Page 30 | BTEC/T level/other vocational 25/26

BTECnewbie · 2025-08-14T18:34:22+00:00

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.

swampwitch0 · 28/10/2025 19:01

Sisublondie · 28/10/2025 18:20

Ahhhhh… ok, so you really do know what you are talking about when it comes to this kind of thing! Draconian is an excellent way of describing it….. a “ one size fits all” policy… not the best for ND DC, who some days struggle to get up and get dressed.

So, please tell me your DD wasn’t marked as absent (unauthorised) for the college- borne stomach bug?! And, the accident tail back………..( where I’m sure you said college were informed, as this was right near the start?!) 🤷‍♀️!

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As far as I know they were both aurhorised...if I find out they weren't I will contact the attendance office 😊

Sisublondie · 28/10/2025 19:02

TeenToTwenties · 28/10/2025 18:47

@Sisublondie I refuse to put something like 'other, refusing' when it is a diagnosed MH condition. She was in as much as she could be, so not skiving.

Oh, totally and absolutely! I could not agree more! I think as I always called, DH must have just assumed not to say the truth “ to not to embarrass DS”, which, once I 🤯, he thought for a nano second and told the absolute truth!

LarkspurLane · 28/10/2025 19:15

Sisublondie · 28/10/2025 18:59

@LarkspurLane.. ..: Ahhhhhhh! The old sending sick children in to get round the issue… hmmm, yep, I’ve never done that, either! I do remember when DS’ got old enough to talk, their little school friends saying sometimes they had “ had a runny poo last night, but mummy says not to say!”.. I don’t miss that 48 hour rule thing!

Time off for funerals! Great! Sounds like 21 years ago, when I was first working in law in London, went back north for Christmas/NY to see my dying father, was in work for one day before I went back home as looked like it really may be the end, dealt with court cases from there, came back to work after his death and funeral, 3 weeks later ( which I guess is quite speedy)… and at my appraisal didn’t get pay rise ( whatever, fine), but was told I’d used up my annual leave so only had like 5 days left for the year.. WTA…….?! 🤷‍♀️🤯!

I love your name, by the way! @LarkspurLane! I’m sure the road I used to walk past and pervevover the houses at Uni in Newcastle was Larkspur Terrace!

But!! More importantly……… 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳to your DS on passing his probation!!!!!! That is amazing news!!!! You must both be SO relieved!!!!! My DS hasn’t heard, yet. Nervous!

That is really fab thing to find out!! Really, really well done!!! 👏

Thank you for your kind words.
I was fairly sure he would pass (I think I would actually have been told if he was at risk) but it was still a relief to get the email even though it was full of dire warnings about attendance and attitude (not him but in general).

They can kick them out really easily up to October half term, now they are stuck with him, unless he does something awful!

Next up - securing work experience!

LarkspurLane · 28/10/2025 19:20

@Sisublondie My name is a somewhat obscure Nancy Drew reference, I think only one person has ever "got" it.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 30/10/2025 19:11

Attendance... having issues here as well.

DD has booked a TV role and needs time off for filming. Under 16, at school, they are licensed by the council and it's a separate attendance code so it doesn't count as absence.

College are now complaining about time off and it will affect her attendance figures. Despite my explaining that the government regard it as an educational experience and so it doesn't count towards attendance.

I can see there is going to be a difficult discussion coming up where I explain that we will be accepting all and any opportunities, and that I really, really don't care what her attendance is. She's on top of all homework and assignments and what is being taught is stuff she can do with her eyes shut, so not even like she needs to catch up.

I am hoping they will be sensible as I really don't want the row.

Am also annoyed as they marked her absent for a class she was in (on first day of term) and she missed 2 lessons for an audition workshop which they promised me would go under the correct code and not count... and it's down as absent. Grrrrrr

swampwitch0 · 30/10/2025 19:14

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 30/10/2025 19:11

Attendance... having issues here as well.

DD has booked a TV role and needs time off for filming. Under 16, at school, they are licensed by the council and it's a separate attendance code so it doesn't count as absence.

