Always Learning
Always Learning

BTEC Firsts from 2012 | BTECs and your current Year 9 learners

On 16th March 2012, the DfE published an update to their approved list of non-GCSE qualification that will count in school headline measures from 2014.

This revised list takes into account any new qualifications that have been accredited by Ofqual since the initial List was published in January 2012. This means that we have been able to update our guidance to centres below, taking into consideration the status of our newly accredited next generation BTEC First Awards. This new advice also includes news on our successful appeals for Childcare and Hospitality qualifications.
    

expand For: Applied Science and Performing Arts

If your Year 9 learners are currently on a QCF BTEC Level 2 Certificate (90glh)
 
Whilst still valuable in progression terms, the achievements of these learners will not be recognised in 2014 headline measures as the qualifications are smaller than 120glh. If headline measures are important, centres have 2 options:
  1. Move up to a QCF Extended Certificate (180glh) or Diploma (360glh), which have now been confirmed as being recognised in 2014 headline measures.
     
  2. Consider transferring to a new NQF BTEC Firsts Award (120glh). These are now accredited and it has been confirmed that achievements on these qualifications in Applied Science and Performing Arts will be recognised in the 2014 headline measures. We will open up these qualifications for transfers from 1st April 2012.

Contact us on 0844 576 0026 to discuss these options further, or email your queries to btec@edexcel.com.

If your Year 9 learners are currently on a QCF BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate (180glh)

It has been confirmed that achievements on these qualifications will be recognised in the 2014 headline measures.
 
If your Year 9 learners are currently on a QCF BTEC Level 2 Diploma (360glh)

It has been confirmed that achievements on these qualifications will be recognised in the 2014 headline measures.

expand For: Art & Design, Business, Construction, Creative Media Production, Engineering, Health & Social Care, IT, Music, Sport, Travel & Tourism

Whilst next generation BTEC First Awards (NQF) in Art & Design, Business, Engineering, Health & Social Care, Information & Creative Technology and Sport are now fully accredited by Ofqual, they are not included in this update DfE List of approved qualifications. We are currently seeking clarification from the DfE as to why this is and whether an appeal is appropriate. In the meantime, the following summary applies to your current Year 9 learners in these subjects, and in Construction, Creative Media Production, Music and Travel & Tourism.

If your Year 9 learners are currently on a QCF BTEC Level 2 Certificate (90glh)

Whilst still valuable in progression terms, the achievements of these learners will not be recognised in 2014 headline measures as the qualifications are smaller than 120glh. If headline measures are important, you should consider moving these learners up to a QCF Extended Certificate (180glh) which is confirmed as being recognised in 2014 headline measures.
 
If your Year 9 learners are currently on a QCF BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate (180glh)

It has been confirmed that achievements on these qualifications will be recognised in the 2014 headline measures.
 
If your Year 9 learners are currently on a QCF BTEC Level 2 Diploma (360glh)

It has been confirmed that achievements on these qualifications will be recognised in the 2014 headline measures.

expand For: Childcare (CCLD) and Hospitality

Following their omission from the January 2012 List, we lodged an appeal for the status of these qualifications to be reconsidered in respect of their recognition in headline measures from 2014. We are pleased to confirm that our appeals have been successful and the following qualifications are now on the revised list (pending the development of a successor qualification which is in progress).

  • BTEC Level 2 First Certificate in Children’s Care, Learning & Development (NQF) (180glh)
     
  • BTEC Level 2 First Diploma in Hospitality (QCF) (360glh)

This means that if your current Year 9 learners are on either of the above qualifications, it has been confirmed that their achievements will be recognised in 2014 headline measures. For Hospitality, any Year 9 learners on the Extended Certificate (180glh) would need to move up to the larger sized Diploma (360glh) listed above in order for their achievements to be recognized in 2014 headline measures.

Please note that, in all cases under the new guidelines, these qualifications will only be recognised as ‘one’ in the tables.

expand For: Public Services and Landbased

No sizes of these qualifications will count in 2014 headline measures

These qualifications weren’t approved for the 2014 List. However, we are considering redeveloping these for future Lists. They will still count in broader Performance Measures and carry the same value in achievement and progression terms for the individual learner who wants to study and progress in these vocational areas.
 
If headline measures are important, there may be alternative options available, for example:

  • Moving across to a listed subject
     
  • Considering alternatives, such as Principal Learning.

Please contact us to discuss your centre’s specific requirements.