Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Further education

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

BTEC/T level/other vocational 25/26 - part 2

442 replies

BTECnewbie · 03/02/2026 07:57

New thread for those of us with DC doing vocational courses (and for those with DC looking for an alternative to A levels next year and looking for advice).

My DC is currently doing a level 3 extended diploma. He struggled academically at school and was pretty miserable in year 11. With a lot of hard work he got the grades needed for the level 3 BTEC and is now thriving at college.

OP posts:
LarkspurLane · 18/08/2026 10:04

Hopeforb · 18/08/2026 07:07

Hi thanks. DC passed foundation Maths with grade 4, so thought its good idea to go for higher tier and in Science DC achieved grade 3,2. With all those 7 subjects in GCSE it was overwhelming for DC, now DC can spend more time on those two subjects especially Maths.
Hope your son is doing well.

Hello.
What about Core maths (Maths in Context)? It's Level 3 rather than Level 2 so seems like an advance in study. Very useful to have in the bag as extra maths related content. It's nothing like as hard as a maths A Level and although they recommend a GCSE 5 minimum to do it, I am sure it's more accessible than Higher GCSE maths.
My DC just completed it as part of his IT BTEC.

Might be possible to do online at home if your DC is motivated?

Hopeforb · 18/08/2026 07:07

Sisublondie · 18/08/2026 00:19

@Hopeforb

Welcome!! Of course it’s ok!
Very well done on your DC’s achievements! (My son is ASD/ADHD, too). I am sorry that they are not having success presently in their apprenticeship applications. I’m a little confused, I’m sorry, do you mean for them to study for Higher Maths and Science GCSE whilst they wait? I’m guessing perhaps they didn’t pass these first time round?

Hi thanks. DC passed foundation Maths with grade 4, so thought its good idea to go for higher tier and in Science DC achieved grade 3,2. With all those 7 subjects in GCSE it was overwhelming for DC, now DC can spend more time on those two subjects especially Maths.
Hope your son is doing well.

Sisublondie · 18/08/2026 00:19

@Hopeforb

Welcome!! Of course it’s ok!
Very well done on your DC’s achievements! (My son is ASD/ADHD, too). I am sorry that they are not having success presently in their apprenticeship applications. I’m a little confused, I’m sorry, do you mean for them to study for Higher Maths and Science GCSE whilst they wait? I’m guessing perhaps they didn’t pass these first time round?

Sisublondie · 18/08/2026 00:14

@OhCrumbsWhereNow…. 😹😹😹.. I think the darkened room may come tomorrow… when I ache so much I can’t get up! I only made the effort as it was outside and breezy! Feels so long since we felt that! Tho, you may well be on holiday somewhere hot, so I hope you have lots of sea air, if you do! I grew up next to sea, and it was excellent at the Polish wedding, the beach was perfect!

Thank you for the kind words for DS! It’s just a veritable wait and see for Thursday! I’m kind of upset that he is going to get his results with his girlfriend. His college is in the town where she live, and I do understand, but, anyway, I won’t care if he has got the perfect pass!

Excellent news re your DD! SO well done!!!👏.. And, her bestie staying is very good for them both! Yep, my Woodpecker and dressing up for the local roller disco at the YMCA for the teens of today! Sadly!

I hope you have a fabulous rest of trip! 💖

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 17/08/2026 22:13

Good grief - a fitness class after that trip/trips! I'd need a week in a darkened room to recover! Hope you had an amazing time!

Fingers crossed for Thursday for the English and big congrats to your DS on the merit.

DD got the D* she was hoping for and the subsidiary diploma in the bag, so if things go awry this year due to other stuff she's doing then not end of the world as she has the UCAS points should she ever need them in the future.

Feels like AGES since end of term. Currently away and have DD's bestie staying for a few weeks which is lovely as I can stop feeling only-child guilt and they entertain each other. Although remember my baby sister and her bestie at the same age, teens today don't seem to be nearly so interested in illicit cans of cider or terrorising the local talent!

Hopeforb · 17/08/2026 22:07

Sorry, I am new to this thread. Hope its ok to post. My DC is on mild ASD and completed BTec Level 3 national diploma in IT with 2A levels with bit of a struggle and also did EPQ with grade A equivalent to 0.5 A level. DC is applying for apprenticeships with no success in TFL and IT. Working in supermarket part time. Until DC gets apprenticeship what course can be done? I don't want DC to sit at home with social media. Any suggestions welcome. May be higher tier GCSE Maths and Science?

