Conservative plan to scrap BTECs risks embedding results inequalities for thousands of young people, Labour warns

Saturday, 14 August 2021 00:01

Today [Saturday], Labour has warned that the Conservatives’ plan to scrap most BTEC qualifications risks embedding the inequalities seen in 2021 results for thousands of young people. The Government’s own analysis shows their plans to scrap qualifications will disproportionately hit BTEC courses taken by disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the same students who have been outstripped in this week’s GCSE results and BTEC...Request free trial

Today [Saturday], Labour has warned that the Conservatives’ plan to scrap most BTEC qualifications risks embedding the inequalities seen in 2021 results for thousands of young people.

The Government’s own analysis shows their plans to scrap qualifications will disproportionately hit BTEC courses taken by disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the same students who have been outstripped in this week’s GCSE results and BTEC results.

Students eligible for free school meals were less than half as likely to achieve a grade 7 in their GCSEs compared with more advantaged peers, while for learners taking level one or two BTECs the attainment gap for students on free school meals has increased 74 per cent since 2018.

A similar pattern is seen for students with SEND where the attainment gap has increased 47 per cent for those studying level one or two BTECs.

The Conservatives’ chaotic last-minute approach to results has opened the door to this unfairness, with the decision to scrap courses taken by these learners risking embedding this inequality and preventing students moving onto level 3 (A-level equivalent) study.

Even before the pandemic, progress in closing the gap in learning between pupils on free school meals and their peers had stalled for five years, leaving poorer pupils 18 months behind their peers when taking their GCSEs.

Universities report that scrapping BTECs is also likely to put barriers in place for students who want to go onto university. Since 2011 the number of students applying to universities with BTEC qualifications has nearly doubled, while previous research has found 44 per cent of white working class students entered university with at least one vocational qualification.

Toby Perkins MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Further Education and Skills, said:

“The Conservatives’ plan to scrap BTEC risks embedding inequalities and holding young people back.

“Despite recognising the harmful impact that this decision will have on students from poorer backgrounds the Conservatives are ploughing ahead showing a shocking disregard for young people’s life chances.

“These qualifications are valued by employers, universities and students themselves. The Government’s alternative T-Level qualifications are currently unproven and a hasty charge to abolish BTECs would be hugely irresponsible.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The Government’s Equality Impact Assessment highlights that: “those from SEND backgrounds, Asian ethnic groups, disadvantaged backgrounds, and males [are] disproportionately likely to be affected.” (p13)
Ofqual results data (p14) shows that the attainment gap in achieving top grades for students with SEND and on free school meals studying level 1 and 2 qualifications has increased

SEND (less likely to achieve top grade)
2018	3.6%
2021	5.3%
Gap increase	1.7
% increase	47%

FSM (less likely to achieve top grade)
2018	2.3%
2021	4.0%
Gap increase	1.7
% increase	74%

Data released by Ofqual shows widening attainment gaps for GCSE students

Year	%Grade 7 (Non FSM)	%Grade 7 (FSM)	Gap
2018	22.61	9.06	13.55
2019	23.01	9.46	13.55
2020	28.57	12.19	16.38
2021	31.48	13.60	17.88

This attainment has increase by 32% since 2019 and means pupils on free school meals were 57% less likely to achieve a grade 7s this year.
Teachers, student and college representatives have urged the government to rethink their plans, with twelve organisations writing to Gavin Williamson warning of the impact this could have on disadvantaged students: https://sfcawebsite.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/document/0721-Protect-Student-Choice-letter-v2.pdf
Pupils on free school meals are on average 18 months behind at GCSE a gap which had not narrowed in five years even before the pandemic https://epi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/EPI_2020_Annual_Report_.pdf
There has been a 43% increase in the number of students applying to university with a BTEC qualification (UCAS: Qualification Type)

Applying to Uni with BTECs (England only)
	2011	2020	Change	% increase
BTEC only	23265	26285	3020	13%
BTEC & A-levels	9360	20490	11130	119%
Totals	32625	46775	14150	43%

Research from the Social Market Foundation found that 44% of white working-class students that enter university studied at least one vocational qualification and 37% of black students enter with only vocational qualifications.
Over 90% of respondents to a NEON (National Education Opportunities Network) survey felt that it was crucial for widening access to HE that the BTEC option was available to Level 3 students. (NEON p9)