Musical Theatre BTEC vs A-Levels

[als17]

My DD attended the Laines Audition Support day yesterday and loved it. Her ideal would be to go away next year after GCSE's but we are restricted by money, of course!

Our contingency plan was for her to do the 2-year BTEC Musical Theatre at her local college but I heard, yesterday, that this may not be a good option. From what I heard, the course may not stretch her enough. Laines also seem to encourage prospective auditionees at 18 to have taken A-Levels rather than BTECs.

My DD is reasonably academic so this could be an option - what are peoples' thoughts?

[riverdancefan]

Hi there!
I think my DS would feel the same as your DD - what performing young person would NOT want to go to Laines at 16 .

However he understands that no way is it an option and he will be doing A levels. I think his training outside school is excellent and he is already at 13, over the level they teach at the local college BTEC performing arts, it could do nothing but hold him back!

In this fickle industry I don't think a BTEC gets you any further forward but A levels certainly will - and what's more, they will give them other options for a future career.

It's A levels every time for me - and my DS will be doing academic subjects too - not dance or drama...but possibly music.

[2dancersmum]

Several of DDs friends have gone to Laines. Most went at 18 after A levels. As long as you can access enough dance/drama/vocal training, then I think A levels are the sensible option if unsuccessful at 16. My DD is dance rather than MT but she faced the same choice at 16 and her dance teachers were adamant that she was beyond the BTECHs on offer at the local colleges. She auditioned for vocational dance schools at 16 and her back up plan was A levels and reauditioning at 18

[Welsh Mum]

There are far more variables than many posts imply. First there is the question of standard of btec taught - this varies from outstanding to poor (same as any other educational course). Then there is the issue of each individual - what is the "right " way for one is the wrong for another. Finally what other options can each individual see them selves going for? If they see a possible career outside performing then A levels may be an option. But if they only want to do something performance related then btecmay be a good idea. I hate saying "Do this, it's the best way " as it is def not one size fits all. My DD did an MT degree after btec and found she had a head start in some respects than other students - though they did catch up. But every individual is different. A good bteccanbe amazing and really help with auditions etc, but others may be less good.

[bruno2]

Can you do a BTEC and fit an additional A level too

[riverdancefan]

The OP is asking for people's thoughts and clearly mine are just... mine.
Of course there is no right or wrong for everyone - I don't think there ever could be for any young person - however for us AND taking into account lots of advice from various professionals, DS has touched base with, some with serious regrets about their choice to turn down A levels, for us it's the considered path.

[Caroline A-C]

My ds started down the A level route and absoluted hated what he was doing. He started a Performing Arts BTec the following year gaining top marks and went straight onto a MT BA. He saw what his goal was and just went for it. Had he stayed with the A level route I think he may have lost heart. I think it is what suits each person as Welsh Mum said. When it comes to auditions for drama schools, I really don't think that whether you took A levels or a BTec come into play much. At that point it is purely on what the panel see in and from you. At the end of the day, it is personal choice.

[islandofsodor]

I do know of people who have gone to Laines after a btec but in all cases thus has been provided via a serious dance school or offering the qualification in conjunction with a local FE college or a specialist vocational establishment.

If your dd does a btec then I guarantee shell have to keep up her lessons elsewhere as we'll as it won't be enough.

[als17]

Thank you everyone. I have found out that our local colleges offer a smaller BTEC MT class, which equates to one A-Level, instead of the full-time 3 A-level equivalent, so it could be done alongside other A-Levels.

My DD would definitely carry on with her dance classes and remain a member of her Youth Theatre Group, plus her Tap dance company - none of that would change if she stays here.

[Robin64]

We have an excellent specialist art & design and performing arts college in our area. There are only 4 of these in the country and I have never heard of any of the students taking the level 3 BTEC having any problems getting into colleges for degrees. The teaching is at a high level. My eldest DD turned down A levels at her grammar school to do the art & design BTEC level 3. Some students also take an A level alongside. I agree each to his/her own depending on the student and what colleges/courses are available. My DD1 knows she wants an art career and is getting what she wants from the BTEC plus it means no foundation as some A level students will have to do. We are seriously considering the BTEC performing arts for DD2 instead of A levels but I do think she will keep up her dance at her dance school too. She is at a grammar. I think it's good to look at all your options and go with what you feel is right. My DDs would not want to study away from home at 16 but that's just them. It is important I think if ballet is your desire but not so much for other performance arts. We couldn't afford to pay for it anyway!

[paulears]

This pops up each year and is always skewed. I've finished 15 years of being involved with BTEC - as a teacher, an examiner, assessor and I wrote many of the units the kids study. I've also taught A Level and been Principal Examiner for it.

It's simply pointless attempting to compare the two systems because they are so different, but one thing is very clear, with absolute facts to back it up. Getting and A in the A Level or a Distinction profile in BTEC means one thing. Competent people - who know their stuff. Not perfect of course, because they're probably not even 18!

If somebody gets a D grade at A Level, it's the same as getting a Pass profile in BTEC. In general, it means either they were lazy, or simply lacking the the ability to meet the standards set down.

