BTEC or GCSE PE
My son has chosen GCSE PE as one of his options, he enjoys the subject and has done very well in it, also representing the school in 2 sports teams. Yesterday he's come home with the new timetable and hes been put in the BTEC PE group which he's not happy with.(too many children wanting to do gcse pe) He says its limiting him with choices he can make also being continual assesment which he doesnt want to do.
He's going to speak with his teacher today to try and swap to his chosen option.
Any advice on what to do next?
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Depends on what level of BTEC he will be studying for. Here is the guide:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/DG_10039017
+1
No BTEC isn't higher it is meat to be a equivalent qualification but in reality it isnt looked upon the same way by students, teachers and employers.
The BTEC is an EQUIVALENT qualification worth 2 GCSEs. There are no exams and it is all coursework based. There is also a lot more of a coaching aspect to it aswell (in my school we have kids in from a local primary school who the students run training sessions with)
GCSE PE is more biologically based and there are exams.
BTECs are not thought of and regarded as what they once were, They are quickly becoming backbones of curriculums. they are simply a way of learning that suits a different style and if taught well are very good.
How 'academically' able is your son? Better with coursework or exams?
No BTEC isn't higher it is meat to be a equivalent qualification but in reality it isnt looked upon the same way by students, teachers and employers.
BTECS have always been higher than GCSEs
GCSEs are as basic as they come
Edited By: csiman on Jun 07, 2011 11:39
No BTEC isn't higher it is meat to be a equivalent qualification but in reality it isnt looked upon the same way by students, teachers and employers.
BTECS have always been higher than GCSEs
GCSEs are as basic as they come
a level 1 btech is the same as GCSE, where as a level 2 is higher. depends on which level he is doing. But a lot of schools are doing Btechs.
Hope this helps.
EDIT:
I chose to do the BTEC as it was a more hands on and practical approach. I also got 3 distinctions, which was 360 UCAS points, equivalent of 3 As.
There is no shame in BTECs.
Edited By: farfromout on Jun 07, 2011 12:11
Hope this helps.
EDIT:
I chose to do the BTEC as it was a more hands on and practical approach. I also got 3 distinctions, which was 360 UCAS points, equivalent of 3 As.
There is no shame in BTECs.
but nowadays russell groups wont look at people with btec
He decided to opt for the GCSE path after the options evening in school, the BTEC path was not put in a good light by one of the sports teachers, who said its more self directed learning, vast amounts of course work, and better suited to those who dont like exams. also the amount of sports is limited.
He's doing well in this subject because he enjoys it, and enjoys all sports. He's doing well at school, and is looking ahead at what he wants to do.
He was gutted yesterday, and I only hope he can sort this out today, If not I need a plan of what to do next.
In Level 3 (equivalent to A Level) a distinction is like an 'A' grade A-Level, a Merit is a 'C' grade and Pass is an 'E' grade
I would definitely try and get him on the GCSE course though, BTEC is a vast amount of coursework, whilst I didn't find the theory part of GCSE PE difficult at all.
In Level 3 (equivalent to A Level) a distinction is like an 'A' grade A-Level, a Merit is a 'C' grade and Pass is an 'E' grade
I would definitely try and get him on the GCSE course though, BTEC is a vast amount of coursework, whilst I didn't find the theory part of GCSE PE difficult at all.
I did btech level 2 at college and it would have got me into uni.
The BTEC is an EQUIVALENT qualification worth 2 GCSEs. There are no exams and it is all coursework based. There is also a lot more of a coaching aspect to it aswell (in my school we have kids in from a local primary school who the students run training sessions with)
GCSE PE is more biologically based and there are exams.
BTECs are not thought of and regarded as what they once were, They are quickly becoming backbones of curriculums. they are simply a way of learning that suits a different style and if taught well are very good.
How 'academically' able is your son? Better with coursework or exams?
Thanks for the actual facts
Thanks for the actual facts
Oh and just to clarify further i mean the BTEC your son will be taking at Secondary...The BTECs at colleges are different and equivalent to different qualifications.
Failing that, is there a student who's currently on the GCSE course who'd prefer the BTEC course? If so then they could simply ask to swap.
In Level 3 (equivalent to A Level) a distinction is like an 'A' grade A-Level, a Merit is a 'C' grade and Pass is an 'E' grade
I would definitely try and get him on the GCSE course though, BTEC is a vast amount of coursework, whilst I didn't find the theory part of GCSE PE difficult at all.
I did btech level 2 at college and it would have got me into uni.
It depends on the course you are applying for and what level you are starting at, I assume a Level 2 BTec would be enough to get into a foundation degree. Do you get Ucas points for a level 2 BTEC?
The BTEC is an EQUIVALENT qualification worth 2 GCSEs. There are no exams and it is all coursework based. There is also a lot more of a coaching aspect to it aswell (in my school we have kids in from a local primary school who the students run training sessions with)
GCSE PE is more biologically based and there are exams.
BTECs are not thought of and regarded as what they once were, They are quickly becoming backbones of curriculums. they are simply a way of learning that suits a different style and if taught well are very good.
How 'academically' able is your son? Better with coursework or exams?
Thanks for the actual facts
This is part true - it depends on whether he will be entered for a Certifcate (worth 2 GCSE grades) or the Diploma (worth 4 GCSE) grades.