College are now complaining about time off and it will affect her attendance figures. Despite my explaining that the government regard it as an educational experience and so it doesn't count towards attendance.

I can see there is going to be a difficult discussion coming up where I explain that we will be accepting all and any opportunities, and that I really, really don't care what her attendance is. She's on top of all homework and assignments and what is being taught is stuff she can do with her eyes shut, so not even like she needs to catch up.

I am hoping they will be sensible as I really don't want the row.

Am also annoyed as they marked her absent for a class she was in (on first day of term) and she missed 2 lessons for an audition workshop which they promised me would go under the correct code and not count... and it's down as absent. Grrrrrr

Copy in the Chair of Governors and ask who the link governor fir attendance is

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 30/10/2025 20:00

swampwitch0 · 30/10/2025 19:14

Copy in the Chair of Governors and ask who the link governor fir attendance is

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Thank you, that is useful to know.

I am hoping sense will prevail... I was pretty upfront with what DD does in meetings with them and nobody said 'Houston, we have a problem' so...

Sisublondie · 31/10/2025 09:35

Happy Halloween 🎃 👻 🦇 everyone!!!!! ( I grew up in with religious Mum ( 💕) and shuddered when I wrote that, hearing my Mum’s disapproval!).

Does anyone have any fun plans … FOR THEMSELVES?! 🤷‍♀️😈😹! As if! I am on M-Uber duty around the Peak District, only popping back for the village children’s Trick or Treating!

Anyway! Today is DS’ Big Day!!!! I could really sleep last night, nerves and excitement for him. He bounded in first thing, picked 🐩 up… playing with him, so I dared drop in … “ Soooo, how you feeling?”…… bless him, he continued snuggling his ( therapy dog, best mates for over 9 years 💕), and said “ you know, little bit anxious, but….”……….
i checked he had picked his outfit, “ all sorted”…. and I can “see it when I need to, later!”… I’m a bit concerned as it changed code from “ fancy dress” to “ well dressed”, which I would hate to decipher!!

Anyway! I hope everyone has a lovely Halloween 🎃!!

Sisublondie · 31/10/2025 09:36

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 30/10/2025 19:11

Attendance... having issues here as well.

DD has booked a TV role and needs time off for filming. Under 16, at school, they are licensed by the council and it's a separate attendance code so it doesn't count as absence.

College are now complaining about time off and it will affect her attendance figures. Despite my explaining that the government regard it as an educational experience and so it doesn't count towards attendance.

I can see there is going to be a difficult discussion coming up where I explain that we will be accepting all and any opportunities, and that I really, really don't care what her attendance is. She's on top of all homework and assignments and what is being taught is stuff she can do with her eyes shut, so not even like she needs to catch up.

I am hoping they will be sensible as I really don't want the row.

Am also annoyed as they marked her absent for a class she was in (on first day of term) and she missed 2 lessons for an audition workshop which they promised me would go under the correct code and not count... and it's down as absent. Grrrrrr

I’m sorry I can’t advise, but, CONGRATULATIONS 🥂 to your DD!!!!!! Fabulous news! You must be so proud!!!

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 31/10/2025 10:39

Sisublondie · 31/10/2025 09:36

I’m sorry I can’t advise, but, CONGRATULATIONS 🥂 to your DD!!!!!! Fabulous news! You must be so proud!!!

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Thank you! I am unbelievably happy and very excited for her… it’s been a very long road with Covid cancelling everything, then US strikes and then dead zone (basically impossible to work from 14-16) and finally feels back on track after a lot of rejections. Agent is over the moon too. They will speak to college if necessary so that is good.

swampwitch0 · 31/10/2025 11:26

Never done Halloween, really
When I was young (back in the paleolithic era..) bonfire night was the big celebration
I am also mum taxi today @Sisublondie 🙄

sashh · 01/11/2025 05:14

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 30/10/2025 19:11

Attendance... having issues here as well.

DD has booked a TV role and needs time off for filming. Under 16, at school, they are licensed by the council and it's a separate attendance code so it doesn't count as absence.

