A level/btec subject choice - is this too narrow

[AlexanderHamilton]

Dd is applying to study musical theatre at various colleges/schools.

One school offers a btec diploma in musical theatre plus 2 A levels. Dd wants to study English Literature as her first choice & she's put Theatre Studies as her second choice. She can't do music as it's in the same option block as English.

I think that's a bit narrow. The other subjects available to her at this particular school are Dance, History, French, History of Art or Film Studies.

No she hasn't visited. It's not been possible due to distance & GCSE mocks etc to visit them all.

I'll be honest & say I'd prefer her to stay closer to home too - I don't think she's ready for London at 16.

I've got friends with children at TP by the way. - Year 11, 12 & red year dip

Have you conversed with KatyMac ? Her DD did Dance away from home at 16 I believe. She might have experience you could learn from.

Maths English dance?

I personally would have her do History. English and History would probably translate well to any degree and help her with musical theatre as it can give context around plays etc.

Also a lot of posh actors seem to have degrees in classics, history, or English literature.

We & our dd's are friends in real life teen.

She isn't doing History Gcse Raving as it clashed with French & she wanted to do a language at GCSE

Maths & English are in the same A level option blocks st Arts Ed but different blocks at Hammond.

A-levels aside, has she looked into the three year Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre at Doreen Bird or Laine Theatre Arts? 16+ entry, three year course, DaDA funding available and can be converted to a BA (Hons) course by a further year of study. It is more akin to going to university though which may or may not work for you from a "growing up" perspective.

I think at age 16 it is ok to go down a very specialist route if they are talented and get into a great college. A-levels can be done at a later date if needed. What is most important is that she gets a strong set of GCSE results and I do worry about some schools (which will remain nameless) who do not put the emphasis on the importance of these exams.

If you want to combine A-levels and vocational then Tring Park is the place to be. Very much a school environment still and I know people who did not get a place in the sixth form as they weren't academic enough (or maybe replace that with couldn't be bothered to do the work.) Hammond is also good but not as academic IMO.

She doesn't want to go to one of the big London colleges. Dh used to teach at Bird so we are all familiar with their. They've expanded hugely in recent years.

She's been offered 3 year diploma at Hammond.

I cannot understand why you are so worried about "narrow" A level choices then, Alexandra? You have not said what she may do if she does not get work and needs another qualification. What role will the A levels play? If any? English and Theatre are narrow and with the BTec in Musical Theatre, they are exceptionally narrow, but what is the problem with that if she does not actually want to do anything with them?

Alexander -then our DDs will have friends in common I'm sure :)
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