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Always Learning
Always Learning



BTECs: the most widely approved qualifications on the new DfE List 

On 16 March 2012, the DfE published an updated version of their document Key Stage 4 performance tables: Inclusion of 14-16 qualifications from 2014. This confirms the additional non-GCSE qualifications that will count in school headline measures from 2014.
 
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications form the largest part of the list, accounting for 45 of the 81 qualifications confirmed as contributing to the key 'five A*-C' measures. However, we're surprised not to see some of our next generation BTEC First Awards on the list.  
 

expand What you will see on the list:

 Full list of Edexcel and BTEC-approved qualifications

 All of our Principal Learning qualifications – full list
   

  • BTEC First Awards in Applied Science (NQF)
  • BTEC First Award in Performing Arts (NQF)

We can confirm that these next generation BTEC First Awards are on the revised list. If headline measures are important to you, this now gives you a choice for your learners starting Year 10 in September 2012. You can either continue teaching the 2010 QCF specifications (Extended Certificate or Diploma), or start these learners on the next generation BTEC First Awards (NQF).
 
Following either option will ensure your students' achievements will be recognised in your school headline measures from 2014.

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

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're 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).
 

expand What you won’t see on the list:

  • BTEC First Award in Art and Design (NQF)
  • BTEC First Award in Business (NQF)
  • BTEC First Award in Engineering (NQF)
  • BTEC First Award in Health and Social Care (NQF)
  • BTEC First Award in Sport (NQF)

We are surprised not to see these next generation BTEC First Awards 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 under the guidance laid down by the Wolf Report. 
 
They have also been enthusiastically received by the hundreds of you attending our recent launch events.
 
We believe exclusion of these qualifications from the 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.
 
Finally, if you have Year 9 learners currently registered on BTEC qualifications, please see the link to the right to find out what this latest announcement means for this group and your headline measures from 2014.

  • BTEC Level 2 Firsts in 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, such as moving across to a listed subject or considering alternatives, such as Principal Learning.

 Full list of the qualifications that we submitted that were unsuccessful at gaining approval for headline measures