Btec or gcse

glowgirl_2

My daughter is in Year 9 at secondary school and was told in her IT class that she could take a Btec next year in this subject, trouble is we are unsure of the difference in Btec and GCSE, which would be more beneficial? although she is very good at IT she asked to be moved down a class as she didnt get on with or learn anything from the top set teacher whereas in the lower set she is gaining top marks ahead of the top set, mainly due to the teachers teaching method and her rapport with my daughter, if it helps at all she is currently working at level 6 with a predicted level 7 next year, hope this is clear, any advice would be most welcome.

[Deleted User]

Depends on her aspirations... what is her maths like? Do you think she might be heading towards university?

glowgirl_2

Hi, thanks for the reply, her maths is just above average and probably not her best subject, she is looking to go to uni and at the moment is interested in psychology both in animals and humans

Voyager2002

Make an appointment with the school and ask their advice. Also find your local Connexions and see what they have to say.

Oldernotwiser

glowgirl wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the reply, her maths is just above average and probably not her best subject, she is looking to go to uni and at the moment is interested in psychology both in animals and humans

I'm not sure what you mean by "just above average" but she needs to realise that Maths is very important for studying Psychology at a higher level. If she's academic and likely to be looking to go to university then GCSE is probably be better than BTEC if she wants to take IT further. If she's going to drop this after GCSEs it doesn't make much difference either way.

I'd second the suggestion of seeing a Careers Adviser at Connexions for a general discussion.

glowgirl_2

Thank you for your replys, I had intended to make an appointment at the school at a later dated but wanted to get some opinions and info first.

Paparika

My DS is in year nine too, and started his GCSE in IT this term, I've been told Btec is better than GCSE, they have their options in January don't they so that would be a good time perhaps to discuss it

Oldernotwiser

glowgirl wrote: »

Thank you for your replys, I had intended to make an appointment at the school at a later dated but wanted to get some opinions and info first.

You're better getting objective advice from someone outside the school situation as the school will have its own agenda. Because of issues such as class numbers and league tables, they won't necessarily put your daughter's interests first. A BTEC counts as 4 GCSEs (A-C) and they might encourage her to do this so that she'll count in the 5 GCSE category. Many schools do this to boost their place in league tables.

girleight@

There are different levels of BTECs which are worth different amounts of GCSEs. A BTEC introductory is D-G grades at GCSE but a BTEC 1st will be worth 2-4 GCSEs at A* to C.

Therefore you need to find out which it is to see if it is easier than a GCSE or harder. BTECs are more practical than GCSEs but what she chooses at this level shouldn't affect her chances of getting into university.

glowgirl_2

Thank you all for the very informative replys - I feel more confident to discuss this at school now with extra knowledge:T

Conor_3

I did BTEC Electronics Engineering. The BTEC ONC counted as two A levels and counted as an entry qualification for university.
The first year of the electronics degree is the BTEC ONC.

Also a point to consider is that should she decide not to go to university, BTECs will be worth a lot more than GCSEs due to them being very specific.

But, as Oldernotwiser said, if she's going to drop it and not continue with IT as a career, it makes no difference.