BTEC L3 course: how much teaching should DC expect to be receiving atm?

[slidingdrawers]

DS (17) is in the first year of a two year BTEC level 3 business course. His published timetable equates to between 11-16 hours/week. In reality his actual teaching time (face to face and remote) equals on average 2-3 hours a week with the remainder being online, often untaught set tasks.

I appreciate the challenges Covid is having on staff absences and cover but it would appear A level students at the same college are still receiving a good amount of f2f and/or remote teaching. One of the issues is there is only one (new) teacher for his course and he is currently not responding to any emails or posting on the platform students use so we are assuming is off sick.

Is this level of teaching normal atm? Is anyone else's DC doing the same/similar course and if so, can you let me know what teaching they are getting so I can get some sort of comparison.

My feeling is the college are letting him down but am I being unreasonable in thinking this?

Ds is on a L3 Btec music course. Up until last week he was receiving the full timetable of classes (2.5 days I think it equates to around 12-13 hours). Some of that is practical sessions where he rehearses in a small group and the teacher goes round each group in turn giving feedback. As of last week they went to a one week on, one week off system. On his week off he probably did 2-3 hours on zoom then completed various tasks.

Thank you for responding.

I've escalated the matter via the complaints process as am concerned as to whether they will actually meet the course specifications with this minimal amount of teaching.

It seems the course was oversubscribed and was spilt in two from the outset, citing Covid safety issues. However teaching time has also been spilt in two. In reality he's not even getting half the teaching and has had none at all for over 2 weeks. Its not acceptable.

A level and other vocational courses at the college have not been spilt like this and are still receiving full teaching, though some are understandably affected by staff absences. Imo they are massively letting him and his fellow students down by poor contingency planning.

2-3 hours a week is certainly too little although I notice you say on average. Is he getting more in one week and less in another? If so it may even put over the year especially if they’ve started easier units first which students can do mostly independently.
Also bear in mind if lessons have been recorded and shared this will count towards teaching time.
Sixth forms will vary but I believe the average taught time is 5 hours per subject (if he’s doing a BTEC worth three A Levels that should obviously be trebled to get the total amount of teaching he should receive on average so 15 hours ish)
It’s absolutely not good enough that the teacher isn’t answering though!

Thanks @PastaAndPizzaPlease it probably averages less than that now. At most he has attended 3 x 1hr taught sessions a week (f2f or remote) and nothing now for 2 weeks. His "attendance" is 100% according to the online portal. No pre-recorded lectures, no online textbook or resources, mostly untaught independent tasks set via their portal which they are told to "google" to find out more. I'm meeting with the curriculum lead later this week.

Interesting point about the easier tasks more suited to independent learning being set early on. My main concern is if this continues. Perhaps they have a plan...

There will be a lot of variation firstly whether he is doing a certificate - 1A level, diploma - 2A Levels or extended diploma -3 Alevels.
Then subject meter my DD is doing performing arts -27 contact hours per week, her boyfriend electrician prior to aporenticeship 6 hours in college and 4 hours on line. Both doing extended diplomas.

DH is a lecture in a college and he is teaching 90% face to face lessons where possible. 2-3 hours is not really acceptable and I say that as a teacher too.

I'm an A Level teacher at a college and we are operating on room capacities with social distancing in place (1m between students). Where groups are two large for the room they are split in two and in college every other week. When students are not in FTF they are joining live via teams.

Every college is different at the moment so it's really hard to judge the circumstances. I'd definitely bring this up with the college and see what's going on

An update:

After investigation, turns out the tutor was not providing anywhere near sufficient teaching (f2f or remote) and he and the college have parted on 'mutual agreement'.

They've assured me that they can catch up (it's an ext diploma @Lonecatwithkitten )
and teaching is being covered atm by agency staff whilst they recruit for the next term.

Wish I'd raised it sooner.

@slidingdrawers they will be able to catch up my daughter's college restructured as ensemble singing and physical theatre not currently possible. So they have had an academics heavy term ( which has been hard), but it means academically they have nearly completed year 1 ( they normally do vast majority of academics in first year).
The college just needs to be a bit flexible and possible creative. My daughter has managed to keep dancing and doing body con all term ( allow with social distancing as it's education).

That's reassuring to hear, thank you.