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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

BTEC/T level/other vocational 25/26

991 replies

BTECnewbie · 14/08/2025 19:34

Hello all. My DS will hopefully be starting a level 3 extended diploma in September (assuming he gets the grades). I know very little about BTECs having come through the A level route myself. So I’d love to have a support thread for parents of kids taking vocational qualifications this year.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
swampwitch0 · 24/09/2025 10:36

Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 10:31

@swampwitch0

Basically, you deserve it!! Sick Edwardian lady! Seaside air! - sounds like you need to be sent to my hometown! You can build up your strength to maybe walk down the pier in a few weeks! If you can tear yourself away from the A La Poirot Murder Hunt!, of which I definitely think you need a blonde 👱‍♀️ sidekick to help you solve!! ……🤔🕵️‍♀️..

I give you “Swampblondie”!!! 🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️! 😻

🤣🤣
A dynamic duo, indeed!

Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 10:31

@swampwitch0

Basically, you deserve it!! Sick Edwardian lady! Seaside air! - sounds like you need to be sent to my hometown! You can build up your strength to maybe walk down the pier in a few weeks! If you can tear yourself away from the A La Poirot Murder Hunt!, of which I definitely think you need a blonde 👱‍♀️ sidekick to help you solve!! ……🤔🕵️‍♀️..

I give you “Swampblondie”!!! 🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️! 😻

Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 10:23

@BTECnewbie.. Ah, yes! I think you have said! Now, THAT is very cool!! Does he know what he wants to do, going forward?

@TeenToTwenties… thank you! Ok, so it looks, at least initially for @BTECnewbie, that some form of feedback / resubmission is in place in order to get at least a pass? I still don’t know a full ( or any!) Spec of his course. I think I will email DS ALS contact, and see if she can shine any light?

@BTECnewbie, how is your DS feeling about it? Does he feel he knows what is required of him? I’m not at all sure mine does.🤔

swampwitch0 · 24/09/2025 10:23

@Sisublondie
Basically, I want to be treated like a sick edwardian lady and be sent off to the seaside "for my health" (perhaps solving an interesting murder whilst there a la poirot...)
Sigh.
One can dream
...

Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 10:16

@swampwitch0

Yes! You MUST! You must make the sad 👀 eyes and demand DD1 brings back a treat!! Ummmm, you GREW her!! (🙀😹!).. and you must pop the latest murders in the building ep on! Snuggle up, keep warm, and watch it now!

Well, of course you’re going to feel a little bad he needs op, (🙄🤔💕!), but! ( this is where my DH anticipates I want to, but will resist, from trotting out my “legal speak” of .. “ You’re the author of your own misfortune”..!), it is a FACT that he needs more invasive surgery/physio because he prevaricated!! It’s not your opinion! I think I would be desperately trying to smother in my “ we both know I’m in the right here, but I’m going to be the best person and not keep reminding you of it, but you and I both know it….. “ just saying”…..!😈😹!)…

TeenToTwenties · 24/09/2025 10:16

@BTECnewbie I'm not at all clear on resubmission rules. I know you get chances to get things up to a pass, but I'm very unclear on other opportunities.

BTECnewbie · 24/09/2025 10:11

Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 10:06

Morning! Well, good DS is enjoying the course!! But. Yes, it does seem very full on, that must work out to an assignment a week, so far? Which subject is it, again? (Mine seems to differ between “Public” or “ Uniformed” Services, a lot being practical ( which I don’t know how they assess)).

It’s great that your DS is cracking on with his course, and his interest is obviously there! It is, or seems to be, wholly different to the way of learning and studying they have experience of, to date.

Is it the case that if they don’t pass the assignment the first time, they get guidance on what IS needed to do so, as you and pp, I’m sure, have mentioned? I hope this additives well for him! It does sound like a few on them are in similar positions, so that is heartening. Good luck to him!

He’s studying aviation operations as he’s plane mad.

