BTEC/T level/other vocational 25/26

Oh god, I really think group projects need to be restructured so they don't penalise students that put the work in. It's so unfair.

She had an amazing time (so did I 😂) and seems to have managed not to descend into post-fun blues which is a relief. It's a lot more hard work and exhausting than you would ever imagine from the outside, very early starts and long days but a lovely crew/cast/director and she learned a huge amount from it. Hopefully she'll come across well in the final cut... but we have a very long wait for that!

The assignments are insane. A mix of deeply dull 'busy' work that is very box ticky and long winded, and then some that are very complicated and thinky. I would prefer her to have more of the latter and less of the former.

I can see a conversation with their SEN team in the near future. DD is fine if things are chunked, properly explained about 10 times (the first 5 go in one ear and out the other) and a clear mark scheme, list of criteria and preferably some sample answers provided so you can see quantity and quality that is expected for Pass/Merit/Fail.

I fear we are in a school type situation where they haven't yet realised that she has no clue how to ask for help, is likely to say she understands when she doesn't and comes across as clued up and clever which means teachers naturally assume everything is great... until they suddenly realise we actually have a big problem.

My attempts to extract documentation from school's SEND in order to help the college understand have been a total failure so they don't even have that. I am just praying that they're easier to deal with and have a few more resources/time to help her.

I'll be thinking of you both tomorrow @Sisublondie x
Dds PC is ok, it was the monitor (phew)
So we got a better one in the black friday sales
I'm proud of her for speaking up - even though the teacher said she has to stay in the group 🙄 so she spent friday evening delegating all the jobs, which seems to have worked 😊
My back is not great, but I'm keeping moving and chugging paracetamol.
Any of you had dcs gcse certificates yet?

Wow! Hope the filming went well! And, good luck finishing the assignments.. 🤞.

Thank you…. Had MRI brain scan yesterday, Bone scan first thing tomorrow….. 😼💕…x

@swampwitch0

Is her PC mended, yet?! That sounded pretty nightmarish!
How is her group work going, now? A case of other group members not pulling their weight must be utterly infuriating !! ( I spoke to DS19 yesterday, he was paired with a classmate who apparently did sod all work for a joint presentation… DS19 did all the PowerPoint etc etc.. literally all the prep, research, citations, etc he got 68% and was furious as feels if his study partner hadn’t been hungover and dodging his calls all the time, he’d have got a First for that assignment ..🤷‍♀️😤)! Anyway!

… so, HOW amazing that she has spoken up and asked to be moved?! 🌟Having the courage to do so truly is progress, indeed! How are things going in this regard? 🤞 hopefully well!

I hope your physio is working ….. how is it feeling at the moment? And is DH fully recovered from his op? And, older DD?, how are things going for her?

Yes, I think it’s been a case of missing his Big Bro! ( or, perhaps, missing my “ later than his Dad will agree to” M-Uber Pick Ups from college town, as my car is still poorly! 😈🙄🤷‍♀️🙄😹!)…

But, indeed!! Almost 🎄🎁💕🎄🌟!!

Sorry to hear about your mum @Sisublondie 💙
Hope she feels better soon x

Hey all, sorry been quiet. Back up North at the hospital with Mum, never on my own to catch up.

The Maths and Eng Thing! Yes. DS’s college does it, and it has what I guess they consider a “ catchy phrase” for it! ( I SO cannot remember! I’ll find out when I go home)! I found out about it on sign up day, students were given a slip to go round the hall and sign up, so I saw that. My DS thankfully passed Maths (4), was only 9 off a 4, so has to retake English ( classes of which he thankfully does not whine about!, miracle, I was fully expecting full- on moaning… nope! Little things).. One lecturer told me ALL students are expected to study English and Maths, even if have a 4 upwards. I hadn’t heard about further qualification in Core Maths, tho. I can see why your DC would be disappointed to not receive a further qualification for attending extra classes!

No maths or English at my daughters college for anyone who got 4 or above.

No Maths or English here as far as I can see.

There are some writing bits for assignments which I suspect tick an English box, but maths... hmm. Maybe in music industry if they teach them about royalties and split sheets but that's basically it.

Assignment deadlines coming up fast, so DD playing catch up all weekend after being away filming for last couple of weeks. Hopefully she's done what's needed as music is really NOT my thing. I wouldn't even be hired to play the triangle...

I have been giving her a hand with things like laying it out nicely... same font, making sure titles are same size, checking spelling and grammar and helping correct some very clunky sentences etc. Basically a walking, talking spell check programme.

Sadly no qualification at the end of it as far as I know, he said it was for Ofsted but it seems kind of pointless. On their website it says that students continue to "develop skills in maths and english". It's a shame as DD would love to be doing core maths or some other qualification (actually Maths A level was top of her list if she had not gone for the vocational route). Sigh, I suppose she will just have to put up with it.

DS is doing core maths as part of his course, it's separate class he has to attend. Anyone who got a 4 in maths is doing this, the others are retaking GCSE. He will sit an exam in core maths in May and it's a useful thing to have.

Is your DD getting a qualification out of it or is it just to tick a box?

