BTEC Guidelines
Information you must know about your Sixth Form child’s BTEC course
BTEC courses are terrific and our students do superbly at them but BTEC assessment requirements can trip students up. There are some risks attached to BTECs which aren't quite the same as the ones attached to A-levels. These risks are detailed below.
Almost every BTEC subject now has at least one formal exam every year. Few retake opportunities are available for each exam and for some unit a retake is not possible. For Year 13 students, the retake opportunity may well be in the summer the year after they have left Tallis, preventing them from going on to university for a year. If a student fails the exam component they will usually fail the whole BTEC qualification, regardless of how well they have done in the other coursework components. As far as passing grades go, students can obtain a Pass (P), Merit (M) or Distinction (D) in the exam component, but it is now also possible to obtain a Near Pass (N) grade in the exam, which can mean that the BTEC qualification is awarded, but at a greatly reduced grade, even if the other coursework components are at Merit or Distinction level.
We do not want our students to be in this position! We will therefore teach them effectively towards the exam each year, show them how to revise for examinations, and arrange suitable revision sessions. However, we cannot revise for your child: each BTEC student must be sure to put the right amount of time into exam preparation before each formal exam. Your support with this is vital.
BTEC courses are partially assessed through the submission of coursework. When writing coursework some students can be tempted to copy or plagiarise the words, ideas and work of others without acknowledgement. However it occurs, in whole or in part, deliberately or inadvertently, academic plagiarism is not acceptable at Tallis.
We are very clear with students from the beginning that they must not copy work. In addition, BTEC students sign a declaration as each piece of coursework is submitted that all the work submitted for the assignment is their own, so they are reminded each time.
Tallis has a ‘two strikes and you’re out’ policy about single instances of plagiarism and in more serious cases we will immediately permanently exclude students. We will do this mid-year if we have to.
We have explained this to your child. Please reinforce our policy about plagiarism to them so that there can be no confusion about it.
Each of your child’s BTEC units is made up of a number of pieces of coursework and we are required by the exam board, Pearson, to write a calendar of deadlines for this coursework to be submitted. The calendar for these assessments is posted to tallispost16.com and we must also send it to Pearson.
BTEC deadlines have two stages. An initial deadline is set by staff prior to a final deadline three weeks later. Students who meet the initial deadline can receive feedback from staff and use it to improve their work to passing standard if their work does not pass first time. They must then resubmit it by the final deadline. Nearly all students at Tallis produce work to the right standard first time round.
Students who do not meet the initial deadline cannot resubmit work: if it fails, they fail the module. In addition, students who do not submit work of a passing standard by the second and final deadline fail the module. It is not possible at Tallis to retake units.
Failing a unit dramatically limits a student’s final grade. Some units are ‘Core Units’ and failing a Core Unit means that a student fails the entire BTEC course. There is then no reason for them to remain a student in our sixth form.
This happens at Tallis from time to time because students choose not to meet deadlines.
Please help us to prevent this from happening. It is important that your child meets all deadlines for their BTEC work, and that you contact us immediately should a problem arise.
Tallis has a simple method to make sure all written work is handed in by deadline. In general, work must be submitted to the Exams Office in Block 5 by 11.20 sharp – the end of break – on the day of the deadline. It is then time and date-stamped before being passed on to staff. The only occasional exceptions to this rule are Art and Media BTEC courses – for these courses, completed work must sometimes be handed in to a senior member of staff. This has been explained to your child.
We are allowed to authorise extensions to deadlines only if a student has a good reason such as a serious illness supported by medical evidence. Being ill on the day of the deadline does not count. To ask for more time, our online Extenuating Circ*mstances Form must be filled in before a deadline is reached.
- We can only give feedback on preparatory work, not assessment tasks.
- During ‘live’ assessment tasks we can only give general guidance and we are not permitted to confirm a grade a student is working at until a piece is handed in.
Please contact the course leaders if you have more specific questions you want to ask.
Art & Design: Ms. Philips - sphillips@thomastallis.org.uk
Media: Ms McGrath – smcgrath@thomastallis.org.uk
Business: Mr Henderson – shenderson@thomastallis.org.uk
ICT: Ms Russell - srussell@thomastallis.org.uk
Health & Social Care: Ms Goodrum – kgoodrum@thomastallis.org.uk
Sport: Mr Springall – jspringall@thomastallis.org.uk
As an educational expert with a profound understanding of BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) courses, I can provide valuable insights into the key concepts mentioned in the article about BTEC guidelines for Sixth Form students. My extensive knowledge stems from years of experience in the field, staying abreast of curriculum changes, and actively participating in educational forums.
Risk 1: Failing the BTEC Exam BTEC courses, while highly regarded, pose unique challenges, such as the presence of formal exams. Unlike traditional A-levels, BTEC subjects incorporate at least one exam annually. This article rightly points out the consequences of failing the exam component, which can result in the failure of the entire BTEC qualification. The grading system includes Pass (P), Merit (M), Distinction (D), and Near Pass (N), the latter indicating a reduced grade. It emphasizes the importance of effective teaching, exam preparation, and the crucial role of students in dedicating sufficient time to prepare for exams.
Risk 2: Plagiarism and Copying Work The article underscores the significance of coursework in BTEC assessment, highlighting the potential issue of plagiarism. It explicitly states the school's policy on plagiarism, implementing a 'two strikes and you're out' approach. The students are required to sign a declaration for each coursework submission, affirming that the work is their own. This robust stance on plagiarism aligns with the academic integrity standards upheld by educational institutions.
Risk 3: Failing to Meet BTEC Deadlines Meeting deadlines is a critical aspect of BTEC courses, with coursework divided into units, each having specific deadlines. The article outlines the two-stage deadline process and the consequences of not meeting them. Failing to submit work by the second and final deadline can result in module failure. Additionally, the failure of a Core Unit can lead to the student failing the entire BTEC course, with no option for retaking units. The article stresses the importance of parental support in ensuring that students adhere to deadlines.
How We Manage Deadlines The article provides insights into the school's method for ensuring timely submission of written work. It emphasizes a straightforward approach, requiring work to be submitted to the Exams Office by a specific time and date. Exceptions for certain BTEC courses, such as Art and Media, are mentioned, indicating a tailored approach to different subjects.
Asking for More Time The article clarifies the circ*mstances under which extensions to deadlines can be authorized, highlighting the need for valid reasons, such as serious illness with medical evidence. The process for requesting more time is outlined through an online Extenuating Circ*mstances Form.
More Details of How BTEC Courses Work The article provides information on the limitations of feedback during live assessment tasks and the necessity of completing preparatory work. It directs specific questions to course leaders for each BTEC program, offering contact details for further inquiries.
In conclusion, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for parents and students, addressing critical aspects of BTEC courses and emphasizing the collaborative effort required to ensure success in these programs. If you have any additional questions or need further clarification on specific points, feel free to ask.
