BTEC: shaping a new landscape
Dear colleagues
In March, I wrote to you sharing our plans to build a new generation of BTEC qualifications, and asking for your views.
Thank you for your incredibly supportive responses, which underline BTEC’s educational value in developing problem solving, team-working and independent study skills. You’ve affirmed my belief that a balanced curriculum with well-respected academic and vocational pathways is central to social mobility.
But you’ve also said you want us to make the changes we’re proposing, doing more to help all learners study a varied curriculum and keep their options open post-16. We can also improve on the perceived reliability of BTEC assessments, and give you more support with the associated workload.
Learners rightly want their qualifications to have credibility across colleges, universities and employers which is second to none. While BTECs have already helped hundreds of thousands of learners to progress to further study and employment, we’re going to raise the bar.
So, for first teaching in September 2012:
- We will redesign a suite of BTECs at Levels 1 and 2 for teaching in the school environment.
- This suite will be developed in subjects which are not solely occupationally focused, and which support a range of progression pathways – in the first instance, Art and Design; Business; Health and Social Care; IT; Performing Arts; Applied Science and Sport.
- We will offer BTECs in sizes which fit more easily into broader curriculum models, alongside - and in support of - academic options.
- We will introduce additional support, training and sampling for teacher-led assessment to ensure consistency, rigour and reliability.
- All BTECs in schools will contain a minimum of 20% externally assessed content.
Combined, these changes will improve student performance around knowledge retention, numeracy and literacy; raise confidence in assessments and, ultimately, guarantee the continuing value of the BTEC against other qualifications.
A word about GCSE and A Level. These qualifications are the gold standard for academic learning. We’ll continue to promote their take-up in schools and strive to improve them too because, currently, they offer the most widely recognised currency for progression to university. But with your support for developing BTEC, and because practical learning is of increasing importance in the global economy, we are confident BTEC progression will increasingly keep pace with academic qualifications. Indeed, we’re already seeing widespread evidence of this happening.
Implementing these changes commits us to an investment in time - and in your support. We’re already working with you to get your views, and to explain our thinking in more detail. Please see the 'Briefing Events' tab above for details of the 150+ events we are holding around the country to start this process.
Thank you as ever for your support.
Please join the debate on our Facebook page or leave a comment on this site.
Rod Bristow
President, Pearson UK
Have your say
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Comments
Mr Adam Reed, 04/10/11
I am very concerned about more Vocationally / practically minded subjects; like Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Construction strands - will these be re-...
Moderator, 05/10/11
Thanks for your post. I've asked the question (and forwarded your concern) on your behalf but in the meantime, keep an eye on this website for updates...
Mr David Nicol, 14/09/11
I am very passionate about the BTec System I think it is an excellent one. I would like to see a level six qualification. I would also like more r...
Moderator, 05/10/11
Thanks for your post. I've forwarded your comments, both about the need for higher level resources and about literacy/numeracy standards at other leve...
Independan Robin Giles, 08/09/11
I am a consultant working with a local juvenile prison. At the moment they are delivering short courses e.g. L1 & L2. Some of these courses GLH's a...
Moderator, 08/10/11
Quite a specific question - can I suggest you call the BTEC Helpline on 0844 576 0026 as they are probably best placed to be able to put you in touch ...
Independan Robin Giles, 08/09/11
I am a consultant working with a local juvenile prison. At the moment they are delivering short courses e.g. L1 & L2. Some of these courses GLH's a...
Moderator, 24/10/11
Quite a specific question - can I suggest you call the BTEC Helpline on 0844 576 0026 as they are probably best placed to be able to put you in touch ...
Mr Lee Nolan, 30/08/11
I am ex-forces (army) and deliver BTEC Public Services. I think the BTEC's are a great idea but they do need re-vamping. Alot of students tend to cut ...
Moderator, 05/10/11
Thanks for comment. It looks as if external assessment in some form will be a part of future BTECs. Keep an eye on this site for announcements.
Mr Paul Brown, 30/06/11
I am really against a two tier system of Level 2 BTEC provision. I understand there is a proposal to have a pre 16 and post 16 level 2 BTEC qualificat...
Moderator, 05/10/11
Thanks for your post. I've forwarded your comments. Keep an eye on this site for announcements as BTECs develop.
Mr Michael Bean, 28/06/11
The old Applied GCSE (vocational GCSE) would be an excellent model to start from. Externally assessed but with the curriculum freedom of the BTECs. ...
