it's way more complicated now
there are national diplomas and first diplomas, too, which is another place to put weaker students or those with learning problems. I currently teach 9 different courses/levels.
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Sat 13 Nov 2010, 12:57, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

Shirley students with "learning difficulties" won't go to uni?

(Bear Pookie The Frankly Challenged. Halloween is coming to town., Sat 13 Nov 2010, 13:00, Reply)

no, but that's not what FE is for necessarily these days
although we do get some who struggled at school, because of some learning difficulty or unidentified need (like dyslexia) who start on first diploma and (especially in our department which is quite practical) progress through to the diploma and sometimes even the foundation degree.
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Sat 13 Nov 2010, 13:02, Reply)

Mrs Boris did badly at school,
But on her BTEC and subsequent uni career did a stellar job. Shame I saddled the poor thing with a couple of kids...
( Colonel Boris "...a desperate Buzzfeed imitation...", Sat 13 Nov 2010, 13:04, Reply)