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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 - 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:
TeenToTwenties · 06/07/2026 06:10

Sisublondie · 06/07/2026 01:26

… said I’d stay up to FT DS19 in the Far East / pesky football! Bloody thing is alreadydelayed for the kick off!! Bloody thunderstorms! 🌩️

Worth staying up for? Grin

Sisublondie · 06/07/2026 01:26

… said I’d stay up to FT DS19 in the Far East / pesky football! Bloody thing is alreadydelayed for the kick off!! Bloody thunderstorms! 🌩️

Sisublondie · 06/07/2026 01:24

@Raven08.. Well, the Wedding is super city-smart, with drinks afterwards near the Thame, before a boat and posh hotel for the meal. Yep, it’s going to be hideously hot, isn’t it!?! Can hardly stash SPF into a little bag! I do like living in the back of beyond when it’s wretchedly hot! Can always find a tree to hide under! I do always spare a thought for those still doing the commute I did for a time when my law firm relocated from the city to Canary Wharf… total schlep from NW London and the tubes were satanic! So! Always could be worse!

Yes!! Dads Sayings!! Good one, Raven’s Dad!! Too true! My Dad had tons, too! One which makes me smile, which, again, I eye rolled at! .. but IS so true… “ never shop ( for food!) when you are hungry “!!

Csn she recommence counselling if she finds she wants to … Maybe it just really has been enough for her and she has worked through things…. Let’s 🙏💖🤞!

Oooooh, a date!!! Do we know who with ?! 🤷🏼‍♀️😈😹?! How has she been seeing, generally? Ready for one? Oh, I forgot hope that it is positive, in so many ways, even if it ultimately doesn’t come to anything! 🤞💖

Sisublondie · 06/07/2026 01:12

LarkspurLane · 05/07/2026 19:56

I don't think there will be a final Y1 grade. He's done enough to progress to Y2 (assuming it's auto-enrol!), then it's full steam ahead in Y2 for a final grade.

And predicted grade next year will be important for next steps, whatever on earth they will be. (I think he's thinking apprenticeship but we'll see).

More heat coming - but a lot easier when it's just me working and DS doing his own thing rather than trying to catapult him across town for 9 am four days a week.

Sorry you have having so much stress at the mo - but we are here for all forms of sounding off, whatever form it takes!

Thank you for saying that….. sometimes you feel like you don’t want to post just to “ whine”..🙄😼😹…. But, it does always make you feel better afterwards, if you do! 💖

Yes, hopefully end of Yr1 results will be indicative of potential final outcome.. I know DS is disappointed with his Merit, and feels like he should have done better… I’m not sure how the final mark is awarded..something else I need to ascertain- along with confirmation of self enrolment!

Apprenticeship sounds great, my friends’ DS has just got one- engineering- which sounds great, though a fair bit of travel, Would there be much opportunity locally?

Raven08 · 05/07/2026 20:18

Hi @Sisublondie
I'm sorry to hear you've had such a rough time...my dad always said troubles come in 3's <cue much eye rolling from younger me>...as I've got older I think I agree 😬
Dh just told me its due to be in the 30s again this week...
I could weep!
Dd seems happy to end the counselling. It did feel odd, though. She's been going for 18 months.
Older dd is going on a date next saturday!!! Not sure how I feel about it tbh after her recent heartbreak but...progress I guess?
I hope its not too awfully hot at the wedding 😵‍💫

LarkspurLane · 05/07/2026 19:56

Sisublondie · 05/07/2026 19:50

Hey! Report is really good! So, he has to wait till his exam results, to get final grade?

I don't think there will be a final Y1 grade. He's done enough to progress to Y2 (assuming it's auto-enrol!), then it's full steam ahead in Y2 for a final grade.

And predicted grade next year will be important for next steps, whatever on earth they will be. (I think he's thinking apprenticeship but we'll see).