Moderator,
Mr Arpan Dutta, 15/06/11
Like the 20% externally assesd bit. We need something to bring some weight to BTEC and stop making it a GSCE dishing out qualification. Make it like A...
Moderator,
MR Paul Riley, 19/05/11
I have been teaching outside the Uk for the past 3 years. However my experience of BTEC (setting up and running courses in science at Level 2 and 3) i...
Moderator,
Miss shivani govinida, 15/05/11
I am a student currently doing the Health and Social Care Level 3 course. I think BETECS are a gift from God as they have given me the time to figure ...
Moderator,
Mr Pete Camp, 14/05/11
I believe that BTEC’s have a very valuable place in the curriculum and provide an opportunities for students who do not suit the traditional GCSE/A-le...
Moderator,
Mr Ashley Stapleton, 11/05/11
I was very upset to read the comment on this site which said BTEC's should be scrapped as they were worthless. The solution is simple, if you do not ...
Moderator,
Mr Simon Barnes, 10/05/11
I am alarmed to see that the "first instance" list of subjects for first teaching in schools from 2012 does not include Creative Media Production. Thi...
Moderator,
Mr Philip Cowan, 09/05/11
BTECs should be scrapped. I have taught BTEC and in HE, as well as working in the private and public sector outwith education. It is my firm con...
Moderator,
Mr Ashley Stapleton, 09/05/11
I feel that BTEC's in schools have become very valuable and would see that the introduction of a two tier BTEC would not help with progression. If sc...
Moderator,
MR Bob Willerton, 08/05/11
Reflecting on 25 years of teaching BTEC IT - mainly at level 3 - I believe we need to review the assesment framework. I can say that in the early days...
Moderator, 18/07/11
Miss Georgina Smith, 06/05/11
To be valid BTEC needs to have more emphasis on retaining knowledge it is to easy to complete work and then forget it. Learning is not just the abilit...
Moderator,
Miss Sharon Whitehouse, 05/05/11
Having taught Btec courses at levels 1 to 3 over the last 6 years in an FE college I can honestly say from experience that my students enjoy them, ach...
Moderator,
Mr Roland Metcalf, 03/05/11
In the past I was involved in the BTEC HND rewrites, prior to their incorporation in the NQF. I was co-writer of the first HND in Performing Arts at U...
Moderator,
Mrs Alison Barton, 03/05/11
We stayed on the Legacy specification this year due to the late 'arrival' of the new spec. We are now planning and writing materials for the new speci...
Moderator,
Mr Bob Ainsworth, 02/05/11
I get the feeling that I am being conned! I have worked hard to ensure that the quality of what I offer is to an excellent standard. Now people will t...
Moderator,
Mrs Angela Irons, 02/05/11
Entry level BTECs have reengaged our learners and encouraged them to apply for FE courses. They lack confidence in themselves and their abilities - ha...
Moderator,
Mrs Patricia Swaby, 28/04/11
Having taught Btec level 2 and 3 for over 20 years the problems are still the same - even though Btec 'revamp' their courses every few years the under...
Moderator,
Mrs Dominique Stainton, 28/04/11
Having trained in FE nearly 20 years ago and now working in secondary education; I believe that the return of an external assessment would be benefici...
Moderator,
Mrs Michelle Reynolds, 28/04/11
We have just implemented the level 2 BTEC in Applied Science and have invested alot of time in the course. I feel that implementing an exam as the 20%...
Moderator,
Mr Steve Lewis, 27/04/11
I have two comments to make about future developments with BTECS. Firstly, I wonder what is driving the need to introduce 20% external assessment to ...
Moderator,
Dr Madeleine Lyus, 26/04/11
As Head of Science in a medical PRU, I introduced BTEC Applied Science for our students, primarily because it was a Portfolio course, without exam pre...
Moderator,
Ms Yvette Trought, 25/04/11
We have just invested in new books for the BTEC changes which have occurred this year. We invested time and effort into preparing for the Lead verifie...
Moderator,
Miss C Foster, 25/04/11
I am a Health and Social Care/Psychology teacher in an 11-18 comprehensive. I have taught both the Applied HSC A level and the BTEC First/National. ...
Moderator,
Mr Keir Stanley, 21/04/11
BTEC First Business When the GNVQ Intermediate Qualification ran it has 1/3 external assessment. This was the finance unit and all worked very wel...
