Sixteen year olds, across the country, face a tough choice to make, as sixth form open nights are being held all around the local area; year elevens now are considering whether to stay on at further education in their schools, or to apply for apprenticeship opportunities in a work environment.


With the new government regimes, Internships and apprenticeships are becoming fast growing and more appealing to young people. With recent acknowledgment to the strictness of the A-Level standards, next year’s year 12 sixth form will be unable to sit January modules. Plans are to make the first AS year linear- meaning all exams are to be sat in June. This was off putting to several students who prior to this change, wanted to study subjects such as Chemistry and Mathematics. They felt “having two exams at the end for each subject” was very “weighing”. Student from Buckhurst Hill said, she is finding the decision of choosing A-levels “extremely tricky” as “university courses have strict entry requirements to meet”. Another student from Woodford Green says she is considering choosing a BTEC course. These courses are mainly coursework based with little or no end examination.

 

The bringing about of BTEC courses has meant that children aspiring for university will have the opportunity to apply, with equivalent UMS scores to that of an A-level student. This is encouraging especially for students who do not do academically well in exams but prosper in coursework assessments.


BTEC is an acronym for the Business and Technology Education Council. This UK-based organisation was formed in 1984 with the amalgamation of the Business Education Council (BEC) and the Technician Education Council (TEC). BTEC confers vocational awards, below the level of university degrees, matched to the needs of business and industry.  “BTEC has been around for 25 years, their reputation is second to none and they continue to grow and develop. In 2007, more than one million students enrolled on a BTEC course” –Edexcel (examining board).


Student from Chigwell said “My school has been very helpful and supportive in helping me decide on what course to study; I have been given several assemblies, lessons as well as guidance form a careers officer about all the possible routes I could take post sixteen.” 
Many schools in the local area have encouraged students to research into their desired career and take mature decisions and full responsibility for where they want to be in the next year, whether it be in sixth form or college.  Several schools have also told pupils that in order to secure themselves a place; they must work hard to gain the grades they need.
The pressure is certainly on.