More heat coming - but a lot easier when it's just me working and DS doing his own thing rather than trying to catapult him across town for 9 am four days a week.

Sorry you have having so much stress at the mo - but we are here for all forms of sounding off, whatever form it takes!

Sisublondie · 05/07/2026 19:50

LarkspurLane · 02/07/2026 09:29

Congrats to DD - what a lovely end to the term!

We don't get Y1 results until A Level results day as DS did external exams. I'm not sure he gets an overall grade for the year - his report put him on track for his aspirational grade - but I think the exams will take a chunk out of that and I don't think that is formalized at this point.

Not sure if he's auto enrolled in Y2, I'm assuming so - I guess I'll find out at the end of August.

Hey! Report is really good! So, he has to wait till his exam results, to get final grade?

Sisublondie · 05/07/2026 19:49

Raven08 · 02/07/2026 09:39

@LarkspurLane
Thank you 😊
Hmmm...I just assumed dd would be auto enrolled into y2...I'll ask her!

Me, too!!!!! Need to check!!!! 🙏🙏🙏

Sisublondie · 05/07/2026 19:48

@Raven08… Whoo- Hoo!!!! ( still tickles me!!!).. A-MAY-ZING news on the Distinction!!!! 🌟🌟🌟!! Very well deserved!!! And, excellent on the driving lesson! It’s so good that the first one went well, I should imagine her confidence would have been knocked had it not!
Just asked DS… he seems to think he’s def got his Yr 1 final result….. but, then, he didn’t move his eyes off his screen, so I could well have asked him if he wanted me to barbecue a rat for supper and probably got the same response!! 😈🙀. Mind you, I think the English resit result is sufficient to dread!
How did her counselling go? Does she feel like she’s happy to end at this point? DS decided himself when to finish…. he has an open appointment, so he can restart I think. I hope she’s found it really helpful.. 🤞
Well done in deciding on the Uni!!!! Yay! 🤞 🍀! She’s well on the way with her distinction! Is it a course related to her BTEC?
I hope older DD having a fab weekend!!
I’m sorry your Mum isn’t feeling up to going out much now. It’s hard to take. Does she feel up to going out with you? Or, is it a general reluctance? I’m sorry…
Well, hopefully you’ve had some heat respite! I think it’s coming back. I have Wedding Round 1 next Saturday… temp forecast 32! GRIM!!!!! Dahn Sarf, too! So that’ll be fun travelling in a 👗!
I’ve felt a bit meh since my dental op … just noticed my jaw bone is bruised black!! 🙄.. that’ll be the reason, I thought my glands were swollen!
I’m with you! Don’t want the heat back! Unless a pool can be arranged………🤷🏼‍♀️ 🏊 😻

Sisublondie · 04/07/2026 09:54

Morning all! I’m so so for bring quiet, been a rubbish-y few days! ( not limited to : having 🦷 surgery ( ouchie!), work crap, mother-going-missing-welfare-check-but-was-ok-misunderstanding (🤯😹!), DH losing DS’s passport -whilst-doing-driving-licence-stuff-drama-as-going-to-my-cousins-Wedding-abroad-this month…….. and, anyway!!! So! I’m just going to sort something out and catch up!!!!! X

Raven08 · 02/07/2026 13:45

I think the last time dds was updated was November 😬

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 02/07/2026 13:40

Raven08 · 02/07/2026 13:37

Don't get me started on the bloody VLE 😬😡

I have found ours most intriguing but not awfully useful.

The attendance register has become one of my favourite works of fiction and appears to operate outside the normal laws of physics.

Raven08 · 02/07/2026 13:37

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 02/07/2026 13:17

We got sent enrolment forms for Y2 last week, so worth checking there isn't one as not all courses are auto-progression.