Moderator, 19/07/11
Mr Graham Knight, 20/04/11
Marking Level 3 Engineering assignments inc numerous resubmissions, is a heavy workload and given the technical nature of the subject it is very hard ...
Moderator,
Dr Mike Shahid, 20/04/11
Here are my personal opinions based on what the students say to me.... I think the BTEC format should stay the same - internal marking and external...
Moderator,
Miss Louise Clarke, 20/04/11
I believe that vocational studies provide a pathway to HE for learners who are unable to cope with traditional A Levels. I do feel however that we are...
Moderator,
Mrs Paula Simmons, 17/04/11
Dear Mr Bristow, Thanks for the opportunity to offer my opinion: I am involved in delivery of Level 3 BTEC IT - because of the ever-improving BT...
Moderator,
Dr Kome Efue, 15/04/11
BTECs are a great way to provide opportunities for learners to acquire both academic and practical skills for a successful life at work and elsewhere....
Moderator,
Mr Paul Appleby, 14/04/11
I am a great believer in BTECs. I hear so many positive comments from parents on how the courses have developed their son/daughter and that they woul...
Moderator,
Mrs Annette Chesterman, 13/04/11
I am a proponent of vocational teaching - it has such a major impact on the motivation and self-esteem of students. Whilst I believe that our children...
Moderator,
Mrs Jane Strugnell, 12/04/11
I am teaching BTEC National Diploma in IT for the first time this year and I do think the assessment is flawed. I have taught Applied A level, AVCE an...
Moderator, 19/07/11
Mr Kevin Alderson, 12/04/11
I teach maths to Level 3 & 4 BTEC engineering students. I don't agree with the way BTEC is currently assessed because the assignments are just too 'bl...
Moderator,
Ms Valerie McCarroll, 12/04/11
Being relatively new to delivering BTEC Level 2 Music and having experienced the quality and formality of the training that is required to personally...
Moderator,
Ms Valerie McCarroll, 12/04/11
Being relatively new to delivering BTEC Level 2 Music and having experienced the quality and formality of the training that is required to personally...
Moderator,
Mrs Liz Rasheed, 11/04/11
External assessment will give BTECs the credibility they previously lacked in the eyes of some (not mine- I'm a great supporter of BTEC as it is). We...
Moderator,
Ms S Ray, 10/04/11
You could consder some form of online external assessment if you feel that you have to go the external assessment route - maybe linked with a specific...
Moderator, 19/07/11
Mr Pete King, 08/04/11
having worked in Business for 30 years prior to being a FE teacher, my comments are 1. Vocational BTECs should be vocational, so the assessment of...
Moderator,
miss manmeet kapoor, 07/04/11
I believe that BTEC subjects are valuable as other A level subjects as it gives an individual necessary skills that could be used in higher education ...
Moderator,
Mr David Ballantyne, 07/04/11
It may sound flippant but I mean it - STABILITY - stop changing vocational qualifications every 2 years so that lecturers are always novices , never e...
Moderator,
Mr John Duncan Morris, 07/04/11
The assignments need a greater degree of imposed framework in my opinion. I am an advocate of having the tutor design assignments and would be inte...
Moderator,
Mr John Duncan Morris, 07/04/11
The assignments need a greater degree of imposed framework in my opinion. I am an advocate of having the tutor design assignments and would be inte...
Moderator,
Mr. Phil Sutherland, 07/04/11
In numerous discussions with colleagues over the years the story is always the same. We would like standardised external assessments or assignments. I...
Moderator,
Mrs Barbara King, 06/04/11
We are a fully inclusive comprehensive and have found BTECS to be a valuable addition to our curriculum offer. Students have definately benefitted, no...
Moderator, 19/07/11
Mrs C Green, 06/04/11
I have been teaching BTECs for the last 7 years and like the current assessment process - however I think that some external assessment in the form of...
Moderator, 19/07/11
Mr Steve Harris, 06/04/11
Good idea, providing all the work is done and paid for by edexcel, and not left to the colleges and lecturers to deal with. The last attempt 'Salchest...
Moderator,
Mrs S McGinnety, 05/04/11
We are currently running a BTEC Workskills here in school at Level 2. I have a team of 15 people delivering the subject to Y11 and we have just rolle...