I’m not actually sure about the feedback rules. They are definitely getting a chance to resubmit this time but not sure if this will be the case for all assignments once they’re into the swing of things. Perhaps @TeenToTwenties would know the answer to this?

OP posts:
Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 10:06

BTECnewbie · 24/09/2025 09:26

DS is still enjoying his course but it seems very full on. He’s already submitted two assignments, has one to submit later this week and another one to submit next week. He seems to be spending a lot of time on it. Far more than he did for his GCSEs. He’s had some feedback on his first assignment and has been told he needs more detail to hit the pass criteria. Seems everyone has been told the same and they’ve been given another 2 weeks to update the assignment based on the feedback. I am slightly worried about whether he’ll keep up with this but he seems happy at the moment.

Morning! Well, good DS is enjoying the course!! But. Yes, it does seem very full on, that must work out to an assignment a week, so far? Which subject is it, again? (Mine seems to differ between “Public” or “ Uniformed” Services, a lot being practical ( which I don’t know how they assess)).

It’s great that your DS is cracking on with his course, and his interest is obviously there! It is, or seems to be, wholly different to the way of learning and studying they have experience of, to date.

Is it the case that if they don’t pass the assignment the first time, they get guidance on what IS needed to do so, as you and pp, I’m sure, have mentioned? I hope this additives well for him! It does sound like a few on them are in similar positions, so that is heartening. Good luck to him!

Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 09:57

@swampwitch0… ( post froze?!).. anyway!, I hadn’t finished!

I deeply sympathise with your migraines. I’m very lucky that don’t suffer them here. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to be faced with experiencing them. Of course, it is the disruption to DD’s lives when they have them, not “ just” the pain…. I’m really sorry. And, how sad that her really lovely gesture in helping with the dress 👗 has triggered it ( and your wanting to scream! 😹). I hope she’s over it, now!

SO good that she’s enjoying her course! And, it’s brilliant about the new friends! Is she still seeing her old friend that, I think, was getting the same bus, or was in college on similar days/ free period?

Ooooohhh!! I hope 🤞 🍀 that her selection activity on Sunday goes well!! I would expect the hugest amount of stress, in the hope that anything less than that is a bonus!!

I’m happy you managed to get a Drs appointment today ( yes, good barometer there! 🙄), and I hope that it goes really well.. hopefully prescribing a little hotel stay, with room service, and sod all else to do but watch crap TV and rest!! 💕🙏🤞💕x

swampwitch0 · 24/09/2025 09:55

@Sisublondie
Thank you!
I feel bad that he needs an op, obviously, but also really annoyed he didn't sort it out sooner.
I think I might watch the latest only murders in the building episode 🤔
Thank goodness dd1 is here today so can do drop offs for dd 🙏
I am contemplating making sad eyes 👀 at dd1 to see if she'll bring me back a treat 😄😄
Sounds like ds is enjoying it @BTECnewbie?

Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 09:45

Hey @swampwitch0….oh, nooooo!! Ok, to start- that is NOT moany! And!, to be honest, with all that going on right now for you, I would be dreaming of getting in bed and pulling the duvet over my head, until it all went away!! And the fairies 🧚 fixed it all!!

Well, “ weaponised incompetence “!! 💕.. LOVE that term! ( obviously, I don’t love that it is necessary that you had to use it!!) It was DS19’s lovely GF who taught me that over the summer. I didn’t know they were at home and she overheard me muttering a loud “ oh, FFS”🤦‍♀️ rant in the boot room about laundry and DH’s crap, ( can’t even remember specifics??!) but it was just before the GCSE results, and she came in, was so lovely, concerned and, being nervous about results and having wound myself up, over utter trivia instead, I promptly burst into tears on her…. Anyway!! She calmly talked me through the “ weaponised incompetence “ of DH that had led me to such a point, (🙄😈😹!), at which point, we sniggered, bitched about her BF ( DS19!) too, and all was good!

