BTEC

NQF L2

AS/A2

NVQ

AQA

GCSE

BTEC Business & Technical Education Council

NQF L2 National Qualification Framework Level 2

AS/A2 Advanced Subsidiary / A2

NVQ National Vocational Qualification

AQA Assessment & Qualification Alliance

GCSE General Certificate of Secondary Education

Which educational pathways are available for young people post-16?

The above screen shot is from the National Careers Service website

What are the different qualifications available?

Who are the different education providers?

NQF Level Examples of Qualifications

4 – 8 Degree / BTEC Level 4+ “Higher National” / NVQ L4+

3GCE AS/A2 grades A-E

BTEC Level 3“Nationals”

Advanced Apprenticeship

2GCSE grades A*-

CBTEC Level 2

“Firsts”Apprenticeship

1 GCSE grades D-G BTEC Level 1

What levels in the NQF are available?

Which subjects can you study?

In what ways do you learn?

How are the courses structured?

How is learning assessed?

Who provides these courses?

How many of these courses are taken?

What levels in the NQF are available? Level 3

Which subjects can you study? Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, etc. Geography, History, Law, Politics, Sociology, etc. Dance, Theatre Studies, Music, PE, etc. Art, Graphics, Resistant Materials, Textiles, etc. French, German, Spanish, etc. English Language, English Literature, Media Studies, etc. Economics, Business Studies, ICT, Maths, etc.

In what ways do you learn?

“Formal” classroom focus

Relationship of theoretical to practical

Need for considerable student independence

How are the courses structured?

AS either 2 or 3 units

A2 either 2 or 3 further units

How is learning assessed? Largely by traditional examinations One examination season per year (May/June) AS in 1st year, A2 in 2nd year

Who provides these courses? School Sixth Forms Sixth Form Colleges

How many of these courses are taken? Year 12 – normally 4 AS courses Year 13 – normally 3 A2 courses

What levels in the NQF are available? Levels 1-3

Which subjects can you study? Business, Administration & Finance Creative & Media Engineering Environmental & Land-based Studies Public Services Society, Health & Development Sport & Active Leisure etc

In what ways do you learn? Combination of classroom-based and practical learning Strong emphasis on applied knowledge & skills Work-related learning is integral

How are the courses structured? Core units – all must be studied but have a variety of “sizes” Specialist units – element of choice

How are the courses assessed? Internal – majority of units assessed this way

Portfolio of evidence assessed within the ‘centre’ Internal verifiers check assessment decisions and, in turn, external verifiers

check these decisions

External – minority of units assessed this way Externally set and marked

Who provides these courses? Separate educational institutions Large range at FE Colleges (Macclesfield, Stockport,

Reaseheath) and Sixth Form Colleges (Cheadle & Marple) Smaller range at High Schools (Wilmslow High)

How many of these courses are taken? At present most BTEC courses are full-time qualifications

for post-16 students Eg at Wilmslow - BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport

However, they will be increasingly available to study alongside A-Levels Eg at Wilmslow - BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Creative

Media Production (“iMedia”)

What levels in the NQF are available? Levels 2-4

What subjects do you study? Accounts or Marketing Agriculture or Equine or Wildlife Management Construction or Electricians or Plumbing Dental or Optical or Pharmacy Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies IT or Telecoms Leisure or Hospitality or Travel Motor Vehicle Manufacturing or Repair Retail and services etc

In what ways do you learn? “On the job” experience & training Getting a job is the first requirement! Supported by “off-the-job” training

How are the courses structured? Range of job-related qualifications e.g. NVQs

How is learning assessed? Observation by assessor Portfolio of evidence Examinations

Who provides these courses? Getting a job is the first requirement!

Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Service www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Training providers such as FE colleges

How many of these courses are taken? Each apprenticeship is full-time Length varies between one and four years

Advice and guidance – who to ask: Subject Teachers Form Tutor Heads of House Wilmslow Sixth Form courses - Mr Hancock and

Mrs Cook Careers Education – Mr P Jones Careers Advisor – Dr Rowe Work Experience – Mrs Stephens Websites

Information, advice and guidance

Information, advice and guidance

AS & A2 courses in the majority of subjects

BTEC in Sport and Creative Media

‘Outstanding’ Results

Excellent enrichment opportunities

Knowledge of your son or daughter!

All students must apply for a place

5 GCSE subjects with grades A* - C including English Language

Individual subjects may strongly recommend minimum grades

Other subjects may stipulate minimum grade requirements

Unless they have at least a grade C at GCSE all students, must continue to study English and maths during 16-19 study programmes.

This become grade D from 2015-16.

This is part of a national effort to raise numeracy and literacy levels, which are feared to have dropped in comparison with other developed countries.

www.wayahead-cheshireeast.co.uk/