College are now complaining about time off and it will affect her attendance figures. Despite my explaining that the government regard it as an educational experience and so it doesn't count towards attendance.

I can see there is going to be a difficult discussion coming up where I explain that we will be accepting all and any opportunities, and that I really, really don't care what her attendance is. She's on top of all homework and assignments and what is being taught is stuff she can do with her eyes shut, so not even like she needs to catch up.

I am hoping they will be sensible as I really don't want the row.

Am also annoyed as they marked her absent for a class she was in (on first day of term) and she missed 2 lessons for an audition workshop which they promised me would go under the correct code and not count... and it's down as absent. Grrrrrr

OK I'm not making excuses, well actually I am but the first day of term you don't know the students, you don't recognise them in the corridor.

And teens can be quite chatty so getting the first few registers correct is not as easy as it sounds. If I call out 20 names and I get 19 'yes' or 'here' ten I do a head count to check how many people are actually in the room.

If there are 19 people then I close the register.

sashh · 01/11/2025 05:28

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 30/10/2025 19:11

Attendance... having issues here as well.

DD has booked a TV role and needs time off for filming. Under 16, at school, they are licensed by the council and it's a separate attendance code so it doesn't count as absence.

College are now complaining about time off and it will affect her attendance figures. Despite my explaining that the government regard it as an educational experience and so it doesn't count towards attendance.

I can see there is going to be a difficult discussion coming up where I explain that we will be accepting all and any opportunities, and that I really, really don't care what her attendance is. She's on top of all homework and assignments and what is being taught is stuff she can do with her eyes shut, so not even like she needs to catch up.

I am hoping they will be sensible as I really don't want the row.

Am also annoyed as they marked her absent for a class she was in (on first day of term) and she missed 2 lessons for an audition workshop which they promised me would go under the correct code and not count... and it's down as absent. Grrrrrr

OK I'm not making excuses, well actually I am but the first day of term you don't know the students, you don't recognise them in the corridor.

And teens can be quite chatty so getting the first few registers correct is not as easy as it sounds. If I call out 20 names and I get 19 'yes' or 'here' ten I do a head count to check how many people are actually in the room.

If there are 19 people then I close the register.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 01/11/2025 08:34

Oh I get that - however DD did go and ask for it to be fixed and they haven’t.

Which means I don’t intend to take their attendance records seriously (I take DD’s actual attendance seriously)

swampwitch0 · 01/11/2025 22:21

Dd has - we hope! - sorted work experience for next year (it's a retail shop she already works at occasionally)
Would be great if this is acceptable to college!

Sisublondie · 01/11/2025 22:25

swampwitch0 · 01/11/2025 22:21

Dd has - we hope! - sorted work experience for next year (it's a retail shop she already works at occasionally)
Would be great if this is acceptable to college!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! 🥳 Whoo- Hoo (😹!!)!! That is truly amazing news!! That would be great if “ acceptable”! Does she have a specification as to what is required? I have tried to ascertain from DS the same, I have no idea whatsoever!

But, for right now, it is perfect Saturday night fabulous news!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

Sisublondie · 01/11/2025 22:52

swampwitch0 · 31/10/2025 11:26

Never done Halloween, really
When I was young (back in the paleolithic era..) bonfire night was the big celebration
I am also mum taxi today @Sisublondie 🙄

Paleolithic era…😈😹🙀😹!! Ditto!

Well! I feel terrible for joking about taxi journeys! , as yesterday, halfway through Halloween 🎃 M-Uber trips, my beloved old XC90 went into “ limp” mode, so I crawled along the nasty ass fast, winding road in torrential rain with scared DS and mate in back, with nowhere to pull over, to thankfully get home in one piece….. and DH had to take over taxi duties!!

BUT!!! DS’s First Party went well!! He came home smiling, which is all I could as for! ( however……! DS19 has just sent footage of the “ flat party” in Edinburgh he was at last night, with hundreds just stuck blocking the stairwells over floors to try to get in! Anxiety inducing! He managed to get out with his friends, and club it, instead!)