ALL the universities and specialist colleges like Laines, Arts Ed, Birds etc know what A's and Distinctions mean. The total rubbish people bang on about not 'stretching' the kids is simply a misunderstanding. Teachers who do not teach BTEC, don't understand it. Those who teach both are best suited to comment. What is absolutely critical is that people understand the differences. The performance part of A Level study in our area of interest is frankly tiny. The bulk of the marks come from the history and background. Their acting, singing, dancing are frequently very low level. Somebody could get an A grade without ever learning a full length script, and then rehearsing and performing it to a paying audience - it's simply not needed. Performance will often be to an examiner, or recorded on video. The stress and skills needed to learn dozens of pages of script are not touched. The kids who have been having 'proper' dance tuition at one of the schools where the principal is called "Miss Wendy" or similar can dance the socks off the others in the group.

People who put down BTEC really have no idea of what is in a BTEC course. Les Mis, We Will Rock You, Shop of Horrors and other big musicals are frequently on the BTEC final performance menu. It's very rare in an A Level because there's no need for it in the specification - they usually pick something less deep and much shorter. So it's excerpts and potted versions.

I've stopped my involvement with the exam boards now, because I'm too busy but I'm still doing a bit of supply teaching - and I have at the moment 6 young people between 19 and 34 working for me. The two really good ones have degrees, and one has an A Level background and the other BTEC - it really makes no difference. One went to RADA and the other Rose Bruford. Both are female, and both are very skilled at their specialism. The other 4 are great, but need supervision. Two BTEC, One A Level and the other has no qualifications whatsoever.

The current system pretends to have lots of grade levels in GCSE, GCE and BTEC. Frankly A-C in GCE/GCSE and Merit/Distinction are the only ones worth looking at. A Pass or a D really is a waste of time.

The really important thing is the teachers - not the course type. Somebody who loves am dram and dancing and singing would be best on a BTEC where they can already do many of the requirements. Somebody who loves research, writing and gaining knowledge is best at A Level. The expectation of their acting, singing and dancing in A Level is much lower, but importance could be really critical knowing about the social and historic background at the time and location of the emergence of a particular dance form. It doesn't make them a better dancer but that's not the point!

The constant question is about as useful as trying to get people to decide if Ford is better than Vauxhall. It depends on the individual.

You also need to consider that schools and colleges are competing to keep students because each one is a bag of funding. So schools will play down courses they don't run, and promote the ones they do. It's a business - do NOT accept educational advice as always unbiased. I've personally gone to schools to do the selling of my colleges courses, and if I needed 60 kids on an A Level programme to keep the teacher employed, guess which I promoted? Then we started a new BTEC, and a year later my advice was completely different.

As an employer - if somebody has a BTEC, I know what they can do - NOT - what they know about.

Find out what is on the course, quiz the teachers and then decide. See if the teachers have actually had any professional experience themselves. BTEC teachers usually have, A Level teachers not so common - because it's not needed. If it's A Level dance, ask the teacher what was their favourite production they've been in? Ask proper questions. School, college, uni, then back to school to teach is a bad route because they may well be fine for A Level, but would be very poor as a BTEC teacher, because everything is built around the real world.

[Robin64]

Thanks for posting. I enjoyed reading your comments and I agree. A BTEC can be an excellent option.

[riverdancefan]

My posts are from the premise of non-performing A level subjects
DS is favouring English, Science and Geography - or music if he can fit it in.

I have no knowledge of BTEC or A level performing arts, apart from what Paulears posts (helpful) and the standard of performance by those at DS's school who are doing the A level performing arts route - pretty dire to be frank!

Ds's Dad and I have always said he MUST keep up the academic side of his education, the non-performing subjects, and unless he gets some incredible, amazing film opportunity (haha) that's the way he will go - then at 18 , he can go for whatever he likes.

The jobs market is too fickle imo to spread himself too thinly..

[als17]

Paulears, that has been very very useful for me. My DD is adamant she wants to do the BTEC so this has really set my mind at rest.

I do agree with the academic side of things to a certain extent but I know DD will either do or teach dance (she already teaching assists at her school) so I don't think it will specifically benefit her. I was forced into doing A-levels, not knowing what I wanted to do, so I really don't want to do the same to my DD.

[Welsh Mum]

Paulears, that has been very very useful for me. My DD is adamant she wants to do the BTEC so this has really set my mind at rest.

I do agree with the academic side of things to a certain extent but I know DD will either do or teach dance (she already teaching assists at her school) so I don't think it will specifically benefit her. I was forced into doing A-levels, not knowing what I wanted to do, so I really don't want to do the same to my DD.

I often see this in my job, youngsters pushed to do subjects they don't want. Not suggesting anyone on here is doing this, but in my experience unless a young person wants to do specific A levels they won't succeed at them.

The harsh fact is that for at least the next 10 years the way our economy is then whatever qualifications you do it will be a hard slog for our DCs. I know of many with good academic degrees either having trouble getting a job at all, or forced to take a job they don't like and not trained for to survive. Our children will have to be far more adaptable and adventurous, and I think these are things that come from skills learnt/acquired rather than just certificates.

It's a hard world whatever route you take

Sorry for the gloom and doom