BTEC Firsts in Music and BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice: September 2021 update

2021 - 2022 Academic year

Following the recent Ofqual consultation, awarding bodies have received confirmation that Ofqual will withdraw designation of Category B from 1 September 2021. This means that for the 2021/2022 academic year teacher-assessed grades will not be available.

We are able to confirm that adaptations for our Level 1/2 Tech Awards have been ‘rolled over’ into 2021/22 academic year, with Ofqual and DfEs support. 

We are working with Ofqual and DfE to confirm adaptation arrangements for our other BTEC suites and will confirm these as soon as possible. Until we are able to do this, we’d encourage you to plan for assessment, and to prioritise the delivery and assessment of mandatory units.

There is now a dedicated page for Teaching, learning and assessment in 2021/22 for BTEC qualifications.

Visit the Teaching, learning and assessment in 2021/22 page

To keep up to date with the latest information please do sign up to the VQ bulletins that are sent regularly.

Sign up to receive the VQ bulletin

BTEC Tech Award in Music Praactice

Last September the DfE published the technical guidance for KS4 qualifications to be included in 2024 performance tables in England. To meet these new requirements, Pearson has submitted revised BTEC Tech Award qualifications. The teaching and learning content has remained broadly the same.

Read about the changes to BTEC Tech Awards

There is a draft specification along with sample assessment material and Pearson Set Assignments available to view online now.

Visit the redeveloped BTEC Tech Tech Award in Music Practice (2022) page

There are also training events to give an overview of the redeveloped specification. Please search using the keyword 'Music' to book a place using the link to the training pages.

Book a place on a training event