ECDL

[Sunnystars]

Can anyone tell me if the ECDL qualification my dc attained at level Distinction* will count towards the amount of GCSE's required by sixth form/ college?

We're 7 4s/Cs but then lots of subjects ask for 5s so it's all become a bit of a mess. This year, many students met the basic requirement, but not the subject requirements... so we are back to the drawing board!!

Looks like we'll drop the basic requirement and just go for subject entry requirements .

Either way, nowhere near 7 grade 6s. And we are an outstanding Ofsted school with ALPS grade 1/2 at A Level.

ALPS grade 1/2 at A Level.

How?

Magic fairy dust !

A level and A level equivalent childcare/ textiles type subjects do phenomenally well. ALPs target grades are slightly bizarre things , all in all.

Piggy. Your DSs grades equate to an average of grade 6 over 7 subjects anyway !

However, shouldn't A levels be for the top 25-30% of the ability and isn't a grade 6 GCSE average over 7 subjects where such pupils should be.

Another thing if pupils in the top 50% of the ability band are increasingly signing up to take A levels that surely has a negative knock on effect to Btec's. 30 years ago Btec National Diplomas (OND) were highly regarded qualifications that were = in standing and 'perception' to A levels . Recently a friends son who is much more suited to a level 3 Btec has embarked on A levels because as his mother said 'Btec's are for thickos'.

Ah, but you didn't say it was about averages!

BTecs have a negative reputation amongst students , generally in middle class areas where schools are offering maybe one BTec and persuading the middle ability children to do them. Their standing is vastly improved when students form across the ability range opt for them.

At my place a student who does a BTec has to do two (or one depending on BTec) A levels as well. One man's cash cow is another man's funding need.

I have been teaching for 25 years. I can actually never remember a time when BTecs weren't looked down on. Not saying it's right.

I would actually say they are better regarded now. Our school is offering another BTec next year.

The problem can be a school not having the staff to deliver the BTecs.

Oh it's all going to be solved by the introduction of T-levels. Woohoo!

Piggy. My DD2 currently in year 9 will have to achieve 4 7s and 2 6s to get in to her schools sixth form !

Why are A levels only for the top 25% of ability? It might stand to reason but I have never seen that written. About 80% of our students stay on to sixth form.

I agree there should be greater options for students at 4 / 5 grade level. OP's DS is in that awkward spot and some of those kids do end up doing A levels because they feel there is nothing else. This is a particular issue in semi rural and rural areas.

BTecs can be fantastic depending on the career kids want to do. I work at an FE college that only offers btecs. We’re often looked down upon by sixth forms but for example an extended btec in engineering is really well respected by universities and employers (lots of our students have gone on to work at rolls Royce). If you want to be a doctor for example btecs are no good

True, but the trouble is BTecs are so specialised. Students exist who don't want a vocational route (yet) .

At my DS's school, the only BTecs are the (fab!) Engineering and Business. Not much for those who don't have that bent.

Piggywaspushed completely agree if you don’t know what you want to do btecs might not be the best option. If you do though they are a great stepping stone

My DD had the problem that it was clear she wouldn't manage A levels, but she didn't have any clear career direction in mind. So she went for the 'least bad' BTEC rather than it being a massively positive choice.

Choudre But what is a good option for someone who won't succeed with A levels but doesn't know what they want to do with their life if it isn't a BTEC?

There isn't one teen - sad but true.

I'm a Careers Advisor, happy to answer any questions you may have OP if you want to message me.

BTEC's have a terrible reputation - I'm at a loss to know why. Granted as a PP said, not much help if you want to be a doctor but few have the ability to do that if I'm brutally honest, in my experience.

Time and time again I say to students, if you're feeling the pressure of GCSE exams, let's look at the actual structure of A levels now, especially in core subjects. Demonstrating understanding and ability via BTEC assessment methods should be more widely available in KS4 I personally believe. Not all students suit A Level structure. And that's the bottom line.

Don't the big problem by me is lack of BTec offer anywhere. Maybe one per school. Even the large sixth form college only does 3 , I think.

It's exacerbated by the fact that students see school as a comfort blanket, don't want to leave and, even if they did, public transport is severely limited.

My dc is being entered for foundation level Maths and Science.
In the Year 10 Edexcel Science exams dc came in the top 15% of their cohort, the school will not consider allowing any of these students to sit the higher.
I have to trust that they are making the right decision but I am not totally convinced.

mountford100 My dc would love to do a BTECH in something computer based but there is literally nothing.
It's either the stretch up to A level and subjects that are of interest or an Apprenticeship in something that holds no interest and what I suspect will become a constant battle to get dc motivated and out the door in the morning.
I can not sit back and let that happen.

My school uses the fact that we're in a MAT to bus kids between schools and increase sixth form options. I think we offer maybe 10 BTECs but not all on our site.

My problems with DD's BTEC:

• a lot less practical than we were led to believe
• very wooly worded assignments, completely unclear what was wanted, especially for Merit and Distinction criteria
• no teaching or guidance on research or data analysis techniques required
• poor classroom behaviour management
• assignments set for 3 units simultaneously in the Oct, so by not understanding some of the above correctly missed the Merit, so immediately couldn't get more than a Pass for all of those first units. (Compared with A levels where you can improve technique over 18 months)
• very limited feedback on where criteria were missed, or ability to see Merit / Distinction level answers to help understand what you were aiming for

I don't know whether these were issues with BTECs, her course, her college, or DD.

I agree with Piggy, very difficult for a student without a "plan" to pick a BTEC. Very important with those students to get comprehensive careers advice, work on choosing an area at the very least that interests them. Where I'm working SOME colleges have the option to do single vocational quals and then make your choice based on the simple formula when I doubt about what you want to do at college:

1. What do I like?
2. What am I interested in?
3. What would I like to study further?

Really, really can't advocate enough to Year 11 parents to research ALL FE provision in your area with your kids and look at the options available. Sometimes, parents without meaning to, have out of date opinions on local colleges which are based on their experience 15-20 years ago.

Piggy, you mention Sixth Form but what about FE colleges? Where are you based?

Can't say on MN! There is one. I don't think most of our students would choose to go there. Some do, obviously.

Here in South Hants we have a fantastic range of options from more or less pure A level colleges, BTEC/vocational colleges, one that has a mix of both, plus Sparsholt that offers animal care, farming, motor mechanics and other outdoor stuff.

I think the Hants model of comps only going to y11 does mean that kids have to make a positive choice rather than going for the 'easy option' of stay at school.

teen that sounds like bad teaching rather than anything else. It is sadly true that good behaviour is not a guarantee post 16.