What to do at 16?
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Re: What to do at 16?
Thank you! Jennifer1972
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2dancersmum
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Re: What to do at 16?
Well done to your DD - another step on the way to following her dreams!
Re: What to do at 16?
Fantastic news lynne 
Congratulations to your DD and good luck for the adventure ahead !
Congratulations to your DD and good luck for the adventure ahead !
Re: What to do at 16?
Thanks everyone! Love this site everyone is so helpful and encouraging. 
Re: What to do at 16?
My dd has done some auditions for Level 6 Diploma courses just to dip her toe in the water. She didn't get offered anything, not even a Foundation course, which was a little disappointing. However this wouldn't have been so bad but unfortunately none of the sixth forms offering good quality performing arts BTECs have offered her a place in no small part due to the fact the school messed up her predicted grades. We are waiting on one last place which sends out their offers on 1st April. If she doesn't get that she has decided to take A Levels probably because she has a place at a sixth form where lots of her friends are going. I am worried this will put her at a disadvantage at 18 when she decides to audition again! Has anyone been in a similar position? I am beginning to think she will give up on performing arts altogether, but hope she doesn't as she loves it so much. This year has just been such a downer and there are still GCSEs to take 
I have told her that when everyone gets their results in August we can ring around the places she didn't get into and see if they have spaces. By then the predicted grades will be meaningless as she will have her actual grades.
I have told her that when everyone gets their results in August we can ring around the places she didn't get into and see if they have spaces. By then the predicted grades will be meaningless as she will have her actual grades.Re: What to do at 16?
Very strange she didn't get offered a place at the BTEC establishments, being honest, many are struggling as the funding gets cut, so tend to over subscribe their courses knowing a few people always leave. Have they given any reasons for the rejection? GCSE predicted grades are always guesswork, and the colleges might possibly have had their applications filtered by an idiot? If they get too many applications it's not uncommon for some office weeny to be given the task of selecting the Level 3 people. In a way, this a flaw with 6th form colleges, who don't offer a Level 2 programme for the sub-C grade people.
Is the problem that the school have not predicted the C grades? Is this accurate? Being honest, if they are predicting no C's or above then either they got it totally wrong, or the grades are quite possibly likely? Only you know this, but my experience of BTEC (and A Levels to be honest) is that this C grade to get through the door for a Level 3 qualification is a sensible rule. Every time I have personally relaxed it, it really didn't work that well. With BTEC, to get the Distinction grades everyone wants needs those tiny things that the D and below kids really struggle to achieve. Excellent practical actors, singers and dancers, but unequipped to do the tasks the Distinction grade criteria demand.
First thing, I suppose is to find out of those predicted grades are accurate. If you are unsure - why not give her a test of your own. Download the spec for the BTEC, and pick a unit - one of the generic ones, not specialist, and get her to do some of the written work required, then use the criteria to assess it yourself. The wording makes this quite easy. See if she can get into that box with her word skills and research skills. If she just can't do it, and many school kids just don't have the English skills to do proper descriptive writing - her BTEC grades would be poor. If you want an unbiased opinion - and have some of her work, I'd be happy to have a look at it and see if it matches the BTEC expectation? With a bit of experimentation you could do it yourself, once you know what to look for.
Paul
Is the problem that the school have not predicted the C grades? Is this accurate? Being honest, if they are predicting no C's or above then either they got it totally wrong, or the grades are quite possibly likely? Only you know this, but my experience of BTEC (and A Levels to be honest) is that this C grade to get through the door for a Level 3 qualification is a sensible rule. Every time I have personally relaxed it, it really didn't work that well. With BTEC, to get the Distinction grades everyone wants needs those tiny things that the D and below kids really struggle to achieve. Excellent practical actors, singers and dancers, but unequipped to do the tasks the Distinction grade criteria demand.
First thing, I suppose is to find out of those predicted grades are accurate. If you are unsure - why not give her a test of your own. Download the spec for the BTEC, and pick a unit - one of the generic ones, not specialist, and get her to do some of the written work required, then use the criteria to assess it yourself. The wording makes this quite easy. See if she can get into that box with her word skills and research skills. If she just can't do it, and many school kids just don't have the English skills to do proper descriptive writing - her BTEC grades would be poor. If you want an unbiased opinion - and have some of her work, I'd be happy to have a look at it and see if it matches the BTEC expectation? With a bit of experimentation you could do it yourself, once you know what to look for.
Paul
Re: What to do at 16?