Moderator,
Mr Trevor Haydon, 04/04/11
I believe that course work should form the backbone of the BTEC qualifications but that external assessment helps focus students minds to a greater de...
Moderator,
Mr Gerard Mallaghan, 04/04/11
On a side note I think Pearson should be ashamed of the level 3 science teacher pack that they produced for the Applied Science. I can speak for any o...
Moderator,
Mr G Mallaghan, 04/04/11
The reason that we implemented the level 2 and 3 Btecs was to provide an alternative for students who worked hard all year, met all deadlines and gene...
Moderator, 19/07/11
Mrs Margareet Reid, 04/04/11
If external assessment is to return to BTEC it will nto be such a bad thing but it needs to be in a format that assesses each unit as it is taken. R...
Moderator, 19/07/11
Mr Ian Rogers, 04/04/11
I have found one of the most damaging aspects of delivering the BTEC Extended Dip course is the continual chipping away at the time needed to deliver ...
Moderator,
Dr Chris Phillipson, 04/04/11
BTEC should strengthen their HN curriculum at FE colleges and seek degree awarding powers from the Privy Council at the earliest opportunity. Part-tim...
Moderator,
Mr Mario Apap, 04/04/11
As much as internal assessment benefit certain students who opt for vocational qualifications, the fact is that internal assessments puts a lot of pre...
Moderator,
Mrs Tina Chinn, 31/03/11
I would agree that external assessment would be beneficial to the BTEC in that it would provide a form of standardisation in the marking. There is a w...
Moderator,
Mr Gavin Gray, 31/03/11
The level of form filling involved with the new btec in applied science is beyond what could be considered good afl or good QA . At a time when the ...
Moderator,
Ms J Mather, 31/03/11
I was a great doubter of BTECs for 14-16 year olds, but having just completed the course with a cohort of pupils I am a convert to this form of vocati...
Moderator,
Ms Ruth Daniel, 31/03/11
I think the BTEC courses does need some form of external assessment, even if it is based on the core units that needs to be delivered. Maybe 50% assig...
Moderator,
Mrs Liz Ingram, 31/03/11
Would love to see phase tests and end tests again in some of the units to improve the rigour of BTEC qualifications. 100% coursework is not good. It g...
Moderator,
mr kevin mitchell, 31/03/11
The 20% guideline for vocational courses from the wolf report, does not address the needs of students who are at the lower end of the ability spectrum...
Moderator,
Mr Col Campbell, 31/03/11
Not sure what the future holds. For ICT especially as the knives are out due to the ill-thought out and knee jerk, child-like decisions coming from M ...
Moderator,
Dr Shaun Kirby, 31/03/11
The best course I have seen was the AQA applied science...there were three units, two assessed internally, one through 'set' experiments, the other on...
Moderator,
Mr Royce Timms, 31/03/11
As a construction teacher these past 3 years working in a North London Academy I have always been concerned at the lack of external peer review in the...
Moderator,
Mr Martin Gainey, 31/03/11
I completed a BTEC when i was in the 6th form and it gave me the confidence i needed, to know i could complete accedemic work and that i was able to a...
Moderator, 19/07/11
Mr stephen ransom, 31/03/11
i would like to see external assessments in areas of vocational experience such as exams which assess understanding of work roles( such as in my area-...
Moderator,
Mrs Mary Brickwood, 31/03/11
having recently left work and started teaching Btec as new career - I have found that our college seems to have higher standards than others when stud...
Moderator,
Mr Paul Darbyshire, 31/03/11
Having gone through the new process of Centre risk assessment and recieving outstanding feedback on the process and procedures in our centre, why do E...
Moderator,
Mr Jon Stone, 31/03/11
Why not reinstate the NSS visit which you have recently scrapped? I teach Media Production at Level 3 and when I started teaching BTEC in 2003, all F...
Moderator,
Mr Mark Jones, 31/03/11
Aside from the educational debate about whether exams or coursework are the best way of assessing learners, I want to comment on how you might be able...
Moderator,
Mr John O'Connell, 31/03/11
The reason BTEC works is because there are no exams, the only way this could work for art & design would be an externally assessed final exhibition
Mr. S Khare, 08/01/12
Hi, Can you please tell me the full form of BTEC. I have been struggling to find it anywhere on your website. :-)
Moderator, 09/01/12
Hi - thanks for the question, which is quite a big one as the answer depends on things such as the level and the subject. I can recommend this page...
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