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.

DS doesn't seem anxious, but he only had a week off which I think worked better for him than being off for longer this early in the course.

Oh dear, I spoke too soon! DS is worried about coming back from college in the dark now the clocks have changed.

Sorry to hear that @Borka
Dd is a very anxious person, sadly ☹️
I had hoped this school break would be without incident, but 🤷‍♀️
She had a better noght last night so 🤞

If we can get DD on the college bus home, we will meet her at the bus stop and walk back with her. Still a far less effort for us than a 1hr round trip.

Hope your DD is ok @swampwitch0

Half term is finished here but this week they have GCSE exams going on so DD is being set work to do from home and doesn't need to go in to college. She has just found out about the new project they are starting and came to tell me about it. It's lovely seeing her so enthusiastic after the slog that was year 11!

Oh, that is so great to see enthusiasm from them, isn’t it? I know what you mean, my DS was so beaten down by Yr 11, the only enthusiasm shown was for when he left.

How is the working from home going? Is the project something she can start working on now? Sounds positive!

Oh no, no, nooooo! How is she today, I guess she isn’t back till tomorrow, then? That is a long time to have been off. I was actually reading this weekend, about the “ two week October” half term.. I hadn’t heard about it at all until you mentioned it. The article was about how some parebts lolare allegedly choosing schools based on it?! What the Hell?! 🤷‍♀️😈!!

Has she been in touch with any of her classmates? That may make her feel easier about “ re assimilating” tomorrow?! 🤞🙏

@OWCAAgentP
She seems better today, thank you.

@Sisublondie
She's not back in until Thursday 🙄
She has counselling today, so hopefully that might help
I'm so tired ☹️
Dh is having a minor op (under local anaesthetic) this week, so no driving for him for 2 weeks 😫
So, lots of taxi duties

@Sisublondie
I think its too long, tbh. But MATs decide their own term dates now, as long as they teach for a set number of days and have a set number of inset/training days.
In my neighbouring county they have 2 weeks at February half term.

Thursday!!!!! Wha’?!?! 🤷‍♀️! How is she doing, feeling a bit more positive, I hope

Yes, I agree. It seems too long, especially so soon after they started. DS had his lessons cancelled yesterday, but went in anyway. Which I guess is good! I didn’t ask him why ( DH just said “staff shortages” was mentioned), but have friend with DS in neighbouring county doing his resits. I didn’t want to mention that to DS, as he is very happily cracking on with his English classes at the moment, and hadn’t mentioned the November resit, but seems a bit rubbish to cancel a whole days of lessons…. Is this a college norm? 🤷‍♀️

I am still at my Mum’s (Liverpool way), so DH in charge…. Funny how DS happily hopped on the college bus to come home ( he’d have been pushing for a pick up from me ).

You have made me think, now! I don’t know if I’m your neighbouring county, but I should check to see if I am and/or I’m looking at a two week Feb Treat?!

I hope DH’s op goes well 🤞 🍀… and that he recovers well ( and taxi duty not too heinous)…… and Good Luck to DD ( and you!) tomorrow……. I hope she manages to breeze through the day……..🤞💕…

@Sisublondie

DD's college have 'Distance learning days when they work from home but the staff are doing other things, so INSET days by any other name I think. So it could just be a badly notified one of those.

The alternate could be to do with GCSE resits. Kids resitting are more likely to need exam concessions such as smaller rooms, extra time, readers etc. The number of rooms required and staff to assist may well impact on availability.

An additional issue could be that if 75% of the course group are doing resits they may think that teaching that day isn't worth it as so many students will miss it.

@Sisublondie Different colleges have different policies wrt resits in November.

Some seem to put them all in regardless (good practice and they might pass), others wait until June (more learning time, don't set them up to fail) and others put only the 'just missed a 4' cohort in in November.

@Sisublondie
Thank you.
Bit of a wobble last night.
I was out with a friend and didn't get back til 11pm and dd was waiting for me at the top of the stairs 😬
I finally got into my bedroom at 1am 😴
She was anxious about going back today and is contemplating dropping out of a hobby event (which I think is the right thing for her to do...she's not enjoying it atm...)
Dh is having his op today and although it's minor, he's nervous, understandably.

So, dd's quit her next hobby event.
I think it's the right decision.
She's felt quite upset coming home after the past couple of practices.
She does have the option of joining the adult group next year, though, which may suit her more.

Ahhhhh, that is interesting! I will ask DS if he has these learning days. He has just gone into college in any event, and says he just did work in the library.

I think my friends DS’ college, seems to have out everyone in for the November resit. I was nervous about DS wanting to do it- even though he was “ only” 9 off, due to him starting at new college, in new town, with all change…. I didn’t want him to be mentally drained, and, yes, set him up to fail. Luckily, it’s not been mentioned, but, yes, it does seem most likely that that is the reason for staff shortages this week.