Sisublondie · 17/08/2026 17:59

Hey wonderful people ! I am finally back from being away in Eastern Europe and all over for 5 (6?😹🙄?) Wedding events, I have dropped balls all over and my house
has only seen me fleetingly as I pop back from one flight for a day and back to the airport, and I am SO happy to be back to catch up!!!!! ( not do much the personal admin and laundry!!) 🧺

@Raven08.. OMG!!! Congratulations to your DD ( and you!!) .. that is truly amazing news!! Oh, I’m SO happy for you!! I’m sorry to hear older DD still feeling blue….. any change?! 💖

@LarkspurLane… hey! Great all set for September! How did it all go?!

@Midnightstar76.. Hi! That is excellent news .. being happy is key, that’s really the most important thing in the world… Fab!

Well, I’m super proud as DS got a Merit for his first year!! ( he was privately gutted he didn’t get a distinction as he’d got a couple throughout the year), and it’s now Deja Vu countdown to Thursday…. ( English Resit.. SO close last year!!.. ((and my birthday! ).. so, if he gets that in the bag I can hopefully really sleep throughout the night!!

Well, I’m off into a field for my “ fitness class” I have been missing! Let’s see how much damage I have done being force fed at Weddings!! 🙄🙀😹!

Hope everyone has been having lovely holidays despite the bloody heinous heat!!!! x

Raven08 · 16/08/2026 14:14

@Midnightstar76
Wonderful!
Dd has friends doing hairdressing and they love it! She'll never be out of work 😀
And how great she organised this herself!

Midnightstar76 · 16/08/2026 12:28

@Raven08 Well done to your DD and everyone else getting results in. Just a catch up and is it ok to share apprenticeship progress. Ok so DD did Level 2 health and Social Care course at college. When she started it she really didn’t know what she wanted to do and who really does at 16. It was a course amongst the few at college she was most interested in. She had to find work experience placement for herself during this year which luckily she was able to at a local primary school. She achieved a Distinction for the level 2. Then she went onto Level 3 Health and Social Care. She was doing ok was on a PM result for progress. She did a work experience placement in a care home and had more help from the college to get the placement. Then went back to the school to do her second placement needed there. The care home experience made her realise this was not for her. She does not want to go into nursing, social work etc etc and was finding the course hard and had no confidence that she would do well in the second year as moving on to more science stuff biology etc. Towards the end of year one in June she had been really upset and worried about telling me that it was not for her. Ok so she has been working in a hairdressers for over a year as a Saturday girl. DD Came to me and said mum I really want to do hairdressing I love it. She did this all herself and asked her boss if she would take her on as an apprentice. The boss said yes and I am absolutely delighted for her. She is just so happy. She has been working a lot more hours virtually full time now and officially starts the apprenticeship in October for Level 2. Really what I am saying is they forge their own path. She is saving, making her own money and taking driving lessons. She is shattered when she finishes work but it is what she want’s to do and with 100 % backing from me and her dad. Will keep you updated but I am so proud of her. I think I have posted this before so sorry if you are reading it twice.

Raven08 · 15/08/2026 21:47

Dd got certificates through the post today for year 1...
Distinction!
😀

Raven08 · 12/08/2026 07:56

Very best of luck to those dc getting level 3 results tomorrow 🍀
Dd has to go in next week to do admin stuff, get new ID etc.
We had a lovely holiday, but older dd still very low due to the breakup. Sigh.

LarkspurLane · 11/08/2026 14:25

Hi all
I'm popping back as it's "results" week this week, DS fully intending to use his partial results to get himself a free pizza at Zizzi's.
We've had the fees through for Year 2, £45 I think, so it seems he is enrolled and all set for September.
As always, the summer started quite slowly and is now in full gallop.
Hope everyone ok?

Raven08 · 22/07/2026 10:27

Hope everyone is having a good summer?
Dd got an email yesterday from collefe, she needs to go in on results day to sort out bew lanyard/is card etc but she did pre enroll so doesn't need to do that.

