Parents say students spent year studying 'for nothing' as school scraps course in 'sexist' move
The Oasis Academy on the Isle of Sheppey
More than 40 teenagers have spent a year studying “for nothing” after their school scrapped a BTEC course, their parents say.
Students at Oasis Academy on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent have been studying hard for the hair and beauty qualification since September. Now with the BTEC withdrawn they’ll be required to spend extra time focusing on their English, maths, and science GCSEs – even though the hair and beauty course aligns more with some of their future career goals.
Pupils have been asked to continue their lessons until the end of Year 10 and take mock exams in the subject, even though they will never receive the actual qualification due to the decision by the Leigh Academy Minster Trust (LAM), which is set to take over the school from September.
In a letter to families, the organisation stated: “LAM will not be continuing the BTEC Level 2 hair and beauty qualification next year. This qualification will be superseded by supplementary specialised support in GCSE English, mathematics, and science. This is aimed at enhancing your child’s preparation for the end-of-year summer examinations. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding with this decision.”
A number of parents are less than pleased, venting their frustration over how their children have been treated. Davina Savage revealed that her 15-year-old daughter Wren Charman, who harbours ambitions to be a theatrical makeup artist, has been left “really, really unhappy” due to the course changes.
The mum-of-three stated: “I was gobsmacked because it’s such a great course. It’s got such a momentum to it. It doesn’t just teach the pupils about the hair and beauty industry but also about the science behind the chemicals used, how to manage a business, how to be a business owner, all sorts. But now, they’ve spent a whole academic year of studying, three lessons a week, for nothing. They won’t get a grade and they’re going to miss out on a qualification at the end of Year 11 and secondary school.”
Ms Savage, an employee at her partner’s grounds maintenance company, claimed that when LAM announced its takeover of the Oasis Academy, it reassured students that their GCSE studies would remain unaffected. Continuing to voice her dismay, she added: “It is almost like they’re treating the pupils on the hair and beauty course like they’re thick. They are the only pupils at the school who are losing their BTEC option and will be the only pupils doing this extra English, maths, and science tuition.” LAM has confirmed that the hair and beauty subject is the sole course at the school that will discontinue from Year 10 into Year 11.
Part of a statement posted on Oasis Academy’s website states: “Mainstream students currently in Years 9, 10, and 12 will complete their current studies uninterrupted.” The academy’s spokesperson commented: “Part of this journey of rapid improvement is a new, academic approach to the curriculum with high standards and expectations.
“Our new curriculum will not include hair and beauty like the existing Oasis school, which will close. This decision has been made after detailed analysis of the current situation and what students require to achieve excellent destinations. By enhancing the focus of these core subjects, we aim to significantly improve the students’ performance, ensuring they have the qualifications needed to pursue their chosen paths successfully. Furthermore the BTEC hair and beauty course is being withdrawn nationally and is very rarely offered as an option for students at the age of 14.”
Father-of-three Mark Seager is protesting against the ruling – which has affected his 15-year-old daughter Maddison – claiming it’s ‘sexist’. The 52 year old expressed his disappointment, saying: “It is totally unfair and it is quite sexist. The school can continue the construction courses but not hair and beauty. This is the starting point for a lot of girls’ dream jobs and that has been taken away from them. My daughter chose this subject to shape her future. She wants to be a hairdresser like her auntie. Now, a year of her life has been wasted.”
Mr Seager stated that his daughter would not be attending the additional tuition classes, explaining: “Maddison has been studying this course for a year and for the next 10 weeks she’s got to study something that isn’t going anywhere. She won’t get a grade. She is outstanding at English, science, and maths. She doesn’t need more tuition in the subjects. She will be missing these extra classes they’re offering next year so she can study for the other options she’s chosen.”
Tara Hughes, whose 15-year-old daughter Savannah has also been affected, echoed Mr Seager’s sentiments, stating: “It is discrimination. Who’s to say the next Toni and Guy isn’t in that class? This is the time children are making decisions that shape the rest of their lives and the school made that decision for them.”
Many of the parents have contacted the school via email and letter, and have also reached out to MP Gordon Henderson. However Mr Henderson, who is also chairman of LAM, stated: “We do not believe hairdressing and beauty is an appropriate course at GCSE. The skills offered by the course can be better learnt at an older age in a further education environment, such as at Sheppey College, which already offers a suitable course. I am not sure why the Oasis Academy offered a hairdressing and beauty course in the first place. I think that decision was wrong, not least because it reduced the time available for more academic subjects, which are known to give children better life chances.”
“I appreciate our decision will disappoint some of the children, and their parents, who are currently in the middle of the course. However, those pupils who wish to pursue a career in that industry will be able to do that still by enrolling at Sheppey College at a future date.”