A “serious incident” that left T Level health and science students with lower-than-expected results did “slightly tarnish” the T Level brand, the newly reappointed minister for skills has said.
Addressing the blunder, which led to an Ofqual and Department for Education investigation, Andrea Jenkyns said “it was very unfortunate, we were all disappointed”.
“We’ve got an investigation into that at the moment and I’m going to be releasing that this year.
“I think it’s a shame that that happened. It has sort of tarnished slightly some of the PR and the positivity of T Levels,” Jenkyns said.
The minister followed up her comments with a staunch defence of T Levels and gave no indication of a change of policy on level 3 qualifications under prime minister Liz Truss’ administration.
Back in May, the DfE published a draft list of 160 qualifications, including 38 BTECs, that it proposes to withdraw funding from in 2024 as they “overlap” with T Levels. The decision to defund BTECs in order to promote T Levels has been challenged by sector bodies, most notably by the Protect Student Choice campaign, led by the Sixth Form Colleges Association.
Awarding organisations had until July 8 to appeal the DfE’s proposals. A final list of qualifications set to lose their funding is expected to be released imminently.
Jenkyns said that despite having done a BTEC national in business and finance, she would herself now choose a T Level.
“If I was choosing now I would do T Levels. It’s actually the industry placement. I know that there have been some issues with the placement and trying to get employers on board. But I think this is the right direction to be honest.”
The minister suggests that the industry placement element of T Levels will provide young people from working class families with the business and social networks that middle class families take for granted.
Jenkyns was speaking on a panel organised by the Centre for Social Justice called ‘bridging the gap: high quality education for all’ alongside representatives from tutoring companies, the Fair Education Alliance and Robert Halfon, the chair of the education committee.
This was the first education fringe event the new minister spoke at at the conference, and one of the first public events she has spoken at.
“I’m very much a meritocrat; working-class background, first in my family to go to university in my late 30s and I was a BTEC girl,” she said by way of introduction.
As well as rolling out T Levels and “driving up standards in apprenticeships”, Jenkyns said she wants to see “major improvements in literacy and numeracy across all ages”.
On higher education, Jenkyns said she disagrees with some university vice-chancellors’ calls for raising tuition fees.
“Lots of universities have said to me that they want us to put up the amount that you can charge students. What I’m concerned about is the student. They’re going to be the ones who at the moment are saddled with 30 grand in debt. And so I don’t personally want to see that increased, especially when young people are starting out in life. I think we actually need to look at new ways of working it.”
“If I was choosing now I would do T Levels”, the operative word is choosing – the point is you won’t be able to choose. It’s not just BTECs it’s how they, and qualifications like them, combine and interlock which is the great enabler. Still let’s see what the fair, open and transparent ‘appeals’ process for applied generals brings. I look forward to the next DfE misstep and the inevitable judicial review which surely some representative bodies must be considering.
So the main issue is not the appalling impact on students but the PR and brand. Shows the arrogance of those around t levels who refuse to listen to the sector. Young people are the guinea pigs, but that doesn’t matter. Just as long as the civil servants and ministers can protect their ‘brand’. Are these people for real?
I think the case should be taken to court . And a public apology should be announced on media, pity your brand your reputation will be at risk soon try to make a joke out of that ! Like you did with those students and the book and the fact the course was on trial
Shame on your brand low life morons you stupid politicians have nothing better to do improve the damn course
no excuse for what’s happened the students need to be owe a public apology on media and compensation, how dare you even do something like this. Pity your brand your reputation will be at risk if there no apology given on media. You at least need to tell the students what the damn went wrong and why ! I suggest you prepare before the case reaches further ! You all deserve to be taken to court !