Raven08 · 10/07/2026 23:25

My dh is insisting on calling it my "Serenity pool"!!🙄🤔🤣

Sisublondie · 10/07/2026 23:00

Raven08 · 10/07/2026 22:49

@Sisublondie
Ah, you may be close to us...yes, it's utterly grim 😬
Don't laugh..I.went and bought a paddling pool today! 🤣
I intend to wallow in it tomorrow whilst drinking wine 🍷
Good news ds1 is home safe, hope the wedding goes well 🙏

Oooooh, how funny! Imagine running into each other!! But! Not knowing! Actually, that happened years ago! I ended up making real life friends on holiday with someone I’d been talking to for years in an online medical group! That was SO small world weird!! Buxton not too far….. it’s a bit touristy here where I live at the moment, too……🙄😹! Bloody TikTok…….😡

Oh, I’m not laughing!!! My cousin in Cardiff bought one for his daughter and I am green with jealousy!!!! As I am with you!! Oh, tomorrow, to be lounging in a pool (🏊! 🌊! 🏖️!) with icy cold wine 🍷 is my ultimate dream!! It’s funny, you normally fear rain for summer wedding!! I think part of the plans were lovely walk to drinks along the Thames at some point……🤯🌞🤯!

DS19 got a couple of suits made over there…. Oooooh!!!!! SO handsome!!! Still looking not good on GF front, tho, but……….. he seems positive so that’s all that matters!

Enjoy every living second of your spa pool!!!!!!!!🏊 💖😹💖! x

Raven08 · 10/07/2026 22:49

@Sisublondie
Ah, you may be close to us...yes, it's utterly grim 😬
Don't laugh..I.went and bought a paddling pool today! 🤣
I intend to wallow in it tomorrow whilst drinking wine 🍷
Good news ds1 is home safe, hope the wedding goes well 🙏

Sisublondie · 10/07/2026 22:31

So!! DS19 returned from the Far East yesterday! Got to bed at 3.30sm after chatting….. Now packing to go down south for in laws Wedding in the morning!

Not good about Arthur!! 🙄😾

Thanks @OhCrumbsWhereNow for tips!! I’ll def investigate that method!! My friend has just started a new job as AI delivery person! I had zero idea when she was describing her duties to me last night!!

Well! It’s been bloody boiling today! Derbyshire was apparently hottest .. when I walked into my kitchen to unnecessarily being told on the news! Going to be a hit hit Wedding too! Nooooooo… !!

Guessing @Raven08.. you’re not having a hoot, either?!

How are we all?! 💖🌟

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 09/07/2026 09:28

For those struggling to work out what the heck their kid's course actually want, I have found ChatGPT can be quite useful in turning things into something comprehensible and finding out what the examining board actually says.

I remember with L2 BTEC, three of us ended up with a WhatsApp group just trying to work out what the briefs actually required in terms of what the question was, how much detail was needed and what format. Once we'd translated it was quite straightforward but getting to that stage was nuts.

Raven08 · 08/07/2026 18:18

Well done Arthur 👏

LarkspurLane · 08/07/2026 18:15

Sisublondie · 08/07/2026 18:01

Whoo- Hooooooo! Semi- Final! 🌟🍀

Terrific performance today, he looks so confident!

Sisublondie · 08/07/2026 18:01

TeenToTwenties · 08/07/2026 00:23

No. But I did enjoy the Arthur Fery tennis.

Whoo- Hooooooo! Semi- Final! 🌟🍀

Sisublondie · 08/07/2026 00:25

TeenToTwenties · 08/07/2026 00:23

No. But I did enjoy the Arthur Fery tennis.

🌟… yes!! Been good- for a change!

TeenToTwenties · 08/07/2026 00:23

Sisublondie · 08/07/2026 00:07

Did you?!?

No. But I did enjoy the Arthur Fery tennis.

Sisublondie · 08/07/2026 00:07

TeenToTwenties · 06/07/2026 06:10

Worth staying up for? Grin

Did you?!?

Sisublondie · 08/07/2026 00:07

TeenToTwenties · 06/07/2026 06:10

Worth staying up for? Grin

YES!!!!!!! Tho!!! I was woken at 9am ish by the Police calling me about an incident that I’d reported in the village the day before!! So, I had to style it out, that I’d not only got to bed at 5!!!!!😹😹😹😹