Never heard of that tbh

@OWCAAgentP I mentioned that DD had been finding the once a week compulsory maths lessons boring (she did very well at GCSE so not the resit class) and he said it is a government requirement to continue to teach English and Maths so they do it just to check the box but they try to get through it as quick as possible so they can get back to doing the course. Do other colleges do this?

As far as I am aware maths and English are only mandatory at college for those who don't yet have their level 2. This link seems to agree 2025 to 2026 academic year: 16 to 19 funding: maths and English condition of funding - GOV.UK
I know there was talk about making maths mandatory post 16 for all, but i don't remember it coming in - after all there aren't enough maths teachers as it is ...

Unless you aren't in England as other areas may have different rules?

Will be interested too to hear if other colleges are doing this.

Really pleased for you @TeenToTwenties :)

We had DD's parents evening online last night and the teacher was very positive. Said she is doing really well and working at a high level (no grades yet as the way the course works they don't get a grade until the final project in each year).

I mentioned that DD had been finding the once a week compulsory maths lessons boring (she did very well at GCSE so not the resit class) and he said it is a government requirement to continue to teach English and Maths so they do it just to check the box but they try to get through it as quick as possible so they can get back to doing the course. Do other colleges do this?

@Sisublondie
No idea...it just won't work 😬
Had physio today, so it's a bit sore 😩
Dd seems ok...it's a lot of work and she's not enjoying the group work 😕
But, she has started to speak up wrt group partners and is going to ask to be moved (usual stuff...dd is the only one doing anything..)
It's progress..she absolutely would not have spoken up even 6 months ago
Sorry to hear about ds...perhaps he is missing his brother, as you say?
Almost 🎄🎁😀💙

What EXCELLENT NEWS!! Oh, congratulations!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟! Oh, I truly hope that the paperwork is getting done and dusted… what an amazing relief that will be!! 😸

Ooooohhhhh nooooooooo!!! What the hell happened?! That is a serious drama…..🙄🙀!

And, how are you?? How is your shoulder doing? Physio helping? I so hope it’s even a tad better…… 🤞 🙏💕x..

Yes, a month today!! 🎄 🌟😻

Helllllloooooo, how are we all?! I’ve been busy on nursing duty ooop north ( with even crapper WiFi than I have at home!), and back home for a few days before I head back up at the weekend.

DS is now into his third week of being really “off” with me. I don’t know whether it’s because I’m not doing almost nightly late pick ups from his college town, and a- he’s having to get his home or b- he’s having problems and won’t talk about them, or c- almost anything else! I know he perks up when I mention his bro calling from Uni, so maybe he’s really missing him.. I don’t know! He briefly barked out that he’d finished his outstanding assignments, and had previously mentioned he has two college visits on Thursday/ Friday this week to course related venues, but at the moment I’m too scared to even bright and breezily go “ Hey! So! Are you all excited for……”?! 🤷‍♀️..

Anywsy! I’m just going to play catch up, and see how everyone is…….! 😸

Hi 👋
Dds pc has broken 😢🙄
Other than that she seems ok...not long to go until christmas 🎄break!

DD has hopefully got a placement for her Supported Internship, apparently the paperwork is being done, but I won't fully believe it until I see it.

Hope everyone is ok? Just bumping the thread as it slipped right down my list.
Seem to be in a rhythm and a routine.
Only attending four days means no one is as hanging tired as we were (me certainly!) during the school years. Still, not keen on this term with its cold and darkness and not really much in the way of Christmas cheer/nativity plays to look forward to.
Just over three weeks to go!

Hi @Sisublondie
Cackling away at "Amish way of life"! 🤣🤣
A car got submerged here in the flood waters!
Hoping they've reduced by Thursday 😬
My shoulder is very sore and I'm fed up of it ☹️ I'm a very poor patient
I think my comment about Spring was both my honest view and a desperate plea to the universe! 🙏
Dd has had a busy social weekend which isn't always great tbh...lots of social anxiety ☹️
Dh can drive again now, so hoping I can chill out a bit this week
Hope you have a good week x

@swampwitch0…. Yay!! You survived the storm, too! Bloody nasty, wasn’t?! We had power cut- was down all over round here- trees and power lines down… DS was desperate to escape the Amish life, so I took him to the town where his college is to a friends this morning, my beloved car sadly starting dying again on the way…..🤯!

How did your taxi duty go?? I hope you got some opportunity to get some rest for your shoulder, tho 🤞 .. how is it feeling? And, how are you feeling, generally? Hopefully a little perkier, despite the biblical storm hell! Were you flooded?! Roads were hideous, too, weren’t they?! Snowy frost on the horizon…….?!🤷‍♀️🙀?! ..

Your final sentence ..” it’ll pick up in the spring”….. made me smile….! Moreso as, was it a factual statement?! Or, just a begging, desperate plea?! 🤗

I totally get you about drama review!! I’d be cross, too, but, thankfully DD isn’t, otherwise……..🙀.. I’m still gutted DS Combined science didn’t increase by bloody one mark to get 4. Fuming! Oh well!

I hope DD is ok for the week ahead. DS has classes on Monday and Tuesday cancelled for staff absence again!

Get good rest for the