BTEC/T level/other vocational 25/26

@LarkspurLane DD had woeful attendance for her first 2 years, something like 75 and 80% due to MH. Never had an ounce of complaint (though it was a level 1 course and she has an EHCP). Might have been helped by her working hard when in and keeping up. We just notify as 'sick - mental health'.

95% is a reasonable target at college age.

Hi all, hope half term is going well for everyone.

I've a question about illness. DS college has a new policy that pretty much all absence is unauthorised. They were talking about doctors, dentists, etc. but then moved on to headaches and colds. They are aiming for 95% attendance and DS is not ill all that often, but I was quite surprised at this rule.

What do other colleges do?
School was annoying enough but at least illness was authorised.

Aww @Sisublondie
That's wonderful 😊

How is everyone’s first day going?!

I just wanted to give a little hope to other ND DC parents regarding the hell of parties….. I have had years dreading Christmas and Halloween parties, as, together with ANY parties in general ( but birthday ones aren’t as obvious) as DS is never invited to any.

I got a text from him , asking for a lift to the neighbouring town on Friday night. Just that. “Ok”, I thought, “ I’ll ask him the details later”…….… It was then followed by “ It’s at “Jess” ( “Toby”’s GF house). For a Halloween party”… ….So, I thought “ OH my God!! That is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! But!! I must play it cool!!!!!”….. thinking I’ll just ask what time he needs to leave and just be nonchalant …

….. it was then followed up with ….. “It is my First Ever Party”…….

Yep. It’s fair to say I cried my eyes out!!! I’m SO excited for him! 🎃 👻 🦇 ⚰️ 🥳

@swampwitch0

How was the fair and the chippy chips?! 🍟
Does DD need an outfit for Friday?!

Ditto!! I was just about to post the same! ( well, save for the bead explosion!! 💥 🙀! And sadly, yes, you probably will be doing!)…

I’m pretty certain DS has accomplished zilch today! I’m hoping he’s doing what I would do, using the first day off as a faffing around, doing nothing day, then cracking on for the rest of the week! However, I’m pretty sure the lift he wants me to give him tomorrow to the town his college is in, is for 🎃 carving………..🤷‍♀️🙄😹!!, at his new friends!

In other news, he has his FIRST EVER PARTY on Friday!! 🥳!

So, is DD working now?! Or, just picking beads up! 😹

I can't say there's a huge amount of work going on here 😉
Dd tends to do her work after lunch/into the evening, which usually means that I'm having to argue with her to stop at 11pm 😬
There was a ceramic bead explosion at 11pm last night...I think I'll still be finding them next year 😬

Dd has been on half term for a week already - another week to go then an inset day! 😬
She has sime plans to meet friends next week, and a Halloween party on Friday 🎃
The annual fair is in town, so we might have a walk down later and get some chippy chips 🍟 😀

Eeeek!! Yes, I hear you! - and, nothing like TTROs to strike fear….. As for the unreliable buses and non existent trains…. do you ever wonder how different it would be for you if these things actually ran the way they should?? It must be infuriating. Disgrace!! So, yes, it is back to a car being the only reliable mode of transport! ( ummmm…. If not broken down, or stuck in traffic…….🙄😹….)!

@TeenToTwenties..

Oh, what FABULOUS news!! You must both be so relieved!! Absolutely amazing. But, what a crying shame she can’t walk to it……….😈🙄😈😻😹!!!

Happy Half Term, everyone!!!

I have brought DS to a nearby city which we don’t know at all really, he is meeting a new friend off his course to watch that new anime film. 🍿 We left stupidly early ( my idea) in case of traffic/got lost/plus I’m crap at parking, especially in multi story car parks! But! We are here, parked ( after a faff, as I couldn’t actually get out of my car!), his friend has just turned up, ( he is also ND) and they have gone for a walk round the shops before their movie starts ( his friend knows his way around here), so massive achievement already today! It’ll be a two hour plus round trip home, so I have decided to go and watch a film myself!! Only ones that start around now are some pet cartoon, or a not great looking teenage rom-com “ Regretting You”… So! I’m going to watch that, so I’m close by too, if he needs me. There are only 5 other tickets sold! 🤷‍♀️🙄😹! .. might even treat myself to a “ Baskin Bobbins” as I used to call it!

