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Original poster

BTECs starting 2015 - General support thread

692 replies

TeenAndTween · 26/08/2015 16:21

Is there anyone else around whose child is starting a BTEC rather than A levels? Should we stay on this board or move to Further Education?

My DD has enrolled for Travel & Tourism.

OP posts:
HSMMaCM · 12/06/2016 17:04

We're getting there. Year 12 nearly over. Found out yesterday DD finishes on July 15th, so about a week earlier than I thought.

SugarPlumTree · 12/06/2016 16:45

GrinWineCakeFlowersStarHalo excellent T&T, really pleased for her and also for you as I know how hard this year has been.

Gas those grades are brilliant, a big well done to him too.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 12/06/2016 16:29

I should have more faith Grin . DD has got the distinction even though she didn't finish the distinction piece, because her merit piece accidentally covered the distinction stuff!

The information required for these BTEC assignments completely confuses me sometimes. She is either told she is not writing enough detail, or far too much.

OP posts:
Original poster
TeenAndTween · 12/06/2016 12:29

She's a little better at walking, the pain killers are helping, but can't go more than a few feet unaided. Thanks for asking.

She got all her assignments in on time, except a distinction criteria that was only part done. She has submitted as is, and asked for feedback/extension, and if good enough will complete and if not good enough (likely as she hasn't met a written distinction yet) she won't bother.

She needs to be in Monday for a short time, and then not for the rest of the week luckily.

OP posts:
GasLightShining · 12/06/2016 09:59

I know T & T - I forget every time. Yes it is D D D*

How is your DD?

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 11/06/2016 20:59

Gas You still need to learn to put spaces with your DS's predicted grades don't you? Smile D D D* or whatever.

OP posts:
GasLightShining · 11/06/2016 19:08

EYV Sounds like your DS is being very mature about it all and the university is the other end of the country to you and it could be hard. My DS isn't 18 until the August so I do get it. If DS's friend (who has been a brilliant influence) wasn't going to the same uni I would probably be suggesting a year out.

DS thought the exam was ok which is worrying (his words not mine)! There was a question connected with Bear Gryls which students were tweeting about. DS is talking about retaking if he fails

Draylon Sounds like DS is getting into it which is good as it will hopefully motivate him to work. I would look at some universities who are asking for higher grades as it could motivate him more.

My DS had a mixture of GCSEs ranging from A (As being BTEC sport under the old system and the A was systems and control which he had a very good mark for coursework) to E so not a high flying academic. As has been the case with my DS you may find he settles in well with it all and achieves better than you think. My DS is now expecting finals grades of DDD* (although I do also credit his friend for being a good influence!).

First open day for DD on the 28th.

Draylon · 11/06/2016 16:59

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Draylon · 11/06/2016 16:56

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sashh · 11/06/2016 11:27

Hi Draylon My DD tells me it is an OCR IT Level 3 Extended

The exam board is OCR then

FozzieMK · 11/06/2016 10:51

Hi Draylon My DD tells me it is an OCR IT Level 3 Extended. Here is the link from the college website which may help, but I can't see the examination board mentioned on there:

www.mkcollege.ac.uk/courses/find-a-course/detail/136956

Draylon · 10/06/2016 19:01

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FozzieMK · 10/06/2016 17:04

Sashh has explained it perfectly Draylon. You can find a table via Google which lists the UCAS points received by having each grade. My DD's 2 unconditional offers and bursaries were because she has achieved DDD, in fact one of the Uni's has been bombarding her with phone calls and emails because they really liked her on her taster day and want her to make them the first choice. They have also upped the bursary so Uni's are quite happy with BTEC, in fact one of them said they liked BTEC students because they have already been studying some of the modules and have a good computing knowledge when they join rather than having A-Level's that are not linked.

SugarPlumTree · 10/06/2016 14:10

Fingers firmly crossed for a quick recovery.

Great post Shh, that's a big help for all of us.

SugarPlumTree · 10/06/2016 14:08

Yes I totally get the wanting to get it on time, I think DD felt like that. Your poor DD (and you),that must be scary. DS was unable to walk one morning at First school as he had irritable hip. I remember the trip to hospital well still.

sashh · 10/06/2016 13:45

Draylon
OK BTEC used to be BEC or TEC, the business education or technical education councils.

Over the years there have been mergers and changes and BTEC is now owned by Pearson AKA Edexcel.

There used to be OCR National Certificate and BTEC National Certificate, the same with diplomas.

OCR is a different examining board and has recently started calling it's certificates and diplomas 'CTEC' or Cambridge TEC.

So the qualifications are equal just provided by different examining bodies.

So the question is which has the options that are best for your son.

Both qualifications are made up of a number of modules/units, some are compulsory an others are options, however 'option' is slightly misleading as the options are chosen by the school/college and often reflect the teacher's abilities/expertise rather than what is best for the students.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 10/06/2016 13:36

I am assuming they will grant an extension, but she would like to submit on time iyswim?
She is OK, sort of, but struggling to walk without support (!? Confused)

OP posts:
SugarPlumTree · 10/06/2016 13:24

Oh goodness T&T, you poor things Flowers Have they any idea what is going on? I'm sure College will be understanding.

HSMMaCM · 10/06/2016 12:44

T&T I hope she is ok? Surely they'll grant an extension for that.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 10/06/2016 12:19

Well, I've been having fun Hmm

DD1's last 3 assignments are all due today. I had to pick her up early from college on Wed and we spent all of yesterday at the hospital! Doctors bemused by her sudden mysterious lack of mobility issues.
Oh joy.

Luckily she is mainly done, at least 2 will get submitted on time, but she may need a short extension on the last one.

Draylon could you ring admissions tutors and ask whether the OCR one is an acceptable alternative?

eat/gas Hope English gets passed! Also 'become more of a man' is a fantastic attitude.

OP posts:
Draylon · 10/06/2016 10:46

This reply has been deleted

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eatyourveg · 09/06/2016 22:27

Gas what did your ds think of today's English? I saw one half of the paper and the first question looked horrible but the second question in contrast was great and I sat there imagining what I would write - oh to be 16 again :)

SugarPlumTree · 09/06/2016 13:52

Grin fair play to him Eatmoreveg !

HSMMaCM · 09/06/2016 11:58

Become more of a man GrinGrinGrin

eatyourveg · 09/06/2016 08:49

The gap year announcement came when we were in the uni city for half term to help him get to know his way around before September - i think the distance from home and the degree of self sufficiency needed gave him a reality check.

He is summer born so not 18 for a few weeks yet and he emphasised that he wanted to go but wanted some cash behind him as a safety net and wanted a year to "become more of a man" Wink he was surprised at how ok we were with it but I told him he couldn't tell the uni until he had a job lined up. The boss at his coaching job has offered him as many hours as he wants so he's decided on 24 - he finishes his level 2 award tomorrow so will get £15 per hour from September and fill the remaining time with performance analysis, lifetime qualifications and whatever one does to become more of a man Grin