BTEC Art and Design vs 2 GSCE's Art and Textiles

[woolie68]

My daughter is currently choosing her GCSE options. She is keen to do Art and Textiles as two separate GSCE's. The school are advising that she should take a BTEC instead. They say its because the each of the GCSE's involve a very heavy workload and I have heard this from other parents. But then on the other hand they say BTEC is equivalent to two GCSE's. She has been told she is on the gifted and talented register for Art so I'm sure she is capable enough. We are both bit concerned that the BTEC may be too industry related and not as exploratory as GCSE. I want her to make the right choice now as she is very keen to pursue art in the future. Does any one have any thoughts and how is the BTEC viewed for A level progression and beyond??? Thanks!

At my daughter's girls grammar the pupils are not allowed to take both art and textiles due to heavy course work load in both subjects. .Would it be possible for her to skip textiles GCSE and to take it as an AS level in year 11? Not sure about BTEC, DD's school are a bit sniffy about them though I dont know if that attitude is deserved or not.

Thanks - I think after lots of toing and froing she is going to take the plunge for the hard work route of two GCSE's- seems they will be more flexible in the long run. Had some very helpful advice from connexions and also rang the local colleges that she would progress to - talking to people is definitely the way forward!

I haven't posted on here for years, and even then it was under another name.

Anyway, I teach Textiles GCSE and have taught art GCSE. Nearly all my classes do art as well. The 2 subjects support each other, as there are transferable skills

Controlled coursework is new this year. This means a massive redcution in coursework load for students. All the work for coursework is meant to be mainly carried out in the classroom, under eye of teacher to prevent plagarism, parental help etc.

We do both course at A level as well. I had 15 students in my A2 class this year, 11 of them do art A level as well. They all coped and have got really good grades for coursework.

If she is interested in that area, than she should do both. It really isn't a problem

Sue 52. Is your daughter in Year 10 or 11?

Current year 10 should be doing the controlled assessment for coursework. This should be approximately 40 -45 hours. Students should not have any coursework load as that is one of the points of controlled assessment. There might be a tiny bit to do at home, but only a very very small amount. The idea is that it is meant to be done in school.

To say the coursework of art and textiles is too big is totally wrong!

I also teach Textiles GCSE and I back up what has been said. ost of my Textiles class also do Art GCSE and they do go well together. I have never had an issue with students saying coursework from both is too much.

Is she can do the 2 GCSE's I would go for it.

Thanks this is great, I am beginning to feel that the school needs bums on seats for the BTEC course and they are willing to push my daughter that way even if its not best for her. I shall be asking about controlled coursework!!!