BTECs: Secure now and for the future
On Friday 16 March the DfE published an updated list of qualifications which will count towards headline measures in school performance tables from 2014.
We are surprised not to see our next generation BTEC First Award in Sport (NQF) on the list.
Since the publication of the initial list in January 2012, all nine of our new BTEC Next Generation suite have been accredited by Ofqual. These new 120 GLH qualifications meet all the characteristics required of high-quality vocational qualifications for 14- to 16-year-olds under the guidance laid down by the Wolf Report.
They have also been enthusiastically received by hundreds of you attending our recent launch events.
We believe BTEC Sport's exclusion from Friday's list to be a result of a technicality and we are in active discussions with the DfE as to how this can be resolved as quickly as possible.
We won’t know the outcome of these discussions until after Easter, but in the meantime we want to stress that you still have a number of options to deliver BTECs and get them recognised appropriately in headline measures, and performance tables generally.
BTECs in Sport from September 2012
If you want to offer BTEC Sport as an option for your level 2 learners and ensure these learners’ achievements are recognised in 2014 headline measures, you can.
The following existing QCF qualifications have been confirmed as qualifying for 2014 headline measures recognition:
BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Sport (180 GLH)
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sport (360 GLH)
In addition, as soon as we have any news on our discussion, we will get in touch with you to confirm the situation with the additional option of the next generation BTEC First Award in Sport (120 GLH).
Either way, BTECs can remain at the heart of your vocational teaching now and for a new generation of learners.
How can you help ensure the new BTECs get on to the list as soon as possible?
We know that there are many schools who want to move to the new BTECs as soon as possible – they will be the best vocational qualifications for the future, they fit well into the curriculum at 120 GLH and they embody all the principles of high-quality vocational learning outlined in the Wolf Report.
If you have any questions, please contact us at btec@edexcel.com. |