BTECs starting 2015 - General support thread

Of the 2 courses dd seems to be most interested in the extended Graphic Design BTEC. I have checked a few uni websites and it should meet the requirements for a degree (should she wish/be good enough to take one).
I don't think the single BTEC plus A levels has any advantage over 3 A levels other than less exams. It looks though that predicted GCSE grades with work experience would be good enough for a TA course at a later date if the A level route doesn't work out (or if she doesn't achieve high enough grades for teaching degree) so that's a back-up plan sorted.
My main concern about the child-care is whether 0-5 is the best age group for her to work with. She likes children, but am unsure whether she would like working with babies.

An extended diploma is the equivalent to 3 A levels so it is enough for university. There are a some courses that want an A level with along with but don't think that is the norm

dd isn't sure about whether to apply for uni. Both colleges would have info about apprenticeships or employment alternatives.
No college or sixth form locally offers double BTEC it's either triple (extended) or single (subsidiary diploma). There is some overlap in that IT has a Graphics unit whereas the extended BTEC may not be (from what I can see) enough UCAS points for uni entry on it's own.
She may consider a degree in Early years education for which Child-care level 3 would meet the requirements. Would also consider becoming a TA.
She may also consider a career in Graphic design (is a degree essential for this) but given that she can also design websites the latter may be a better career option.

If she is looking at going to university the advice is to work backwards as in find some courses and check what the entry requirements are.

Also have a look at the higher apprenticeships to again see what the requirements are.

At sixth form college she would take BTEC IT, Health and social care applied A level and Graphics A level. This would mean that careers in both areas would still be an option post-18. (The BTEC is equivalent to 1 A level).
Whereas in FE college she can only choose one option.

My DS only wanted to do the extended diploma so no considering involved.

Not sure if it makes a difference but which A levels is she looking at and are they the same whether she does graphic design or childcare?

Apologies for the slight digression from main thread but have had no success asking on Y11 thread.
Y11 dd is trying to decide between full time (extended) BTEC courses at FE college in Graphic Design and child-care (has interview for both in next few weeks) and a mixed A level/BTEC route at sixth form college. It is not possible to take an A level at the FE college. Was wondering what factors your dcs took into account last year?

Thanks, has a bit of sleep and feel better. I do find it very tough coping with sick parent and usual teen stuff at same time.

Gaslight I have similar worries about the Maths resit. Rest of work is too full on for her to really have time to do any extra maths.

Sugar

English GCSE is stressing me out. DS missed another lesson (DH said he looked like death warmed up) on top of the teacher not being there last week. To him it's nothing.

HSMMaCM My DS doesn't like on of the teachers but thankfully it's only one unit. I could tell there was an issue when I read his report!

Sugar

And he flicked through it and said 'that looks pretty ok actually' so there is hope

Well what do you know, after all the high drama coming through my phone it is in, on time, just !!! Please let her pass, it's 2 units.

I don't think DD will want to, she skimmed over that bit. I'll ask her when things calmer. She's currently freaking out as she'd done the last bit for the project due in this afternoon after me explaining what they are looking for in the evaluation. Then apparently the computer went wrong and took an hour to ge going about so she was freaking out she will miss this afternoon's deadline and is going to fail.

It's gone very quiet her end so don't know what is happening. It has been an incredibly difficult week here and I think I'm getting to the stage where I'm a big numb with it all really. It is just one crisis after another, I'm taking half term off to try and recover.

Good point T&T. Get her name on the list and then see whether she needs to take it up. There will always be someone else waiting.

Sugar DD's school counsellor was great. If she needs to see her, they can be really helpful. She is almost certainly dropping one subject and it seems to be entirely due to the tutor which is a real shame. I've tried to get her to concentrate on the work, rather than the tutor, but she can't seem to do it.

And it is looking good for extra time for Maths resit. Also have had nightmare with my Mother's health again so contacted college to let them know, explaining pre Christmas episode with her as well plus FlL having died in September. It read a bit like an Eastenders episode but depressingly is true. They have suggested she might want to see the counsellor and are making sure all tutors aware.

I think they all find one of the tutors very very difficult. Plus it's costing a lot in materials etc and some are struggling financially despite bursaries. I've just been reading the final evaluation handout for a project as DD was saying how repetitive it is so was getting confused and she does have a point and could see why she found it hard.

Also DD doesn't seem to be thinking in terms of assignments, more in terms of whole projects. At least one of them breaks it down into assignments but that hasn't really permeated into her consciousness.

Lost one sounds like a nightmare GasLight There was a tense moment here last week when we came back to find half the contents of DD's bag strewn across the floor. Luckily project intact and we now have new under stairs cupboard to stop repeat performance !

It's been light on assignments here although he is doing a lost one again (well he says he handed it in!).

It is a high drop out rate but I wonder how many are starting different courses from the first year.

It's good that you can go and watch.

I am cringing at the trying to remove piercing!

Yea thanks. Some unusual dance styles, but I suppose I expected that.

Dance teacher tried to remove DD's cartilage piercing before they started, so that was bleeding. It didn't come out needless to say.