technical skills.

Very disappointed with this. My daughter is due to start at Newton Rigg College studying a Level 3 in Agriculture this September. I am fairly sure the course is on the list and am going to ring the college later to find out for definite/their plan. How can funding from these courses be withdrawn before the alternative becomes available?

It says removal from Aug 2021. My DS is due to start one of these this year so hopefully he will still be OK, but not after that. A friend who is a sixth form curriculum manager alluded to this in conversation with me a few weeks ago, he said it was worrying, I can see what he means now.

At the same time, the very same government officials are threatening university cuts because too many students do non-vocational degrees. What they are basically saying is "We don't give a shit about anyone who isn't like us and goes to Oxbridge. We don't want them university educated and we don't want them educated through vocational courses."