Scrapping Btechs

[bear66]

Any one in education got views on this? Ths seems a backward step as Btechs seem a valid alternative to A levels for progressing to further education. Ex Tory minister Kenneth Baker is opposed to it in the link calling it vandalism.

The T levels may be putting employers first, but surely students should be more than employer fodder at the age of 16.

Link

 

[Primus84]

BTECs weren't perfect but they were an excellent route for a lot of students. This Government hasn't a clue on education, it's yet another in a long line of ideologically motivated changes for the worse for students and staff in education.

 

[TheYorkshireTerrier]

I really don’t understand the thinking behind this, speaking as someone who did a BTEC and went on to get a first class degree. I had zero interest in doing A levels.

 

[afcb_acklam]

I loved my BTEC! 2 years of snooker & boozing, and the odd bit of work. Perfect.

 

[Centralscrutinizer]

The BTEC was the perfect route for the average, could try harder, kid like me to get eased into higher education and make a decent career for themselves.

 

[Teesside_Steel]

I work in a sixth form. BTEC classes are always seen as the easier route and therefore the A level students tend to look down on them.

 

[Anton_Berg]

I work in a sixth form. BTEC classes are always seen as the easier route and therefore the A level students tend to look down on them.

A prejudice that may be encountered again in later life. Not sure how the proposed alternative helps though. For anyone with time on their hands, I would recommend 'Head, Hand, Heart' by David GoodHart.

 

[Pak_Doo_Ik]

I loved my BTEC years, I did a year of A Levels and hated them, then my tutor told me about the BTEC and never looked back. As for A level pupils looking down on us, I really didnt care as I seemed to have much more fun than A level kids

 

[Lightweight]

The BTEC was the perfect route for the average, could try harder, kid like me to get eased into higher education and make a decent career for themselves.

Describes me to a tee also. I would never have had the confidence in later life to complete an OU degree in my thirties if it was for doing my BTEC as part of my apprenticeship.

 

[Boro in Devon]

I did the whole run of BTEC courses from the General - National then HND. Loved them, far more practical than traditional courses. Never held me back, apart from some snooty recruiters who thought Has No Degree

 

[joeydiaz]

Did both A Levels and a BTEC. BTEC was more difficult.

 

[Lightweight]

Also not sure what the BTEC format is like today but in the 1980’s you studied a module, took an exam / test / or completed a project and you would move onto the next module ( each module took about 4-6 weeks on the HND course I completed) so it reduced the pressure on one big exam at the end of your course. This was ideal for for students like me who went to a poor comprehensive that did not teach exam techniques so built up confidence in your abilities.
I have a nephew who took the BTEC route and completed a civil engineering degree in Newcastle last year.

 

[bigbob]

I really don’t understand the thinking behind this, speaking as someone who did a BTEC and went on to get a first class degree. I had zero interest in doing A levels.

Same here