Sadly her school made a mistake which they admitted to, giving her maths grade as an E rather than a C. And despite them being aware of it they have continued to send out the incorrect version to every sixth form that requested them even though I have the correct grades. She already has 2 GCSEs and is actually predicted to get 6 more including maths and English language. On paperwork sent out she wasn't predicted to achieve their minimum entry requirements so I believe was out of the running before she walked through the door. She may get a place later on especially if we ring on results day with a good set of results but it has been an incredibly soul destroying experience. I think taking the sixth form place to do A levels may just be a comfortable option that she can think about for now.
Re: What to do at 16?
Minimum entry requirements were 6 GCSEs including maths and English.
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dancingmoll
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Re: What to do at 16?
Hi Dixie37, I wouldn't be disheartened by the prospect of your dd having to do a levels. My dd did A-levels in History and Psychology , alongside a level 2 BTEC in performing arts gaining a B and an A grade. She went on to audition and although she couldn't accept her diploma place due to lack of funding she has re auditioned successfully this year! I think that having those grades will be really useful in the future should anything prevent her from going into a career in the arts, and they also helped her to secure a degree place this year! So I really don't think that doing a levels over a full time BTEC should be anything to worry about, if your dd loves performing I'm sure she will continue to do so during 6th form no matter what subjects she studies! Does she have opportunities to perform and train outside of school? Has she considered doing dance and drama for a level perhaps, this could be a reasonable and useful alternative?
That's very odd though regarding the incorrect predicted grades, how frustrating! I think that phoning colleges once she has her actual grades or even before does sound like a sensible idea! Good luck with whatever she decides to do
That's very odd though regarding the incorrect predicted grades, how frustrating! I think that phoning colleges once she has her actual grades or even before does sound like a sensible idea! Good luck with whatever she decides to do
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lotsolaffs
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Re: What to do at 16?
Idiots...how come they always seem to get a job?
I would be livid and asking the school to call the 6th forms to explain their mistake.
Have you tried a local college, I have found them more than helpful with my DS ,no interest in performing arts whatsoever, but is a predicted E in maths ,sadly not a mistake. He has been accepted for a level 3 BTEC ,if he doesn't get a C he will have to do level 2 and retake,which he doesn't mind.It is looking likely.
The same college offers level 3 BTEC in musical theatre,we are thinking about it for my daughter,a few years to go but we are going to see 2 shows soon (Cats and Chicago ) to see the standard and what is produced.Her 6th form offer BTEC in performing arts but she can't do any other arts subject.
I hope you get it sorted,a stressful time anyway let alone having this to worry about.
I would be livid and asking the school to call the 6th forms to explain their mistake.
Have you tried a local college, I have found them more than helpful with my DS ,no interest in performing arts whatsoever, but is a predicted E in maths ,sadly not a mistake. He has been accepted for a level 3 BTEC ,if he doesn't get a C he will have to do level 2 and retake,which he doesn't mind.It is looking likely.
The same college offers level 3 BTEC in musical theatre,we are thinking about it for my daughter,a few years to go but we are going to see 2 shows soon (Cats and Chicago ) to see the standard and what is produced.Her 6th form offer BTEC in performing arts but she can't do any other arts subject.
I hope you get it sorted,a stressful time anyway let alone having this to worry about.
Re: What to do at 16?
The school have followed it up but the offers have already been made. She may get a place on results day if we ring round but that feels a long way off. It's hard to see other less able students getting offers because their predicted grades were sent out correctly. The whole thing has had a massive impact on her confidence. The school have apologised but it's all too late!
If she takes the A level route she will carry on at her dance school and we will supplement that with individual singing and drama lessons to work on monologues. The more I think about it the more I think it might be for the best. She may discover she wants to go in a different direction, or she will become more determined to perform!! It's nice to hear other people's experiences do thanks for all the replies and advise
If she takes the A level route she will carry on at her dance school and we will supplement that with individual singing and drama lessons to work on monologues. The more I think about it the more I think it might be for the best. She may discover she wants to go in a different direction, or she will become more determined to perform!! It's nice to hear other people's experiences do thanks for all the replies and advise
Re: What to do at 16?
what part of the country are you from Dixie? there is a wonderful place called EDA in Hitchin Herts that offers diplomas in MT for 16+ . A lot of their students have been offered Arts Ed, Urdang, Laines, Birds, Mountiview, Bodyworks...
Worth a look if you are local.
Good luck with whatever you decide x
Worth a look if you are local.
Good luck with whatever you decide x
I believe that children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.......
Re: What to do at 16?
We are Midlands based. Will have a look though as family in the south!
Re: What to do at 16?
Places like Stageworks & Evolution seem excellent for this level?
Re: What to do at 16?
Don't forget that the 16+ intake is just like the university 18+ with people who were dead certs not taking up their places, others getting poorer grades and others getting better ones, and the colleges are really cash strapped at the moment. I'm really sure that when she gets her grades, they'll take her.
