Dilema Re Offers, Any Advice?

[bluebelle]

Hi Everyone

I am a new member although I have read through the forum many times and think this is the perfect place to ask for advice! Our dilema is that dd has had two offers and we are torn between them.

The first offer is from a local performing arts school on a BTEC level 3 extended course in Musical Theatre, which is funded and we are told equivalent to 3 A'Levels. The school seems amazing and has a lovely atmosphere.

The second offer is from Tring Park 6th form on the Commercial Music Course ( dd had put the MT course as first choice). At Tring dd would be able to take her A' Levels alongside the course (a level one BTEC in performing arts is available) and the fees are expensive.

Dd had hoped to be in a position to keep her options open as regards uni in the future so;

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience about BTECs?
Opinions on which you think would be the best option?

Any input would be appreciated

Thanks for reading!

[moleseymum]

My son is on a BTEC at a performing arts school and loves it, he gets almost double the hours he would have had if he had taken the same course at a normal college. He did the first year of his A levels and didn't do well, moving to a vocational course was definitely right for him and he is on track for a triple distinction. Feel free to PM if you want any specific information

[carriecrafts]

I don't know much about Tring 6th Form but a level one performing arts diploma doesn't sound very challenging, more like enrichment alongside A Levels.

My dd did level 3 BTEC at a performing arts academy, achieved triple Distinction* (420 UCAS points, the same as getting 3 A Levels at A*) followed by multiple offers for vocational training (degrees and diplomas) so my personal experience of the BTEC is positive! The hours were heavy (8.30 - 5pm 4 days per week, more during rehearsal times), much heavier than my other dd who did A Levels and is now at Oxford. Most of dd's current classmates also took the BTEC route but some did A Levels plus dance school classes, so either is possible.

Is your dd wanting to keep options open for uni in a subject other than performing arts? If she is committed to doing performing arts then personally I think a good BTEC is ideal. If she has another subject in mind then the A Levels may be a better route, depending on the subject.
x

[Katymac]

On p54 of the Tring Park it suggests that the Btec is a level 3 course so equivilent to 1 A level - is that what you are referring to?

[2dancersmum]

It perhaps depends what her ultimate goal is. If she is aiming at musical theatre then the local college may be the better option since the offer for Tring is for a different course and not her first choice. It makes it a very expensive way to get her A levels. If she is going to audition for level 6 diploma courses at 18 or a degree for musical theatre at 18 you will still have a lot of expenses for her at that point and doing the btec will help strengthen her skills for the auditions.

[paulears]

Don't forget BTECs have both level and depth - so Level 3 can be equivalent to 1-3 A Levels, depending on the hours spent doing it.

Tring keeps coming up recently - no idea why?

With all things BTEC, the key feature is not the course, but the staff, so direct questions there - if the staff have industry experience, they can pass it on, if they went school, college, uni, back to teaching then their experience is likely amateur at best.

Personally, I don't think A Levels are the best thing for practical, artistic people. If you want to be a lawyer, then yes - A Levels are the way, but performing arts is way too wide and weird to boil it down into an A Level.

[oscar]

My ds just did standard a levels and did lots of shows etc outside of this. You will definitely need your funds for drama / dance school at 18 if that is what she is hoping.

[nextinline]

This is such a difficult one to answer bluebelle as each person is different. My ds chose to do A levels and has coped well with them and is now coming to the end of his courses and has no regrets. He took Performing Arts as one of his courses and continued to dance and do theatre and music outside of college. He is currently doing the audition rounds this year and is debating which offer to take.

It also depends what type of course your dd wants to do long term. My eldest ds, who isn't a performer, changed his mind about careers three times whilst doing the International Bacc. He is now very happily graduating from Uni next year and is going on to Masters and Phd.

My dd wants to do the International Bacc. but like my middle ds she also performs a lot. She wants to qualify as a ballroom and latin dance teacher eventually alongside her other studies.

In the end you just have to go for what feels right for you and your dd. If the worst comes to the worst you can always change track.

Also training in this area is expensive and so if you can get some training for free it might be worth doing that at this stage. In this day and age our kids are likely to have to do several different types of job whatever they go for so anything with transferable skills is great. Good luck, hope she finds the decision soon and all the best for the future

[paulears]

What is in no doubt is that proper training outside 6th form/college at a local 'traditional' dance school or drama group is extremely useful - especially if you do A Levels. Outsiders would be amazed at just how little progress is made in a mixed ability class in school or college. Half the time is spent recapping, because of the time delay between short sessions, plus the actual workload is quite low. Script work is very weak, very short excerpts to learn but no need to remember an entire script - which is no help when they get to uni or HE specialist study centre.

[missmoneypenny]

Hi Bluebelle, my dd has a very similar dilemma! Do you mind if I message you on here?