Halloween 🎃 👻 🦇 🧙 FUN! 🤩

Sisublondie · 01/11/2025 22:54

sashh · 01/11/2025 05:28

OK I'm not making excuses, well actually I am but the first day of term you don't know the students, you don't recognise them in the corridor.

And teens can be quite chatty so getting the first few registers correct is not as easy as it sounds. If I call out 20 names and I get 19 'yes' or 'here' ten I do a head count to check how many people are actually in the room.

If there are 19 people then I close the register.

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You do a far better job than I could at that! High five, for all, as teaching and teenagers takes some guts! 🌟

swampwitch0 · 02/11/2025 00:24

I'm not exactly sure wrt work experience @Sisublondie
I need to read up on the spec/college website but, unfortunately dd is not well tonight...as usually happens when she's been busy/not slept much, she vomits ☹️
Always just before bed ☹️
Hoping she'll get some sleep now...
Not sure I will!
Sorry to hear about the car 🚗
The party dd went to last night was in a tiny hamlet down a cart track, basically 😬
Not fun in the dark, wind and rain 😕
Glad your ds's party went well 😊

sashh · 02/11/2025 07:33

Work experience. This can be paid but usually is unpaid.

If she has organised it herself @swampwitch0 that is fantastic and when it gets to UCAS form she should remember and insert, "I proactively sought and secured my own work experience as I like to be ahead of..." you get the idea.

As long as it can be linked to the course then that is usually OK. There is some cross over with all work placements eg health and safety and policy and procedure.

Don't take the next bit as gospel, it's an idea of what the college may expect.

H and S it will be looking at possible hazards in the work place, carrying out a risk assessment, identifying the first aider, where the first aid kit is, where are the fire extinguishes and what type are they.

Policy and procedure, policies are what to do and procedures is how you do it. All work places have policies and procedures.

Wishing continued success for all your teens.

LarkspurLane · 02/11/2025 09:44

DS course is IT and they have told us that it is difficult to get meaningful work in the area (computing), especially in the first year. We've been told to think outside the box and that actually anything (they suggested charity shops) would be ok.
DS has emailed a few places the college suggested and a few that I found - no one has even replied to him.
One place, he walked into, they asked him to email - no reply!

sashh · 02/11/2025 11:55

LarkspurLane · 02/11/2025 09:44

DS course is IT and they have told us that it is difficult to get meaningful work in the area (computing), especially in the first year. We've been told to think outside the box and that actually anything (they suggested charity shops) would be ok.
DS has emailed a few places the college suggested and a few that I found - no one has even replied to him.
One place, he walked into, they asked him to email - no reply!

Is there an IT/ computing club at his old school? Helping out with something like that could be useful.

If you are in the Midlands an independent IT shop has just opened round the corner from me.

Libraries often have computers for people to use, maybe volunteer to help with that.

I also think large companies might have opportunities, I worked one summer for National Express, they have lots if IT the network control department can check the temperature in each coach, see everything from motorway cameras, check the breath test of every driver (the drivers have blow a bretheliser to start the coach) then you have time tabling, seat booking etc etc.

LarkspurLane · 02/11/2025 14:26

sashh · 02/11/2025 11:55

Is there an IT/ computing club at his old school? Helping out with something like that could be useful.

If you are in the Midlands an independent IT shop has just opened round the corner from me.

Libraries often have computers for people to use, maybe volunteer to help with that.

I also think large companies might have opportunities, I worked one summer for National Express, they have lots if IT the network control department can check the temperature in each coach, see everything from motorway cameras, check the breath test of every driver (the drivers have blow a bretheliser to start the coach) then you have time tabling, seat booking etc etc.

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Thanks for your suggestions. Nothing would persuade him to go back to his old school, but he needs to take a look at local shops and other places IT is used.
I'll look at transport companies as you suggest - once I give him ideas, he's happy to contact them itself, it's just all the "ghosting" as he calls it is getting him down.

swampwitch0 · 02/11/2025 16:30

Thank you @sashh 😊

swampwitch0 · 02/11/2025 18:28

Anyone's dc getting anxious about going back?
Dd has had a 2 week half term but there's an inset day scheduled on her first day back