I've been talking to some of my 'old girls' recently. My first BTEC students are 37 this year. There's no doubt that for their careers up to mid 30 or so, the BTEC was the best choice for them. A few have done really well, had wonderful careers, seen great places, and I'm proud of them. BUT, apart from the ones who trained as teachers, and that's quite a few, their BTEC isn't doing them many favours now. They're starting to need to stop dancing, as they're now no longer getting jobs via the usual auditions, and although a few are moving into management, they lack what the paperwork people want on application forms. A few did A Levels alongside the BTEC - for the first two years we offered the BTEC, plus an A Level, and for a few, even 2 A Levels. So 20 years on, A Levels still (despite being easier now) have an element of 'superiority', certainly in the minds of the human resources departments. I've argued this for years, but perhaps, in the end, the naysayers were right. BTEC is absolutely the best when set against A Levels for performers, but it holds no sway when the performers want to stop performing. I have to admit that perhaps A Levels are still worth considering. Obviously, for those who get a degree, that tends to be the important feature - but lots of my old ones did well at BTEC, and then got jobs and didn't do their HE study.
I've noticed that many performers don't continue their education, despite having plenty of 'resting time' between contracts - Thing like OU degrees - Masters, in particular, could easily be done while on cruise ships - they're always saying how boring it can be. When they're working in these 6 day a week jobs, with cabin time, studying for a qualification wouldn't be hard work.
Depending on how much you like the school, if they are sending out wrong information, then they are harming people's career prospects - this is serious stuff, and if they made the mistake - THEY need to sort it out, and contact the places where there have been negative reactions.
I've been doing GCSE drama cover for a month or two now, and am convinced it is the worst preparation for a career in the arts, and the same with GCSE Music. The Government have downgraded the status of these subjects, and now I've been involved, I think it's deserved. One day I did Drama, Music and Science - all GCSE, all the same year group. Science is still pretty tough (as is maths) but Drama is, being very honest, totally and utterly pointless. They are supposed to be exactly the same standard, in depth, breadth and difficulty, but they are not. The expectations are pain fully low, with the 'best' students pretty poor in many cases. In some schools, with good kids and good facilities, so many will get excellent grades because the mark schemes seem to expect rubbish, and reward it.
That turned into a bit of a rant - but I'm asking the agency I do work for to stop giving me music and drama because it's so bad
I've been talking to some of my 'old girls' recently. My first BTEC students are 37 this year. There's no doubt that for their careers up to mid 30 or so, the BTEC was the best choice for them. A few have done really well, had wonderful careers, seen great places, and I'm proud of them. BUT, apart from the ones who trained as teachers, and that's quite a few, their BTEC isn't doing them many favours now. They're starting to need to stop dancing, as they're now no longer getting jobs via the usual auditions, and although a few are moving into management, they lack what the paperwork people want on application forms. A few did A Levels alongside the BTEC - for the first two years we offered the BTEC, plus an A Level, and for a few, even 2 A Levels. So 20 years on, A Levels still (despite being easier now) have an element of 'superiority', certainly in the minds of the human resources departments. I've argued this for years, but perhaps, in the end, the naysayers were right. BTEC is absolutely the best when set against A Levels for performers, but it holds no sway when the performers want to stop performing. I have to admit that perhaps A Levels are still worth considering. Obviously, for those who get a degree, that tends to be the important feature - but lots of my old ones did well at BTEC, and then got jobs and didn't do their HE study.
I've noticed that many performers don't continue their education, despite having plenty of 'resting time' between contracts - Thing like OU degrees - Masters, in particular, could easily be done while on cruise ships - they're always saying how boring it can be. When they're working in these 6 day a week jobs, with cabin time, studying for a qualification wouldn't be hard work.
Depending on how much you like the school, if they are sending out wrong information, then they are harming people's career prospects - this is serious stuff, and if they made the mistake - THEY need to sort it out, and contact the places where there have been negative reactions.
I've been doing GCSE drama cover for a month or two now, and am convinced it is the worst preparation for a career in the arts, and the same with GCSE Music. The Government have downgraded the status of these subjects, and now I've been involved, I think it's deserved. One day I did Drama, Music and Science - all GCSE, all the same year group. Science is still pretty tough (as is maths) but Drama is, being very honest, totally and utterly pointless. They are supposed to be exactly the same standard, in depth, breadth and difficulty, but they are not. The expectations are pain fully low, with the 'best' students pretty poor in many cases. In some schools, with good kids and good facilities, so many will get excellent grades because the mark schemes seem to expect rubbish, and reward it.
That turned into a bit of a rant - but I'm asking the agency I do work for to stop giving me music and drama because it's so bad