I hope everyone else is enjoying what the start of what is hopefully a good break, even for those with assignments/ prep work to be done! 🤞🙏😸

Yup we have half term now so 11 days break for DD.
Well done to everyone for getting this far!

@TeenToTwenties amazing news!

Is it half term now for many? If so enjoy the break!

@Sisublondie
The frustrating thing here is that theoretically public transport is available.
The reality, sadly, is that buses either don't turn up or are really late - various reasons, not least the constant accidents on a nearby motorway junction(s) and local roadworks. It's crazy. There are no less than 3 TTROs active at any time on the busiest routes lately.
Trains can be tricky, too, as there has been line closures for months due to upgrades on the line.
It feels like its the car or nothing here atm ☹️😡

@TeenToTwenties
Brilliant!

That's fab!
How is she going to get there? 😉

Good news from college yesterday evening. My 'second list' of potential placements has yielded a retail business DD could walk to who are interested in taking her. It isn't hands on animals but is animal-adjacent, and she could walk to it. It is a business we use so she is familiar enough with the inside of it already, and she could walk to it. I know they do take on paid part time stuff too so it definitely would have the possibility of turning into paid work if it all works out.

Did I mention she could walk to it?

I hope all that goes well. I know how much their hobbies mean to them. DS19 has now started playing team football, and he is so happy to get back to it, he was really missing it. I hope she is enjoying helping out, in the interim.

The driving thing is quite interesting. It’s complicated for DS, as he is epileptic. Plus we live in a rural area with zero public transport to get out of the village….. DS19 passed in June, but then was involved in the accident and his car was written off ( with ten months insurance paid left to run) so now no car currently for DS to learn in when he finally gets his provisional ( after medical stuff). DS19 has a few friends who haven’t bothered learning, and yes, @swampwitch0, he is exactly as you mention your DD, even if his car was still alive, there is zero way he’d have it up in Edinburgh.

I am definitely seeing that a driving licence seems more necessary for practical BTEC courses for some. DS will need one for his hopeful profession, in any event, whether we lived back in London, or out here in the “arse-end of nowhere, Mother!….WHY???!!”! 🙄🙀😹!

@teafor1
Dd has not tried out for a main event this time, and is just helping out and has said she doesn't want to be involved at all for the next event (this is totally about the committee members involved..bad experience last time..)
So it may be that she ends up with 2/3 months off -but she can qualify for the adult events once she's 18 next year...

Dd is currently refusing to learn to drive 🙄
Dd1 passed 3 years ago, which has meant that she could get herself to university and back, do pt jobs in the summer and is now working all over doing supply
Tbf to dd, it would be very hard to park where she is based and cost ££
Not sure what her plans are post 18, but if she goes to a local university, then it's possible via public transport and one of the best degree courses in her subject is at a university not far from here

@swampwitch0 my dd is struggling with energy for all her hobbies. I fear somethings got to give.

@TeenToTwenties it seems a drivers licence it’s important for these practical courses our kids are on. My son is doing A levels but wants to do an apprenticeship after and the application of what he wants asked about a drivers licence. He’ll be 18 soon and I’m thinking of giving him lessons for birthday and Xmas. I’m sorry your dd isn’t up for that right now. It’s hideously expensive and I don’t understand how they are supposed to practice with adding them to our insurance is so much.

My DD does actually have some homework for half term 😁. Also a piece she did was assessed and she’s done well (though I have no idea what the standard is!) so I’m happy. Her teacher has suddenly left which is strange but they’ve got a new one and she likes him - phew.

I think it's occurring to dd that she may not have as much time for her hobby ☹️

I think that's really sensible.
Good that no resits required...I think dd would really struggle with BTEC work and resits