So! My point being!, is that I think you have EVERY right to be extremely pissed off with DH! Quite clearly, had he done what you had said, many moons ago, then you wouldn’t be in this position now.. and that is infuriating. 😡😤🤯.. Has he offered any words, of anything? Be it apology, or?? Well, I guess the only positive you can glean is that at least YOU have got it done, sorted and the process is now in place. But, you have EVERY right to be fuming!

BTECnewbie · 24/09/2025 09:26

DS is still enjoying his course but it seems very full on. He’s already submitted two assignments, has one to submit later this week and another one to submit next week. He seems to be spending a lot of time on it. Far more than he did for his GCSEs. He’s had some feedback on his first assignment and has been told he needs more detail to hit the pass criteria. Seems everyone has been told the same and they’ve been given another 2 weeks to update the assignment based on the feedback. I am slightly worried about whether he’ll keep up with this but he seems happy at the moment.

OP posts:
swampwitch0 · 24/09/2025 09:24

Hi @Sisublondie
I'm sorry your wrist is still painful x
I'm going to the drs later...I must look pretty awful for dh and the dds to notice 😬
Sadly, migraines are a family curse failing. Older dd gets them, too, but not as badly as dd2.
It's her first one since her exams and was totally caused by stress about the dress.
I'm quite cross with dh tbh. I've been telling him for months to just phone the drs for a referral and then contact bupa (it's really not that hard...) but in the end I had to do it.
It infuriates me when people use weaponised incompetence 😡
So, he's left it so long, the he'll need intensive physio, too.
Grrr ☹️
Dd seems to be enjoying her course, and has made lots of new friends.
She has a potential selection activity for her hobby on Sunday so no doubt there will be last minute stress about that 🙄
Gosh, what a moany post! 😬

Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 09:21

Hey all! Sorry, still in cast, so having to tap tap away with a finger on my left hand.

Hope everyone is doing ok? Been sunny here! Hopefully with you, too.

Has anyone had an assignment due in yet? DS has his first one due in on Monday. I’m still trying to ascertain the Pass/Merit/Distinction differentials. DS is wholly resistant to assistance of any kind, so I’m feeling very nervous! And, very conscious of the fact that he is still on a “ six week probationary period”…. I’m also aware I underestimate him at times, which does lead to him getting cross with me.

Anyway! I hope you all have a happy Wednesday!

Sisublondie · 24/09/2025 09:14

@swampwitch0

Oh, bloody hell!!! What an utter nightmare! Oh, the dress thing would have driven me insane!! But, the lurgy?! That’s horrible! I’ve been at hospital/ scans with wrist so sadly been quiet on here, as can’t just whip my phone out and use my right hand like normal, I have to prod with left habd pointy finger (😳!) but the point is I did see some lurgy ridden people, and I did think, “ yep, I’ll take my wrist fracture 😼”… I’m really sorry! See, with poor DD and migraine, let alone DH and arm, are you even able to get any rest??! Because, at the risk of sounding like my mother ( oh! I said that to DS19 on the phone from Uni the other day!! I literally said, apropos walking back safely from pub ..” I don’t mean to sound like your mother”… cue pause… and then I hear “Bloody Hell, I can’t believe you said that”, just as I went “ Ah!!! Which I AM” 🙄)..anyway, yes, rest is really the only thing that can work…. Are your symptoms the horrid traditional lurgy ones? Any “symptomatic relief”, or whatever, you can take for specific symptoms? Lemsip, or Vicks?

As for DH… oooohhhhhh……. That is rubbish, I’m sorry. Just, why, why, WHY do they not listen? I’m guessing that means you will have to assume all driving duties, for the recovery (and physio) period….. 😤…

Well, is DD migraine any improved? Is she able to go to college? That must be brutal, suffering migraines, I mean. I hope she’s all better….or, at least, on the way!

