Petition to Save BTEC and other Applied General Qualifications

Reducing student’s core choice to only TWO main pathways could slip in under the radar.... Young people in England can currently choose between three types of Level 3 qualification at the age of 16: academic qualifications such as A levels, technical qualifications that lead to a specific occupation, and applied general qualifications such as BTECs that combine the development of practical skills

with academic learning. In July 2021, the Department for Education confirmed plans to replace this three-route model with a two-route model of A levels and T levels (a new suite of technical qualifications), where most young people pursue one of these qualifications at the age of 16. As a result, funding for the majority of BTEC qualifications will be removed. The campaign coalition of 24 organisations that represent and support staff and students in schools, colleges and universities is deeply concerned about this plan. In our view, it is far too simplistic, and many young people will continue to be better served studying a BTEC rather than an A level or T level-only study programme. Our shared priority is to by ensuring that AGQs continue to play a major role in the future qualifications landscape. Sign the petition at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/592642 and visit protectstudentchoice.org for more detail