[Caroline A-C]

Hi Bluebelle, my ds started out on the International Bac. route (similar to A levels) and hated it. He moved to the Performing Arts BTec level 3 at the local 6th form college and really thrived. When it came to getting into drama college, it was quite irrelevant whether he had A levels or BTec. I think that is fine if you are absolutely 120% sure you want to go down the Performing Arts route. If you are not quite sure then perhaps A levels would be a better option. I have a dd at Tring who is just starting her GCSE's. She has decided she definitely wants to stay on for 6th form and go down the A level route as it "keeps her options and gives her a fall back". Even though they do A levels, they still have a full curriculum in their chosen speciality. Good luck with your decision making.

[2dancersmum]

Personally I think that A levels or the btec in performing arts are both perfectly valid routes , providing you still get practical experience - whether in the course in local theatres, music groups etc. I think the situation here is not a straightforward choice between btec and A levels however. The Tring offer is for Commercial Music (not MT) with 3 or 4 A levels along side , one of which can be a btec. 6th form courses usually offer the 3 or 4 A levels alongside but the commercial music is new. MT and dance are both level 6 diploma and students are eligible for DADAs (or MDS). I don't know the level of the commercial music or if any funding is available. If no funding is available then to me it seems like the choice is more between private education for level 3 qualifications (A levels and equivalent) at Tring (£10k a term?) or a free place for the btec before going onto a level 6 diploma or degree. I think in this instance you need to look at what the money is being spent on? Is the commercial music course what your DD wants and worth the expense because A levels can be done at many good schools free of charge. Performing arts diplomas and degrees at 18+ are expensive and I would advise a careful look at family finances longer term before making any decisions. Good luck

[riverdancefan]

It is a dilemma and there are really valid points all round both on this thread and numerous others. It's a discussion we have had and will continue to have in our household.

Ideally for DS, Tring or Arts Ed London would be fabulous, he is fairly academic as well as being a pretty good all round performer, so to spend time performing AND getting the opportunity to do A levels, that would be his absolute ideal. If money were no object, he would be there already.

However, it's out of our reach financially, he might go for a scholarship but the competition is so immense it's unlikely. We would have to support him living away, at 16 I don't particularly want that and I think the added pressure of that would be considerable for him, although anyone who knows him knows how fiercely independent he is!

So we seem to be going with A levels at his current school ( he is currently doing the Baccalaureate ) , A levels in Geography, politics and performing arts. The performing arts dept isn't that dynamic tbh, the music is strong, the dance and drama not so much..but he does so much out of school, and we fight to get him every opportunity, every workshop etc we think and he thinks would help. I think the performing arts A level would be a compromise as he would still be doing something practical. He is a scholarship student at IC associates, Tunbridge Wells, a very very good associate school with exceptional teachers.

He LOVES performing, but he enjoys many of his school subjects too, so he is torn sometimes. Practical issues too, he is TALL, this will limit him somewhat especially in dance and MT, he has to look at options, choreography is something he is really interested in and finds inspiration doing.

The BETC is not an option for him, the two local colleges are very weak, I have been to see productions in both of them , DS is way above the level they are teaching, the contact hours are minimum, a lot of the kids appear to be cannon fodder, just there to make up numbers. I guess if he travelled, there are lots of good ones but for us here it's a no-no.

Foundation courses are something we wouldn't do either, as much as he would absolutely love them, we cannot afford them , and any money spent on those would come out of his degree support "pot".

Is he missing out? - I honestly don't know if he will be disadvantaged by not doing foundations, BTEC etc, time will tell I suppose.

Your gut feelings are normally right, it's such a tough decision, There are no guarantees for our kids, but then as was pointed out , it's just as tough getting into Uni for other courses, it's tough all round!

DS is year 10 currently, the decision is looming ......

[Littlemum]

Hello NAPMs
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your advice and opinions on this, my DS is also looking at options (currently year 10) who is also torn between MT and Acting BTecs as his main love is acting, but he also loves his music and dance (which he could keep up outside). What is clear is that these are committed young people with very supportive families! I think on balance we're going to look at the triple award Btecs and keep our fingers crossed that this doesn't limit his skills too much for the future world!
We're in south Manchester by the way, so I think Pendleton is the most highly regarded centre round here - anyone have any other ideas?
Thanks and good luck to all making their decisions.

[lotsolaffs]

Riverdancefan
I have heard that the performing arts dept at Sussex downs College ,Lewes campus is supposed to be brilliant.
I know 2 students that have been there with great results another great place is Bexhill College.

It's just that you mentioned Tunbridge Wells,I know not near but might be of interest?
Lewes is half an hour away from me however it would take my daughter 1 1/2 hours to get there by public transport!
We will be going to the next open day.
We are thinking about IC,maybe the performing arts course on Saturday's.