BTEC/T level/other vocational 25/26

[BTECnewbie]

Hello all. My DS will hopefully be starting a level 3 extended diploma in September (assuming he gets the grades). I know very little about BTECs having come through the A level route myself. So I’d love to have a support thread for parents of kids taking vocational qualifications this year.

HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!!!
🎂 🎊🥳🎊 🎂🎉🥳🎊🎁🎂🥳🎉🎂….!!!

…FROM the Peak District!!! 😈😹💕!!! Soooo…. !! Where did you get to?! Did you have a lovely time?! I’m so happy you went out and ( hopefully!) had fun!!!! 🤩 ….xx

@swampwitch0…. super jealous cheese 🧀 wise! Hartington?! Or, the Cheddar Gorge?! 💕💕💕xxx

Hmmmmmm. I’m so very sorry. That is always heart sinking to receive……

I would try with a little text in response.. maybe an .. “ Oh, no… 💕.. What’s happened? Well, it’s Friday, so you’ve got the whole weekend off and we can get that Domino’s/pancakes/ McD/ look at that new game thing you wanted to show me later. And, I’ll be here as soon as you get back”…..……

… I’d write something like this to DS, not necessarily expecting at all that he’d tell me, and just reassuring him I’m here when he does get back if he does fancy talking about it. With him, sometimes a heads up that he’s had a shocker can be a de stressed for him, kind of like. “ be delicate and not too “ bubbly Mummy” nightmare when I get home! As it will not be best appreciated!!

🤞🙏🤞 she’s ok….. hopefully it might be something she is already feeling better about, now that she is out of the situation, do to speak!! xx

ps- I’m sorry I was late with Birthday wishes! I ended up running late so legging it from work in the city …directly to DS old school in my town for event…then directly to other town to collect DS then got back late at night to find cottage in same village had had Open Reach out late and it was like the The Shining, contact wise 🙄😾x

@TeenToTwentiesOh, that is so very sad to hear, I’m so sorry. You must be unbelievably stressed. Do they live close enough to you for you to travel for the day ( albeit a long day), or does it necessitate overnight trips? Are they having treatment/ poorly with long term conditions? Or, short term illnesses, which may hopefully be temporary, I mean? Oh, I really hope and send positive thoughts for their health to improve as best as it can soon. 🤗 x

I’m also hoping college have made contact / that they will be supportive, I am sure they should be 🤞🙏🤞… And, I’m hoping she has some animal contact soon…. Unbelievably positive for mental health 💕💕💕

@Sisublondie They are a bit too far for day trips unless essential (best part of 2 hrs). It is mainly just age related (95&89) but DM had a mild heart attack just after GCSE results and Dad hurt his back, then they got colds, but things much calmer now.

I've been keeping college informed, and they are being understanding, I just hope DD picks up enough before college's patience runs out.

@teafor1.. … Ooooh, now! That iron supplement in the red packaging works really quickly!! There are some gross tasting liquid sachets, I think, which always psychologically seems to kick in quickly! Hopefully the iron pills work fast and may well be the root cause of her tiredness. Magnesium, too?🤷‍♀️ Vitamin B supplements make a difference for me, and a Berocca Boost 😻!

But, what amazing news that her class are starting to engage with each other! That will really help boost her mood, mentally, too! Hopefully the iron supplements and the “tentative bonding” will boost everything for her 🤞🤞🤞x

Ah. Yes. I see. ( my DM lives similar distance- DDad died 21 years ago), so possible, if absolutely necessary. Oh, her heart attack just before GCSES is so very stressful, thank God she was ok. But the addition of bad back must have been awful, you trying to sort everyone ( including DD) out at such a time , hopefully their colds and everything improving. 🤗

Does your DD have ALS contact she can keep updated, or chat to?

@Sisublondie Luckily 2 days after the maths resit result, would have been much worse May/June time. But it meant I was away for first week of new course. Doesn't have ALS contact anymore as entire class has EHCPs.

@Sisublondie
It's just overwhelm I think.
Got a broken machine today and so didn't get the work done
She hates cad, too
🤷
We've made a list of what she has to do by Thursday so 🤞

@Sisublondie
Please don't apologise for belated birthday wishes! 💙
It's been a bit of a non event, really, which is fine.
Supposed to be going to the theatre tomorrow night, but I'm feeling a bit "meh" about it.
Tbh, I'm feeling a bit "meh" about everything atm 😐

Ah, I hate that you’re feeling “meh”….. do you think it’s subconscious birthday related… (“anti climatic non-event”-ish… I felt a bit like that after my zero event “ big” birthday).. mixed with DD worries…. making it all seem rather “ meh”…? Maybe even the thought of making the effort to go to the theatre, and the expectations the evening can then hold, may be adding to it? Hopefully, what will happen is that you will go out, and you will have a fantastic time!! Then, maybe a little lie in, or “ me time” rest on Sunday, and 🤞🙏 DD will be feeling better, too…. Then, on Monday, her machine will be working again, she will brighten up and the “meh” ness will dissipate…… 🍀!!

ps- I’m being 👱‍♀️, but! What is CAD?! 🤷‍♀️😹

pps- I had DS19 arrive a couple of hours ago from Edinburgh as a suprise……🤩!

