Janice Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Hi all has anybody had any experience of this? DD has decided to go to the full time course offered by her CAT scheme in September. Because it is 2 hours travel we have looked into her staying nearby, there is a family that have put up other CAT students. I have been told that she qualifys for the scheme but the snag is that our LA has to confirm that the same course is not available closer. The CAT course is a level 3 BTEC in dance which is offered at colleges closer to us, but the CAT course is only open to those already on the CAT scheme. This to me makes it unique but I will probably have a battle on my hands, so just wondered if anyone can offer advise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzpaws Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Have no advice for you, but good luck with that x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Think you will probably find that the LA will try to get out of this if the level 3 btec is available closer to you but does the cat scheme combine this with any other qualifications e.g. teaching qualifications or major dance exams as you may be able to use this to say that this combination of training is not available locally. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitschqueen_1 Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Hi, I have no personal experience of this but my dd attends a CAT scheme at NSCD that offers a full time foundation course in contemporary dance that many students audition for and attend before applying for the degree course. Is this similar to what your Dd intends to do? I have no idea if it is classed as a level 3 Btec course but it would, as you say be completely different than the generic dance courses offered in a FE college. Is your dd's course a specialist course in contemporary dance and therefore could you argue the specialist nature of it would be essential for your dd to continue her contemporary training? Is it your CAT scheme that organises the residential support scheme? I would have thought they would be best placed to be arguing with the LEA about why their course is the most suitable for your DD. Wishing you lots of luck and I hope you get the best outcome for your dd :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taximom Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 You have to evidence, as has been said, that the same course is not available nearer. When the LA don't understand the difference between Performing Arts and Dance it can be an interesting discussion. I would suggest you find your nearest educational establishment that offers exactly the same qualification and then find the USP for the course you want and compare the two. Good luck, it will be worth tryingctocro this, ask your CAT scheme to help you put your case together, I am sure they will be only too happy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I would definitely ask the CAT scheme to write a statement or letter to support your case. Lots of luck. :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janice Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 Thanks for the support. The scheme appers to be run be the goverment i have to fill in a form and hand it back to the cousre organisers who then contact local LEA. If all is well the form then gets sent of to the learner support service who arrange payment. This CAT scheme only offer a-levels alongside the BTEC. The coursework is the same that would be done at any college but the big difference would be the level of dance as the CAT course is only open to those already on the CAT scheme and also the CAT place great importance on ballet. DD will have a ballet class everyday compared to the college course we looked at which occasionally has a ballet class. Taximum- what is USP Is this the course code? on the paperwork we have it says about checking course codes with a website that I can't access. I am waiting for a call from the LEA, I hope by talking to the person responsible that I may be able to point out the differences before they get the paperwork. Have also made anouther appointment with local mp who happens to be David Laws he is the person who first told us about the scheme when we were looking into anouther school for DD, he did seem like he genuinely wanted to help. Fingers crossed.x 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actsingdance Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 USP is Unique Selling Point 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janice Posted July 31, 2013 Author Share Posted July 31, 2013 Hi all just a quick update as i thought this scheme my be usful to others in similar situations to us.DDs application has been passed by the Education authority, I sent information on the CAT scheme and the course she is applying for and it was approved very quickly. Now the application will be sent of to the learner support service to approve, the problem with this part is that normally you have to send a tenancy agreement with the application. This I have not done as without the support of the scheme we would not be able to afford the cost of the accomadation bit of a catch 22 there , but I am not about to give up yet. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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