rowan Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 That is very useful, 2dancersmum! It can be confusing when we talk about the BTEC because of the different levels of BTEC. Because so many children won't do the desired five GCSEs, many of these children take level one or level two BTECs instead of GCSEs. In fact, in some schools, all children have to take one BTEC in addition to their GCSEs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 For the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas [Equivalent to 3 A Levels] you have to have a minimum 4 GCSE`s at Grade C or above to get on the course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 We ask for 5 TheQuays, to go onto the extended diploma 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huddsballetmum Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I work in an FE college and we ask for 5 A*-C for extended diplomas too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Sometimes I just think the whole system is designed to confuse! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingtoDance Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) Schools don't just offer 'A' levels in the sixth form. Unless they are academically selective they have to cater for a wide range of abilities and they offer vocational qualifications in subjects such as travel and tourism. I'm not sure if it is from this year, but soon all children will be required to stay in education until they are 18, either at school or at a sixth form or at a college of further education. I think that the UK must be one of the few countries in the developed world to allow their children (until recently) to leave school at 16. You can still leave school by the end of the school year if you are 16 by the end of the summer holidays, you don't have to stay in school until 18, you just have to stay in education until 18. Education may include: -staying at school or a college -part-time education or training while doing 20 or more hours of work or volunteer work -apprenticeship or traineeship https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school Edited March 27, 2016 by DancingtoDance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowblythe Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Also to add to the confusion, GCSE's are changing from A*-G (I think!) to grades 9-1 (9 is the best). Can I add Pre-U as an equivalent to A levels - my daughter is likely to take one Pre-U and a mix of linear and modular A levels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Also to add to the confusion, GCSE's are changing from A*-G (I think!) to grades 9-1 (9 is the best). Can I add Pre-U as an equivalent to A levels - my daughter is likely to take one Pre-U and a mix of linear and modular A levels! How long will it be, I wonder, before they go all the way up to 11? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I work in an FE college and we ask for 5 A*-C for extended diplomas too! Oh maybe it is 5 at my son`s as well then. I thought it was 4 min. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Also to add to the confusion, GCSE's are changing from A*-G (I think!) to grades 9-1 (9 is the best). Why? I cannot think of a single reason why it should be changed from letters to numbers. Unless it is supposed to reflect percentages i.e. if you get a grade 8 you got 80 something % in your exam? In which case, why not just give the exact number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 (edited) Education policy is mostly about fiefdoms political biases and a nice leavening of work for friendly consultants. It doesn't have to make sense. Edited March 28, 2016 by Colman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legseleven Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 I couldn't agree more, Fonty. The A* classification was a relatively recent introduction and I don't really see the point. If it is necessary to distinguish between the top candidates who may all have a string of top grades, why not just publish the percentage mark obtained? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveclassics Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I was amused, reading this thread. I always find the American school descriptions very complicated, and am never quite sure what age the pupils are supposed to be. I think it must be as a result of watching all those films about American High School students, who all appear to be about 35! That's so true. In Grease for example, I think the leads really were in their 30s. Incidentally, I remember (and took) the 11-plus and by no means am I 'an old-timer' thank you very much Rowan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melody Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Why? I cannot think of a single reason why it should be changed from letters to numbers. Unless it is supposed to reflect percentages i.e. if you get a grade 8 you got 80 something % in your exam? In which case, why not just give the exact number. It's probably some bureaucrat or politician wanting to leave his mark on the educational system in much the same way that dogs can't help themselves from leaving their marks on trees and fire hydrants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingtoDance Posted May 20, 2021 Share Posted May 20, 2021 On 27/05/2014 at 17:58, Anna C said: Anjuli, if it helps, here's a simplified version of state (Government Funded) schooling in my area (South East England): Kindergarten - UK: Pre-School/Nursery School (usually from ages 3 to 5 or almost 5) Elementary grades: 1 through 6 - UK: Primary School. Reception (age 4 or 5) then Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Approx age 4-11. Middle School (used to be called "Jr. High School") - grades 7 through 9. In some districts it varies with 9 being high school and/or 7 being elementary school.. - UK: some areas do have Middle Schools which are Years 5 to 8. Secondary/Senior Schools are more common, starting at Year 7 (1st year) aged 11. In Year 11 (aged 15-16) pupils take General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. After Year 11 the options are: Year 12 and 13 at Secondary School (also known as 6th form) to take Advanced Levels ("A'Levels), usually with the aim of leaving at 18 and going to University Or 6th Form College to study A'Levels Or Local College to study Vocational subjects (Vocational in this context does not mean Ballet, but more Social Care, Childcare, Hair and Beauty, Mechanics, Performing Arts, Plumbing etc) at VQ (Vocational Qualification) level. These levels vary from Level 3 (equivalent to GCSEs) up to Foundation Degrees or Degrees. Or straight into the workplace as an Apprentice/Junior Or (hopefully) to Ballet School for 2 or 3 years from age 16-18 or 16-19 😉 If you take A'Levels and get your required Grades then either a three or four year course at University depending on your chosen subject. Then post graduate studies or a job. ......................................................................................... What do you mean when you use the word "form"? - Class. For schools with multi-form entry this would mean several "forms" (classes) made up of 20-30 pupils, all in the same Year (Grade). What do you mean when you use the word "level"? - determines the level of exam syllabus being studied (e.g. Level 3/GCSE at 16) So when we talk about going to Dance School at Upper School/6th Form we mean the equivalent of Year 12 at 16/17, having left Secondary school at the end of Year 11 after completing GCSEs. Does that help at all or have I complicated things even more for you? 🙂 The age where one is legally allowed to leave school (barring circumstances such as illness that makes one unable to attend school in which case age may not apply) in the USA depends on the state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowlight Posted May 27, 2021 Share Posted May 27, 2021 (edited) Wow - the resurrection of this old thread has made me realise...I miss @Anjuli_Bai Edited May 27, 2021 by glowlight 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 On 27/05/2021 at 20:02, glowlight said: Wow - the resurrection of this old thread has made me realise...I miss @Anjuli_Bai So do I. 😢 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bex does ballet Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 (edited) I was just reading this thread from way back at the beginning thinking the whole time how much I miss @Anjuli_Bai! then got to the last couple of comments and was happy to see that I’m not alone. I do really hope that @Anjuli_Baiis keeping well and just enjoying new interests but I do miss their wit, humour and wisdom Edited August 1, 2021 by Bex does ballet 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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