DS has Wednesday off, but has chosen to go in to college to get cracking on his first assignment, due in on Monday. Between us, I am very cynical and think a little ulterior motive going on?! 🤔.. He has mentioned a few new friend names. And, because he generally had never had this before, I remember names he says… one of the Year 2’s ( they do practical work together (?!), the Year groups, I mean!) has been teamed up with him on something, and it’s a girl, and I am thinking that maybe it is because SHE is in college today….🤷‍♀️🤔.. and, he doesn’t want to say in case DH jumps in with some rubbish quip about “ girlfriend!”.. I don’t know. But, he’s gone into college, so, at least I do hope he doesn’t get cracking on his assignment!

Anyway! How are you feeling/ is it all going, today? Sending you a huge Get Well ❤️‍🩹 🤗 x

swampwitch0 · 24/09/2025 07:49

sashh · 24/09/2025 07:42

@swampwitch0 You do seem to have a full plate at the moment.

Yes.
It's a bit stressy.
Hope everyone else is doing ok?

sashh · 24/09/2025 07:42

@swampwitch0 You do seem to have a full plate at the moment.

swampwitch0 · 23/09/2025 14:02

Bloody dress done 😬
I've got some awful lurgy 😷 and now dd has a migraine
Dh has been told he needs an op on his arm in November...no driving for 2 weeks...I've been telling him for 18 months it needed looking at...now it's worse and he'll need physio too
Sigh

swampwitch0 · 22/09/2025 14:11

<deep breaths>
Dds friend coming later for a final fitting.
Dress not remotely finished
fucking hell

swampwitch0 · 21/09/2025 15:24

Sorry to hear the re marks were not as hoped @Sisublondie
I'm not sure they've even bothered with dds drama re mark.
Off for a meal later - not really in the mood tbh but at least I don't need to cook 👍

swampwitch0 · 19/09/2025 21:59

<tears hair out>

swampwitch0 · 19/09/2025 20:58

I am slowly losing the plot, I think.
Dd has promised a friend a dress for a ball.
The ball is next Saturday.
She will not accept she needs to re do part of it.
Until 24 hours before, probably, when she will have a meltdown.
I've tried to explain you can't promise something with a deadline and not deliver.
It's far too complicated a pattern and she refused to say "sorry, can't do that".
I'm furious with her tbh.
I was up til 11pm last night helping press bloody bias binding no idea

Sisublondie · 19/09/2025 20:54

Well! Eng Lang came back and the marks didn’t shift. No shocker, but would have been utterly amazing for him to not have to do 2.5 hours resit a week! ( at least, that’s Monday am, might be more! 🙀 ). He took it in his stride, tho. Still waiting for Lit ( 3 marks off) and Combined Science ( 1mark!! Even I will lose it, if that doesn’t shift!!)..

How’s everyone’s week ending up, then? Having a Good Friday Eve? 🤩

Sisublondie · 18/09/2025 23:24

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 18/09/2025 23:20

They are clearly long lost cousins…

Seems like it!! It does make you feel less alone, tho!! It’s not just me thinking 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🙀🙀🙀🤔🤔🤔🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️!!!!

Sisublondie · 18/09/2025 23:22

swampwitch0 · 18/09/2025 23:11

@Sisublondie
She seemed ok and a couple of her new friends saved her a seat 😊
I hope we don't have similar traffic woes tomorrow (I even checked the traffic before we left...argh...)
Imagine dds horror when I informed her I was at Glastonbury in '94! 😅

Ahhhhh, that’s cool that she had new friends to look out for her. Being late into class, even if just having had a doctors appointment was something I hated..🙄. Oh, absolutely, 🤞🤞🤞 that no pesky lorry or other traffic issues! ( but, in any event, 14 mikes in 2.5 is way up there in horrendous delays! Eek!!).

”Glasto” 94!!!! Oh, perfect!!! See. I wish I had that to pull out! Which I would! Not just annually! Mine is more my “all-nighters” at Cream back home… “ back in the day” which means precisely zilch to DS!…..🙄🤔🙀…