Best Schools - Scrapping BTECs could lead to more young people dropping out of education, according to the Associat

In its response to the government consultation on post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below, the association said that abolishing applied general qualifications – of which BTECs are the most popular – would not give a greater guarantee of progress.

“Forcing students down a path of either A levels or T levels at age 16 does not give a greater guarantee of progress towards a student’s ‘intended outcome’. On the contrary, our view is that this risks leading to more students dropping out of education altogether,” says the response by the association, led by general secretary Geoff Barton.

According to ASCL, scrapping BTECs could also have a disproportionate impact on students with special educational needs, with 13 per cent of students who take applied general qualifications having special educational needs – compared with 4 per cent who take A levels.

Members of the Scottish Parliament meet private schools over plan to axe rates relief

Members of the Scottish Parliament will meet senior figures from independent schools to discuss plans to deny them the ability to claim charitable relief from business rates.

Legislation going through the Scottish Parliament proposes changes to the collection of non-domestic rates, known as business rates.

Among the most controversial plans is the proposal to drop charitable rate relief for mainstream independent schools in Scotland.

Members of the Scottish Parliament's lead committee on the Non-Domestic Rates Bill, the Local Government and Communities Committee, will tomorrow meet representatives from independent schools at George Watson's College, in Edinburgh.

The host is one of the schools taking part, as are Kilgraston School, Glasgow Academy, St Mary's Music School, Hamilton College and Cargilfield Prep School. John Edward, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, which represents more than 70 schools, will also attend.