I have this completely unrealistic view/wish that the head of PE is going to sort out all my problems

[KatyMac]

He can't of course; I know this really

But I keep hoping/wishing he can

Poor bugger; imagine being the receptacle of all that anxiety

Agree, totally loopy to do that many!!

dd1 is at a private, academic school with fantastic results and they all do 10.

I guess I'll have to be patient

I hate being patient

agree
btecs are shit

My brother did a BTEC he is now head editor at 30 at a huge film company in London and is in charge of all the trad A level students. He regularly goes to the far east and the states and has worked on several big films and has his own personal films in the shortlist for film festivals every year. Don't underestimate them if you think its the way to go.

ALso it got him to uni where he got a first.

Rabid- that was a very ignorant comment.

OP, I know this is an ongoing issue for you, but you do need to think of it from the school's POV. Your DD is not old enough to be left unsupervised and so it's unrealistic to expect the school to allow her "free" periods, which is what you're asking them for.

Lol at btecs being shit. I don't understand why people do them.

Such an ignorant response, phrased also in such an ignorant way.

I did Btec at college. A friend and I came top equal in our year. Her results gained her a place at Exeter University. I went straight into an apprenticeship. We are both now partners in our own Chartered Accountancy practices.

Btecs immerse you in a certain area of study. A levels immerse you in 3/4 areas of study and keep your options open more. IB immerses you in 6+ areas of study. They all have their strengths.

They are being gradually phased out and replaced with advanced diplomas which are much higher level study and also greater credits for uni. I visited the film dept of our local college day before yesterday and was so impressed. The students end of year film were amazing and the equipment and studio space was first class. Several students had already been employed 2 at CH4 as an alternative to uni as first year university film production course didn't offer anything on top of what they already knew. A large % had also been selling stills from their films and orange and also bought 2 pieces of video from one student. It was first class and is an alternative to A levels which don't suit all.

Qualifications are, in 99% of cases, for access to eventual work. Work requires a million types of ability.

Some work requires rigourous, high-level, academic knowledge - like medicine. So, exams that lead to that are what is best to do in order to try and gain access to that work. The skill of answering an exam question accurately first time under pressure is a great skill for a medic.

Some work requires creativity. An A level suite of exams could offer that but also, to immerse yourself in creative thinking and production 24/7 on a diploma, may be even better. The skill of working with a brief over a set period of time, creating many ideas, but finally honing in on the best, is a great skill in the creative industries.

And there are a million other examples, all illustrating that qualifications should not be a 'one fits all' solution.

I think it is a huge insult to write people off like this. My ds was not suited to A levels as he is dyspraxic and it wasn't creative enough he lasted 2 terms and was thoroughly miserable he has flourished on the diploma course and got a distinction for year one. We were so proud at the show

She has offered to go & work in the behaviour unit or the SN unit (her preference) as she accepts she can't be 'unsupervised' which I thought very sensible of her

I find it very ignorant when people make sweeping comments about BTECs when they clearly have no idea what the qualifications are INTENDED to be for.

I teach BTEC Performing Arts at Level 2 and Level 3. In September, I will also be teaching GCSE Performing Arts, as there is sufficient demand at school. BTECs are simply a different sort of qualification. They have a vocational context, a slightly different focus and teach a different set of skills. In my opinion, certain, more practical subjects are better suited to BTECs than to GCSEs. I have signed off my final two Yr 11 students today, who have completed BTEC Level 2 Diploma over the last two years. The amount of work they have had to complete is phenomenal, despite the fact that there was no exam. They have each achieved a Distinction grade. This is NOT the same as 4 GCSEs at A, it IS the same as a BTEC Level 2 Diploma at Distinction*.

Noddy - you are wrong to say that BTECs are being "gradually phased out". No they're not. At Level 2, there have been some changes this year, adding in further elements which are externally assessed, to keep Mr Gove happy, but there have been no announcements about Level 3 BTECs being changed, let alone "phased out".

Again, at Level 3, BTECs are simply a different sort of qualification. BTEC Level 3 in practical or vocational subjects such as Performing Arts, Sport or Health & Social Care are highly appropriate ways of studying such subjects due to the ongoing practical assessment. I teach Level 3 BTEC in 6th Form and 3/4 of my class this year are going on to university to study either Drama or joint Drama/English Lit. In the past few years, I have had students go on to study Drama or English/Drama at a variety of universities including Cardiff and Bristol (RG) Of course BTEC Performing Arts isn't going to get anyone in to university to study Medicine, but then A Level Physics isn't going to get anyone onto a Drama degree.

The biggest issue with BTECs is the ignorance and snobbery with which people regard them.

Sorry Evil its just what ds original college (the one he left) told us. I think its great and I agree the work level and amount is comparable. Ds has flourished and has achieved so much at this level

What is BTEC extended level 3?

BTECs at Level 3 generally come in 4 different sizes- Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma and Extended Diploma. They've also added in a further size between Sub Dip and Dip this year. A student taking an Ext Dip would be likely to be just taking that- I hate the comparisons with GCE courses but a Sub Dip carries UCAS points in the same pattern as one A Level, a Diploma is two and an Ext Dip is three.

Thanks evil xx I think its great btw hope you didn't misundrstand

Hmm Btec science ....

As a student physics teacher last year I had the dubious pleasure of assisting a teacher for one term in lesson (level 2)

I can assure you all that it's the biggest load of crap you could ever imagine. Their folder of 'evidence' was cut and pasted from the net. I have no reason to believe that it's any different in any other school. Btec science is usually offered to the poorest performers in the subject, the very bottom set kids whose behaviour left a lot to be desired. Both external and internal exclusions were frequent events. Oh did I mention that this was an outstanding school?

I believe that until recently, Btecs counted in league tables, hence their popularity.

Conversely I know of people who studied at level 3 who really worked hard for their qualification.

I am pretty sure that the specification does not include allowing or expecting cutting and pasting from the internet. If I am right, that is not a failure of BTEC Science - it's a failure of the school to implement the correct procedures (ironically just like you used to hear about the old coursework and GCSEs).

My ds is doing level 3 and he has produced at least double the work of his a levels, It is a very professional environment and they are all very grown up on the course and certainly not students with any behaviour issues. I was very impressed and I was privately educated and traditional A level/ uni system. My ds is waaay more employable than I ever was

Referring to courses that some people are studying hard for as 'crap' and 'shit' is really awful

Kez, all evidence or coursework will be moderated, the board will ask to see a sample - not the school submit the 'best'. It is of an unbelievably poor standard.

Noddy, there's a huge difference between level 2 and 3. However, the quality of the a level shouldn't be judged by how much work is produced.. I.e physics, chemistry or maths.

They are unlikely to let her drop RE as it is compulsory!

Op, drop the Btecs, no idea why she would need Btec science when doing GCSE double or triple later on.

If the Btecs are stopping her taking on extra activities on the g&t program then I really would drop them. Surely that's a no brainer?