TeenDivided, no-one is saying that no-one taking a Btech is academic. No-one is saying they are easier to achieve top grades in or that they are lesser qualifications or should be seen as second rate.
What people are saying (and is borne out by the stats) us that on average (and we all know there are outliers in any comment about averages, as well as most being around the average) those doing A Levels, start them with higher GCSE results than those starting BTECs. Many who choose a BTEC wouldn’t be accepted onto A Levels or not the A Levels they particularly might be interested in or at the institution they want to study them. This doesn’t apply to all, as some choose BTEC over A Level who could do both….but many do t have the choice.
A Levels are examined fully or mostly by exam. With BTEC there is a bigger coursework element. Kids who did really well at GCSE are those who are good at exams and consequently, they are well geared up for A Level, both I. Terms of their knowledge, but also in ability to manage an exam-based form of assessment. People can argue about if this is the best form of assessment or not, but the reality is that both GCSEs and the most taken qualification at 18 are exam-based.
Following on again to the Q about college vs school (if it needed to be seen as a ‘vs’ question) then we know that schools are geared up to do mostly A Levels and some wholly this. Instantly, schools are less suited to those who want to do BTECs and can offer less choice. Instantly, they will attract those suited to taking A Levels and facing assessment through exams…the higher GCSE achievers on average.
Again, yes we know that in some areas if the country there are no school 6th forms and everyone goes to college to do whatever qualification they choose. And again, at those colleges, those doing A Levels will tend to be those with the higher GCSE results - those who are bright in the traditional academic sense of doing well in exams. And in other areas where there are schools and 6th forms, whilst lots of academic students go to college to do A Levels as they prefer that environment, many of those exam-suited students with high GCSEs also stay at school, whilst those who don’t have such good GCSEs tend to move on. Again, I say ‘tend to’ because everyone will know someone who doesn’t fit in with the general trend….but that doesn’t alter the general trend.
It remains a sad fact that often people don’t see BTECs as an equal qualification. Those in the ‘know’ realise that top grades in BTEC can be equivalent to top grades at A Level and that many Uni courses will take them, but many don’t know this. Likewise, many top employers know this, but many don’t. And if you look at those accessing the top graduate training schemes post-21, you mostly find the people who get the places are those with A Levels and those with top A Levels from top unis. And proportionate to those who went to schools or to Sixth Form, in relation to the overall cohort, a bigger proportion did their studies at school. It’s not surprising is it, when schools tend to offer only or mostly A Levels, whilst colleges offer both routes more fully.
I don’t know what the issue or surprise is about Sixth forms in schools ‘holding the hands’ or their students more. When students look at the options, they are always told and understand that school provides a more structured environment, more similar to what they’ve been used to at school, whereas college is different and relies on more self-management and independence. Everyone knows that and people value different aspects of these, which are reflected in their choices. One obvious difference might be that in colleges, you usually don’t have to be in for 8.45 or 9am unless you have a lesson then. In a school, especially in the early days you will have to be. The college student might choose to be there anyway and working, or staying in bed. They have that choice. The school student doesn’t - call that ‘hand holding’ if you want. Some students and parents value that and others want the other approach.
I understand how frustrating it is for people doing BTECs to sometimes feel their qualification isn’t given the weight it deserves. For those getting top grades and those equivalent to top A Levels it’s particularly annoying. We are still at a stage though where this country values ACADEMIC and EXAM BASED and assessed qualifications more. This is the reality still here and those doing A Levels on average results those with higher GCSE grades.