Ahhhhh, yes…. Crikey, that is very close and that could have been really terrible timing, for something really terrible to happen… but, of course, missing the first week is horrid enough.

Oh yes, I see what you say re ALS contact. Hopefully she has a favourite teacher she can reach out to. How is she feeling at the end of this week? Any improvement at all?

No improvement, but no worse either. The meds will take 2-3 weeks to make an impact, she has a counselling session on Monday so that might help, fingers crossed.

@Sisublondie ah, how lovely! A surprise visit! ☺️
I will go to the theatre tonight - I'm sure I'll love it once there.
I'm feeling marginally better as dh just brought me up a Starbucks toffee apple muffin and strong coffee ☕️ 😋
I'm a simple woman and easily pleased 😆
CAD - computer assisted design

@swampwitch0…. Oooooh!, now that Muffin would win me over! Sadly, no Starbucks here! So DH normally knows an M&S Cranberry and Oat, or a Blueberry Crumble Muffin will win me over and make me smile! Hoping the coffee kicked in and DD is feeling perkier also!…. I’m hoping you are all beautified!, and have popped something on that makes you feel special and happy 😻💕, whatever that is!

Go out there, put your cares away for a well deserved few hours and focus on the play/ whatever you are going to! 🎭 … I hope you have a perfectly amazing time!! 🥳

(ahhhhh….yup! Sorry! My lack of tech showed up, there!)

I’m hoping your DD is feeling a little better today… it’s positive she has a counselling session booked, hopefully that is something positive to think about over the weekend, whilst awaiting the meds to start, too 💕

Thank you 😊
I'm not feeling it tbh, but fake it til you make it, right? 😊
Dd has been irritatingly chipper today, considering how little work shes done 🙄😬
I might have a glass of prosecco 🥂 and toast you all x

@swampwitch0….. 🫩..as to not feeling it… but just not yet! Yes, I think it’s going to have to be a positive mindset and manifesting yourself into a buzzing 🎭 mood.. until you are hopefully in one! 🤞🙏🎉. I definitely recommend a lovely chilled Prosecco, and totoast those of us whose Saturday night consists of the 1% Club ( don’t ask! I usually play it with DS19 and GF, but she’s at Uni and he’s gone out with his friend), and waiting to do a M-Uber at my summoned time! So, I would ADORE you imbibing a chilled Prosecco, please!! 🍾💕😻…

( Oh, totally get it with irritatingly chipper DC in that situation! I went to pick DS friend from the town his college is in first thing, traffic was crap, took two hours, but was “ essential” they helped him with his assignment in person! Which seemed to have taken about half the time I was stuck in traffic picking them up! Just been music since then 🙄🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️🙄!).

Anyhoo….. go fake till you make pronto!! 🥂!! 💋 x

My foster ds absolutely loved his BTEC level 3 extended course in Sport performance and Coaching (cricket). Several of his friends were constantly whining about their A levels but he really enjoyed his studies. A lot of the course was practical. There are several trips. He's just started Uni in September and got an unconditional offer for an integrated Masters course in Sport Coaching and Management with focus on cricket.

Want to see Top Hat 🎩
It was very good 😊

Thanks @caringcarer. It’s always good to hear BTEC success stories as I actually know so few kids who’ve done them.

DS is still loving his course but is still needing to put far more hours into it than I anticipated. The assignments are already quite relentless. Also the course seems quite strict. They’ve already kicked a few off for poor attendance and not completing assignments. DS is happy though as he’d prefer to have a smaller group of really keen kids rather than a load who have just picked the course at random and aren’t genuinely interested.

Dd actually doing some work today 😊

Oh, Hurrah!!!!!!! I am so happy that you went, and had a fab time!!! 😻

Ooops, I pressed send too soon! Oh, that is great news, too! Whet is her next assignment due? DS next one is due tomorrow… it is a Q&A session on what his career hopes are specifically initially, then ultimately within his chosen profession. He has prepared it, but it’s a long pre arranged Alton Towers Scare Fest Day today! I dropped him and a couple of friends off at 9am ( it’s only 15 minutes away), but picking up at 9pm and driving all over for drop offs…. I fear he will take the knock and be asleep well before we get home ! I simply cannot WAIT to climb into my bed!!

Are you feeling less “meh” today? 🤞🙏🤞💕, I do hope so x

Just WOW!! 🤩 You must be so proud! Thank you for sharing his achievements with us. I, too, find it hard to gauge BTEC as I have zero personal knowledge of then.

i hope he is suitable proud of where he is, and loving d dry second of a course that I hope he literally jumps out of bed each day to do! 😻😹