Post 16 Qualifications
Monday 9 December 2024
Update: Thursday 12th December 2024
The outcome of the “short-review” of Level 3 qualifications announced by Bridget Phillipson last summer has concluded with the announcement that over 70% of courses which were selected for defunding under the Conservative Government will continue to receive funding to 2027.
This includes many popular applied general qualifications (AGQs) including 44 BTECs. This is good news for students with SEND as AGQs offer a more flexible qualification pathway and methods of assessment than A levels and T levels.
Following the outcome from the Curriculum and Assessment Review of Post 16 education expected in the Spring 2025, we hope that students will continue to benefit from BTEC and AGQs beyond 2027.
Good to see that SEND charities including ourselves have been listened to about the importance of retaining BTEC qualifications alongside A levels and T levels. Offering choice for more young people in post 16 education.
In the UK, it is compulsory for young people to be in education or training until they are 18 years old. Some will proceed to A Levels in their existing school or sixth-form college, but others may consider a technical course or an apprenticeship.
Important changes have been taking place to post16 qualifications which may impact the choices available for those looking to commence a course of study in September 2025.
What's happening?
In 2016 the Department for Education (DfE) outlined their intention to reform post 16 qualifications in England. These reforms have already seen the removal of 16-19 funding from over 5,000 qualifications which had low levels of take-up and had proposed the removal of funding in August 2024 from 134 popular BTEC and other technical qualifications whose content overlaps with a new T Level. These reforms would make A Levels and T Levels the main further education qualifications at age 16 in England, with the removal of 16-19 funding from the remaining Level 3 qualifications which overlap with T Levels planned by August 2025.
However, following the General Election, Bridget Phillipson, the new education secretary, has announced a pause to the reforms for post16 qualifications at Level 3 and below, halting the proposed removal of funding of some BTECs and other alternatives to T Levels in August 2024. The review is expected to conclude by the end of this year, and it is hoped that the review will extend the range of technical courses to offer an alternative technical qualification for those who do not wish to study a T Level course.
Post 16 qualifications explained
A Levels,
A Levels are an academic route intended to lead onto further study. Most A Levels are examined via final exams at the end of the two years.
T Levels
T Levels were first introduced in September 2020 and are the new technical equivalent to A-levels. T Levels are 2-year courses which are broadly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels.
Other Level 3 Technical Qualifications
Often referred to collectively as “BTECs” - Level 3 technical qualifications have been offered by several different examining boards. Under the reforms most Level 3 technicals would be replaced by T Levels if there was an overlap in course content with a T Level. Level 3 technical qualifications such as BTECs are a popular alternative to A Levels and the new T Levels for many dyslexic students because they are largely assessed by coursework
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine real work with training and study for a specific role. An apprenticeship is typically 80% on-the-job and 20% in the classroom. Apprenticeships are available from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) up to degree level.
But it is important to look at the study element of the apprenticeship and how this will be delivered as this can vary. Study may be at college, online, self-study or working with a workplace mentor. Some apprenticeships may have formal exams that need to be passed, while others may offer continual assessment.
It is important to understand which of these the specific apprenticeship is offering and discuss any study, learning support needs or exam access arrangements before starting the course to make sure that the appropriate support is available through the training provider.
Access to Work can be applied to support the workplace element of an apprenticeship for those who meet the eligibility criteria
What else do you need to know about post 16 qualifications?
Requirement for Maths and English GCSE.
All students moving onto post 16 education must retake GCSE maths and English alongside their other courses if they are under 18 and have not achieved at least a Grade 4 in each of these subjects.
Apprentices who do not already have maths or English GCSE, will need to take functional skills qualifications in these subjects as part of the apprenticeship.
Learning Support and Exam Access Arrangements
Colleges are expected to provide appropriate SEN support in the same ways as schools. For those changing schools or moving onto a sixth form or FE college, it is important to talk to the school or college to ensure that learning support and exam access arrangements meet individual needs.
Exam access arrangements received for GCSE exams can normally continue for A Levels and other post-16 qualifications and SENCos from Secondary schools are required to provide the new setting with a copy of the evidence/form 8 used for Access Arrangements at GCSE. It can be useful to speak to an existing SENCo before leaving school to ask for a copy of this.
Students with Education, Health and Care Plan funding
Students in receipt of EHCP funding can continue to receive this funding if they remain in education and take A Levels, T Levels or other qualifications at Level 3 and below