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Secondary education

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Original poster

Can grades from Btec Science be corelated to achievement at GCSE Science?

41 replies

KatyMac · 14/01/2012 18:44

DD is doing Btech Science (in yr 9), based on her results the school decides whether she does science, double or triple.
They seem to be on a "the more GCSEs the better kick" so I need a realistic idea of which one she should aim for based on her grade
Could any of you help me work it all out? or is there not a direct correlation?

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 14/01/2012 22:20

MC- just read your post about when KS3 grades are reported by your school. I get your previous point now!

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/01/2012 22:21

I want her to do double (the less GCSEs the better)

I just wondered if I could use her grade at BTec to justify wanting that (iyswim)

The school seem to have very odd goals

She can't do Dance, Drama & Music together despite also doing Eng Lang, Lit, Maths, 2/3 Science, Spanish, Geography, RE & another option; because it's not good to specialise....

OP posts:
PatTheHammer · 14/01/2012 22:21

Coconuts, with regards to your point a, level 5 at ks2 is NOT the same as a 5 at ks3. Otherwise loads and loads of children would make no progress at all in y7&8 nationally.
However I agree that that is a large drop between y7 to y8 and I would question this.
Like eviltwins and others have suggested you need to check what level btec it is that she is doing, unusual but not unheard of to do that as preparation for ks4.
We start our triple science students in y9 provided they have achieved a 6b or above in y8 and also prove that they want to do and can handle the work. If you would like Her to keep options open double science is a better option.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/01/2012 22:22

DD is doing a 1yr Btec in Dance this year; I'm guessing it would be pointless to also do a GCSE as an option?

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 14/01/2012 22:23

The school may not go with "the less GCSEs the better" given that, by the time she gets to yr11, they will only be able to count 2 non-GCSE grades per student in their headline figures. Angry

sillybillies · 14/01/2012 22:25

They may just get them to sit the KS3 exams in year 9 anyway which I'm sure is what a school near here does? Can't remember exactly. They wouldn't be able to use the BTEC for her KS3 scores. There is no real point to doing BTEC in year 9!
From what you have said I agree with migrating that she will probably be happier doing the double award rather than triple.

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/01/2012 22:25

They want her to do 12 GCSEs and 2 Btecs - I think that's too many

He said as long as she gets 8 he will be content......but he won't reduce her workload he'll just allow her to fail (not an option imo)

OP posts:
PatTheHammer · 14/01/2012 22:26

Sorry, just read about the time off. That would explain the level drop. It does seem odd that they do these BTEC courses on y9 if they are then going on to gcse????

PatTheHammer · 14/01/2012 22:28

Woah, they do seem obsessed with quantity somewhat......Sad

Original poster
KatyMac · 14/01/2012 22:31

I worry overmuch; it's a bad habit of mine

But I'm not happy

OP posts:
MigratingCoconuts · 15/01/2012 08:12

Coconuts, with regards to your point a, level 5 at ks2 is NOT the same as a 5 at ks3.

No, I didn't say that it was. however, no child getting a level 5 at KS2 in year 6 should end up with a level 5 at the end of KS3. That would indicate to me no progress had been made and that there was questionable teaching and/or assessment procedures.

A level 5 student at KS2 should be aiming for a high 6 to 7.

MigratingCoconuts · 15/01/2012 08:15

following on to your next statement, pat, progress in years 7 and 8 does not have to be linear as they adjust from Ks2 to KS3. However, over the three years I would expect an above average pupil at KS2 (L5) to be and above average student at KS3 (L6 or7).

MigratingCoconuts · 15/01/2012 08:19

Katymac, I wouldn't be happy either. The BTEC idea seems a waste of a year.

It is supposed to be a vocational course that is alternative to GCSE so it seems pointless for your DD to take if she is then going onto GCSE. Its for their data crunching benefit as far as I can see!

PatTheHammer · 15/01/2012 08:23

I understand what you are saying coconuts as I have been a teacher a fair while, however I think in places your point wasn't very clear to any parent reading it. However, you have clarified it now.
You would not believe the amount of parents I have come across over the years who think a 5 at KS2 is the same as KS3. They then go mad when their DC is given a 5b as an end of year target for Y7 or something!

MigratingCoconuts · 15/01/2012 08:30

yes, you are right pat. it probably wasn't clear last night. I was quite tired when writing it!

Original poster
KatyMac · 15/01/2012 10:45

If she does as she is told (& passes) she will have 2 Btec & 12 GCSEs at the end of year 11

But it's unlikely that she will pass it all as she is doing 20 hours of out-of-school activity

The other option is residential school for the start of Yr 10 which neither DD nor I want or moving he to a high school with a more traditional GCSE system but she doesn't really want to move

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