Not sure when final grade comes out - think maybe A level day, but the college tracker gives indication of expected final grade. Assuming it is more accurate than any other part of the VLE. 😬

Don't get me started on the bloody VLE 😬😡

Raven08 · 02/07/2026 13:37

Ha!
Just asked dd about 2nd year enrolment and apparently she filled the forms in back in April! 🙄😊

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 02/07/2026 13:17

We got sent enrolment forms for Y2 last week, so worth checking there isn't one as not all courses are auto-progression.

Not sure when final grade comes out - think maybe A level day, but the college tracker gives indication of expected final grade. Assuming it is more accurate than any other part of the VLE. 😬

Raven08 · 02/07/2026 09:39

@LarkspurLane
Thank you 😊
Hmmm...I just assumed dd would be auto enrolled into y2...I'll ask her!

LarkspurLane · 02/07/2026 09:29

Raven08 · 02/07/2026 08:23

Morning all
Dd got 5 x distinctions for her last project 😃
I'm very pleased for her, she worked very hard.
She said her 1st driving lesson went well, too.
Apparently she'll get her final year 1 grade on gcse results day (20/8) ? Is the same for all btecs?

Congrats to DD - what a lovely end to the term!

We don't get Y1 results until A Level results day as DS did external exams. I'm not sure he gets an overall grade for the year - his report put him on track for his aspirational grade - but I think the exams will take a chunk out of that and I don't think that is formalized at this point.

Not sure if he's auto enrolled in Y2, I'm assuming so - I guess I'll find out at the end of August.

Raven08 · 02/07/2026 08:23

Morning all
Dd got 5 x distinctions for her last project 😃
I'm very pleased for her, she worked very hard.
She said her 1st driving lesson went well, too.
Apparently she'll get her final year 1 grade on gcse results day (20/8) ? Is the same for all btecs?

Raven08 · 28/06/2026 14:52

@Sisublondie
We plod on 🙂
Dd has her last counselling appointment tomorrow which feels very odd. First driving lesson this week too 😬
I think the uni open day we attended yesterday is definitely the one for her so 🤞
Mum is much the same, and doesn't really leave the flat anymore 😕
Older dd is away seeing friends this weekend.
I'm just trying to recover from the heat this week...it makes me feel very unwell 😵‍💫
Hope everyone else is coping ok x

Sisublondie · 28/06/2026 14:23

TeenToTwenties · 27/06/2026 07:24

I tended to find that if I looked at the actual spec for the unit it made understanding what was required clearer.

Well, yes, good point!, I just don’t have it! There are a couple of different prospectus’ online, and DS has never been sure which it is “ but, it doesn’t matter, as I do all my work set, and am fully up to date… and I ask “ Bob “ ( the lead lecturer if I’m not sure . etc…”… 🙄..

Sisublondie · 28/06/2026 14:19

Raven08 · 27/06/2026 08:15

Sounds tough @Blahblahblahhhhhs
Glad she's going to finish the course, I'm a great believer in bribery 😃

How’s it going with you?! Dds?! Mum?! 😈😽x

Sisublondie · 28/06/2026 14:18

Blahblahblahhhhhs · 27/06/2026 07:51

Oh well I have just found this thread and hopefully daughter is nearly done…

it has been a struggle over the last two year getting her up for college / her attitude in general is poor / she started off liking college but by Christmas in first year had changed her mind and I thought we were nearly done….

Tuesday she announced she wasn’t going to uni and therefore she wouldn’t be doing her level 3 as no point.

(don’t mind either way about uni that’s up to her , but she had just about finished college so I thought!)

after an almighty fall out and wobble , I contacted her tutor who said she only has left to do two assignments and 20 hours work placement to finish her level 3🙄

sadly it seems that they will be capped at a pass as were ment to be in the day before (probably the reason for the wobbly and everyone being hot and bothered didn’t help) but she had completed the others previous up to a* so hopefully they will use an average.

in a way husband saved the day by bribing her with £100 to complete the two assignments and get them handed in and go talk to tutor about the 20 hours work experience.

as of this moment all assignments are completed, and she’s rang and emailed a pre approved placement (so she can start asap 🤞) for her 20 hours she plans to do it in one week .

honestly to be 18 and think it’s a good idea to throw away two years work for the sake of two assignments and 20 placement hours!!!

uni probably isn’t the best place for her right now anyway, and I can understand her wanting to take a breather.

she also works a good chunk of the week at a busy pub , and I don’t think it’s been very good in helping her sleep (she’s wanting to be up to all hours and sleep late)

honestly this week has been exhausting in more ways than one!

