Vocational courses 24/25

[TeenToTwenties]

Would anyone be interested in a vocational courses thread for the new academic year?
My DD did 2 years at level 1, has had a gap year and is now returning to do a level 2.

@TeenToTwenties so sorry to hear that. It’s such a shame as getting the placement would have given her a boost of confidence. It’s really tough for our youngsters. I have tried a couple of places for DD but no response. DD is even trying to look for part time work but no response there either. Will keep persevering but I think college will have to help as we are definitely having no luck. I think it’s all the hassle with insurance that is putting potential placements off.

She does have two others lined up, which now we need to firm up on, but she really really wanted a rescue. Ah well at least she has other options.
We contacted 15 places, most didn't respond.

That’s good @TeenToTwenties good luck to her and hope she enjoys her experience.

@TeenToTwenties Reviving this thread to ask how your DD is getting on? Mine is due to start a Level 3 in Animal Care in September, grades permitting. Any tips/advice gratefully received!

Dd is getting on really well thanks. Just had a progress report and for animal care it was nearly all 1s (excellent) and maths 2s (good).

Tips for level 3. Look at the spec and make sure assignment answers the required points for merit/distinction as you don't get many/any second chances.

If your DC is petite don't expect to get overalls that fit, we had to chop arms and legs off! Her college however does have a supplier of lightweight safety boots, lace ups that go small enough.

How is anyone getting on? We are getting to the crunch time for assignments.

Dd (level2) has a massive 'practical booklet' to write up which is a bit overwhelming and then hopefully just one more due at half term.

Though there is some kind of meet and greet practical, and maybe a keeper talk too, and giving a treatment to a dog, and ...

Trying to stay calm with this for the gcse resits.

DD is doing ok. She's on a level 1 course (after an absolutely horrible last 2 years of Secondary school)

The main thing is that she's been able to attend regularly and is getting her confidence back a bit. She's even made a couple of friends. This year has been mostly about getting back into education and she's achieved that which is absolutely great.

She's done well on her level 1 and is on track to pass the course. She has enrolled on the level 2 course for next year as well.

It's her GCSEs resits soon. We're going to need a whole heap of good luck to get the illusive grade 4s but let's just keep our fingers crossed. Last year I didn't even think she'd actually sit any GCSEs so we're in a much better place than that this time.

Good luck to everyone doing GCSEs soon and completing their BTECs. 🤞

@Lindy2 Glad college is working out. Dd2 missed y11 so started on a level1 course as well, it helped her regrow confidence finally being asked to do stuff she could do rather than stuff she couldn't.

Hello everyone, hope people don't mind me putting on a bit of a boasty post but I'm so proud.... DS has finished his first year (carpentry) with a distinction! He worked really hard to get everything finished and done so was the first to be signed off. He has sailed through all the exam theory parts this year too.

He's so motivated and engaged and it's so different from his attitude to school. They don't take everyone on for the 2nd year but I think he should be a dead cert for this.

I hope everyone else's DC have enjoyed their courses and had a really good year!

Just to give hope to others 3 years ago my foster ds left a special school with a level 2 BTEC in food tech, Science GCSE 4 and 3, BTEC Sports level 1 and GCSE Maths level 3. He went to a main stream college where he was given a 1-1 support assistant for all academic lessons. He never got anywhere near this level of support at his special school. He did the BTEC Level 2 in Sports Development and Coaching worth 4 x GCSE at level 4/5 , resat GCSE Maths and did Functional Skills English level 1. He passed them all Maths at level 4. Then following year because he had worked hard and managed to get Merits he moved on to the BTEC Sport Coaching and Development level 3 equivalent to 3 x A levels. He's just finished this now and looks likely to get DDM or DMM. He has his GCSE English exam tomorrow but got level 5 on both papers in his mock exam. He just needs a GCSE English level 4. He's applied and after interview been given an unconditional offer to go to University to study an Integrated Masters in Cricket Coaching and Management. Until about 12 months ago we thought the best he could possibly manage was a foundation degree in Sport at university. He has come on in leaps and bounds at his college and achieved more than we ever thought possible. This year even though they still provided a 1-1 support he said the 1-1 actually spend more time helping other students because he didn't really need him much. We are so impressed with his college for inspiring and supporting him so well and encouraging him to dream bigger. DFS told me his teacher told him all things can be possible if you want it enough. Also DFS took an additional year as he sat level 2 courses in his first year. I'm so glad we supported this choice and told DFS it didn't matter about all if it took him an extra year. Doing the level 2 course gave him so much confidence that he could do it. I hope others do equally well in their chosen courses.

@Popfan Boasty posts are welcome, well done for that distinction!

@caringcarer That's amazing to go from a special school to university.

It just shows how vocational courses can be so fabulous for some of our youngsters who struggle with GCSEs and secondary school.

@Popfan @caringcarer Thank you for sharing such inspirational stories! Reading these makes me even more certain that DD is on the right path doing a BTEC. You must both be so proud!

Well done your DS. It's amazing how the experience at college differs from school.

Thank you everyone! @caringcarer well-done to your DFS, he has done amazingly well. The college sounds great.

I would recommend college wholeheartedly!