BTEC At Key Stage 4?

Planning to teachBTEC at Key Stage 4?Your guide tothe differences betweenBTEC First Awards andBTEC Tech Awards

ContentsThis guide will help you to understand the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards andinform your decision about which of the two types of qualification would be better suited to your KS4 students.In this guide you will find:BTEC First Awards explained3BTEC Tech Awards explained5What’s on 2020, 2021 and 2022performance tables?7Art and Design8Music9Childcare10Travel and Tourism11Sport12Useful Links13Your guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards2

BTEC First Awards explainedOur BTEC First Awards can be taught alongside GCSEs, giving students a hands-on learning style that provides theopportunity to develop skills to draw upon throughout their careers: graded across Level 2 with a Level 1 pass fallback designed for 14 year olds work through themed units exploringan industry sector apply learning through scenario based tasks and testsin a work‑related context a progression route to further study, to anapprenticeship or into employment the qualifications below are on DfE KS4 performancetables in England and count in the 'open group' ofProgress 8.Model 1:Core Internal Unit30 GLHCore External Unit30 GLHMandatory/Optionalspecialist units Animal CareBTEC First Award Music Construction and theBuilt Environment– Revised 2018Model 2:1 MandatoryExternal Unit30 GLH Art and Design2 MandatoryInternal Units30 GLHOptionalspecialist unit* Sport – Revised 2018BTEC First Award Travel and Tourism– Revised 2018 Children's Play, Learningand Development - Revised2017*None in Children's Play, Learning and Development.Your guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards3

BTEC First Awards explained continuedCourse GradingBTEC First Award learners receive a grade for eachindividual unit (Distinction, Merit, Pass, or Unclassified).BTEC First Awards from 2012 also include a Level 1 passat unit and qualification level, and a Distinction* grade (atqualification level only).We calculate the final grade for a BTEC First Awardby looking at performance across each unit in thequalification using a points-based scale. Each individualspecification contains details of how to grade each unitand calculate the overall qualification grade.For more information about gradingCourse/Assessment StructureCore units and optional specialist units25%externallyset and marked75%internally set and markedand externally verifiedquals.pearson.com/BTECfirstsYour guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards4

BTEC Tech Awards explainedOur BTEC Tech Awards are also designed to be taught alongside GCSEs, giving your students a glimpse into aprofessional sector whilst teaching them transferable skills for life. Often the Tech Award is a broader, more detailedexploration of a sector proving a basis for a range of post-16 options: specifically designed for 14–16 year olds in schools graded across Level 1 and Level 2 to recognise theachievements of all studentsall qualifications are on DfE KS4 performance tables inEngland and count in the 'open group' of Progress 8. 40% external assessment assessed using assignments, tests and practical tasksto suit vocational studentsComponent 2Component 3DevelopApplyknowledge, skills andbest practicesknowledge, skills andbest practices30%40%Component 1Explorethe sector30%Components 1 & 2:Component 3: *Internal assessmentPractical assignmentsExternal assessmentTask and written assessment(Set and marked by the school, verified by Pearson)Your guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards(Set and marked by Pearson)*Sport and Travel & Tourism externally assessedin Component 25

BTEC Tech Awards explainedQualification GradingLevel 1 GradingPassMeritDistinctionLevel 2 GradingPassMeritDistinctionDistinction*Step 1Grade Points TableInternalassignmentsHow is the on Grade tudents achieve a grade for eachScomponent, which is then allocated anumber of points.Step 2At the end of the course, the points fromeach component are added up to give atotal number of points.Unclassified 0 pointsUnclassified 0 pointsUnclassified 0 pointsLevel 1 Pass: 9 pointsLevel 1 Pass: 12–17 pointsLevel 1 Pass: 30 pointsLevel 1 Merit: 15 pointsLevel 1 Merit: 18–23 pointsLevel 1 Merit 44 pointsLevel 2 Pass: 22 pointsLevel 1 Distinction: 24–29 pointsLevel 1 Distinction 58 pointsLevel 2 Merit: 29 pointsLevel 2 Pass: 30–35 pointsLevel 2 Pass 72 pointsLevel 2 Distinction: 36 pointsLevel 2 Merit: 36–41 pointsLevel 2 Merit 95 pointsLevel 2 Distinction: 42–48 pointsLevel 2 Distinction 105 pointsFor more information about gradingLevel 2 Distinction* 114 pointsquals.pearson.com/BTECTAYour guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech AwardsStep 3The total number of points is matchedagainst the grade thresholds for thequalification.6