Welcome!!!!!

Wow! Sounds like you have had a trying time, recently! Excellent work on the “ incentive”…. I approve! It definitely sounds as if she has had a vote of no confidence in herself and mentally gave up… and, almost finished, as well!! How fab that she has completed it. And, as for the Uni part…. Well….. a year out to reassess is a good thing, and if she still is adamant, then, do be it, she will still have her Level 3, which is excellent!

High Five yourself fur pulling it all together! 🌟

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 28/06/2026 14:15

@LarkspurLane welcome and well done to your DH. I resort to bribery on a very regular basis so I get his response. And generally paying a reluctant teen £100 is a lot cheaper than arguing with them and the lost opportunity cost.

One of my siblings dropped out of uni just before finals because terrified they would fail. They'd have got a 2:1. But went to uni at 16 and was just overwhelmed and undiagnosed ADHD. If it was DD, I'd have just moved to uni town and supervised and walked her into the exams if necessary. It had major repercussions for years that sibling didn't get that degree certificate.

Mine has also decided no uni - can't face more years of tedious evaluations and analysis in exchange for £100k of debt. To be honest I'm pleased as they are very unsuited to academia and have other plans.

Hope everyone is enjoying the slightly more British summer today

Sisublondie · 28/06/2026 14:13

How odd! My posts from yesterday not uploaded! I’ll re- go! I hope everyone is enjoying some breezy weather today?! 🌟🌟🌟

LarkspurLane · 27/06/2026 11:16

Blahblahblahhhhhs · 27/06/2026 07:51

Oh well I have just found this thread and hopefully daughter is nearly done…

it has been a struggle over the last two year getting her up for college / her attitude in general is poor / she started off liking college but by Christmas in first year had changed her mind and I thought we were nearly done….

Tuesday she announced she wasn’t going to uni and therefore she wouldn’t be doing her level 3 as no point.

(don’t mind either way about uni that’s up to her , but she had just about finished college so I thought!)

after an almighty fall out and wobble , I contacted her tutor who said she only has left to do two assignments and 20 hours work placement to finish her level 3🙄

sadly it seems that they will be capped at a pass as were ment to be in the day before (probably the reason for the wobbly and everyone being hot and bothered didn’t help) but she had completed the others previous up to a* so hopefully they will use an average.

in a way husband saved the day by bribing her with £100 to complete the two assignments and get them handed in and go talk to tutor about the 20 hours work experience.

as of this moment all assignments are completed, and she’s rang and emailed a pre approved placement (so she can start asap 🤞) for her 20 hours she plans to do it in one week .

honestly to be 18 and think it’s a good idea to throw away two years work for the sake of two assignments and 20 placement hours!!!

uni probably isn’t the best place for her right now anyway, and I can understand her wanting to take a breather.

she also works a good chunk of the week at a busy pub , and I don’t think it’s been very good in helping her sleep (she’s wanting to be up to all hours and sleep late)

honestly this week has been exhausting in more ways than one!

Welcome to the thread!
That all sounds so stressful and I'm so glad that bribery saved the day - sometimes I think they find it hard to see that something that is difficult now will be worth doing for the future.
I also think that many kids need a lot of parental support to get them over the line, even at 18/19 years old - not everyone will choose right and just get on with it.
Lovely that she has a part time job, a year out might well be a good plan. Earn a bit of cash and then decide what to do next.