What’s on 2020, 2021 and 2022performance tables?BTEC First Awards in:BTEC Tech Awards in: Animal Care* Health & Social Care* Art and Design* Performing Arts* (with Production Arts route) Children’s Play, Learning andDevelopment* Engineering* Creative Media Production* Enterprise* Digital Information Technology Art & Design Practice Child Development Music Practice Sport, Activity and Fitness Travel and Tourism Music* Construction and the Built Environment*– Revised 2018 Sport* – Revised 2018 Travel and Tourism* – Revised 2018*Also on the 2019 performance tablesYour guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards7

Art and DesignA comparison of the First and Tech AwardsBTEC First Award in Art and Design (2012)BTEC Tech Award in Art and Design Practice (2018)Content Focus:Content Focus: Focus on developing vocationally relevant art and design skills. Focus on developing commercially focused art and design skills. Optional units such as contextual references in art and design, a rangeof 2D and/or 3D specialist discipline units, and portfolio development. Three mandatory components in which art and design skills are appliedin any discipline. Learners research relevant products, and client andaudience needs to develop art and design work to meet the needs ofclient briefs. External assessment is a response to a theme-based brief in a chosendiscipline which is marked internally and externally verified. External assessment is a practical response to set a vocational briefand is externally set and marked.Student Profile/Progression:Student Profile/Progression: For students aiming to move into entry-level roles, such as assistantsin design and craft production, the fashion and textiles sector, productdesign services, or the visual arts and visual communications sectors. Suited to students who want to develop practical visualcommunication skills. There is also a clear progression route to a Level 3 course orapprenticeship. For students who want to learn through vocational contexts andcreative projects. Designed to complement GCSEs. For students considering progression to Level 3 vocational study orA-Level as preparation for higher education or a creative career.Your guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards8

HeadingMusicA comparison of the First and Tech AwardsBTEC First Award in Music (2013)BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice (2018)Content Focus:Content Focus: Focus on music industry (unique content). Focus on creating/producing musical product to an industry brief – it isabout practice, rather than the wider music sector. Optional units e.g. live sound. Optional units allow the creation of a more specialist course. Mandatory requirements to study musical elements in different genres. Development of processes skills and techniques that underpin effectiveways of working in the music industry. Attitudes that are considered most important in the music industry,including personal management and communication.Student Profile/Progression:Student Profile/Progression: Suited to students who are interested in music and working with music,but who are not automatically performers. Suited to students who are interested in music performance, creationor production. Suited for progression to level 3 academic, applied general or technicallevel music or music technology qualification, or to an apprenticeship. Students who want to acquire technical knowledge and technical skillsthrough vocational contexts. Suited for general introduction to the music sector. Designed to complement GCSEs. For students considering progression to A-Level as preparation forhigher education, Level 3 vocational study.Your guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards9

HeadingChildcareA comparison of the First and Tech AwardsBTEC First Award in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (2017)BTEC Tech Award in Child Development (2018)Content Focus:Content Focus: Child development 0–8 years. Child development 0–5 years. Content includes Principles of Early Years Practice (ways to implementinclusive practice, how children are empowered, importance of keyperson approach). Content includes how children learn through play and how meetingthe needs of individual children will support their development, playand learning.Student Profile/Progression:Student Profile/Progression: Designed to enable progression onto Level 3 Early Years Educatorqualifications, which require knowledge and understanding of 0-8years. Aimed at those with an interest in eventually progressing to a roleinvolving working with children (not necessarily in the early years sector). Complements GCSE English and GCSE Psychology. Leads to further vocational study or A-Level.Your guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards10

HeadingTravel and TourismA comparison of the First and Tech AwardsBTEC First Award in Travel and Tourism (2018)BTEC Tech Award in Travel and Tourism (2018)Content Focus:Content Focus: The opportunity to explore UK and global travel and tourism. Global travel and tourism as well as UK. Focus on the geography and knowledge required for specific roles inthe travel and tourism sector, e.g. visas and travel advice. Focus on trends and issues in the industry and how destinations andorganisations overcome these through destination management. Development of customer service skills.Student Profile/Progression:Student Profile/Progression Suited to students interested in working in industries such as travelagents, tourist information centres or visitor attractions. Suited to students interested in the travel and tourism industry asa whole. For students who want to acquire knowledge and technical skillsthrough vocational contexts by exploring the aims of different traveland tourism organisations, the features of tourist destinations, howorganisations meet customer requirements, and the influences onglobal travel and tourism as part of their Key Stage 4 learning, includingimplementation of sustainable tourism principles.Your guide to the differences between the BTEC First Awards and the BTEC Tech Awards11