Thank you for describing how your DD’s college works, I’ll definitely find out more about my DS’s, 🙏.

Hey, I’ve been wondering how she / DH got on today. My DH picked me up from Mum’s and 21/2 hours home, to run in and get my car keys and rush to meeting so only just seen DS now. Yeh. I’m pretty sure I was only missed for my later-than-Dad-will-agree-to-Pick Ups!

…. awwww… Ok, so she’s decided about her hobby. Well, let’s just hope that she soon realises that she is really happy with her decision, and it’s a wait off her shoulders..
.. and, it IS good that she could start the adult- version next year. Oh, the port thing, making such big decisions…
But you, too. How upsetting to get home, after most probably a lovely ( and rare, for me!) night out and go come home to upset DD needing you. You must be mentally and physically exhausted, as then having to be there to support DH.

I really hope you all get through tomorrow and then are able to get some rest this weekend…… 🤞🙏💕x

Thanks @Sisublondie
I do feel a bit fragile atm tbh.
But! Dhs op went ok, he's not in too much pain.
Dd back at college and seems to be happy to be back.
Older dd worked all week so she's happy.
And my mums MRI appointment finally came through!! 🙌
I'm planning a lazy weekend - let's hope it happens! :)

Did you get your lazy weekend? I hope so. I hope you’re feeling bit better and manage to get some “ me time”. to MRI appointment coming through! I’m waiting for one for my Mum, too.. I hope that all goes well! And, good to hear DH Op went ok and on the mend…

Mine was mainly DS new phone arriving, to have NO WiFi/service to set it up, so off grid fury! Lazy, aside from that, tho 🙄😹!

Good news re both DD! How were their weekends?

So, you know how ( well I do) Mothers tend to blame themselves, in situations where it patently is not our fault?? Well, when I am doing laundry, I always always always check pockets! Even after I have asked “ Have you checked your pockets”. Well. Yesterday, I asked DS to make sure all ready for college etc…. Brought his uniform down…. I double checked every bloody pocket of his trousers, all empty…… fine. Then, 1am ish, he wakes me, panicked, asking if I’d seen his lanyard and bus pass? Nope. Of COURSE I had double checked his pockets…! He drags me off to check the heated clothes dryer thing…. I find it IN THE POCKET OF HIS HOODY!!! Everything faded out, QR codes gone, battered and broken! 😡 … Literally the ONLY “non-pocket” I have never checked in my whole life .. Neither of us have slept, he’s stressed about not being allowed on bus, getting into trouble at college and clearly I am blaming myself. 🤯!

So, anyhoo!! Cracking start to the week! Dark and foggy here, too. Hope you’re feeling bit stronger and both DD are in positive frames of mind this Monday morning….🤞😸.. Have a good one!

@Sisublondie
I must confess something...
I don't really check pockets prior to washing
😬
This has led to the odd washed lip balm but nothing too bad.
I imagine he'll have to pay for a replacement, (depending on college policy) but so many kids lose their lanyard/locker key...the colleges are very used to it!
I hope its sorted quickly and ds isn't too stressed by it x
Dd seems ok...is working on her coursework. She's very very critical of herself so I have to bite my tongue sometimes.
I've been struggling with shoulder/arm pain for about a week ☹️
It's really painful 😒

I got the coirse spec out last night (I printed it off when dd registered)
She seems to be a bit confused as to what's required so I'll show that to her later.
But first...the dentist 😬

Hello all, just checking in on the thread. Nothing much to report here. DS still enjoying the course and working hard. He’s so much happier than he was at school so this has definitely been the right course for him.

Thats great to hear 😊
Dd much prefers college to school, too

@swampwitch0

Good LUCK 🍀🤞🙏 at the Dentist! 🦷 I hope it’s pain free!! ( I have my “ emergency filling” tomorrow- so thanks for reminding me!- booked it in September 🙄!)..
Have you see anyone about shoulder pain? Give my fractured wrist, I had someone in similar position give a heads up that she now has a frozen shoulder after recovering from hers?? Have you had anything happen non-shoulder related that may be radiating?? I’d definitely try to see a Dr with it having gone on for over a week…. 🤗 for all that …x

Course spec!! Excellent for doing that!! (I had been reassured by DS seemingly in control of assignments, but it seems to have been quite quiet, and certainly be said he didn’t have one after half term, so I think I should keep a eye on that too). What part do you think is confusing her with this part of coursework? Or, is it possibly it’s “ in hand” but she’s “ overthinking it” and being a little self- critical?

Well, DH took DS into college, as he was scared that he wouldn’t be allowed on the bus ( I assured him he would, he is the only person who gets on in that village- and to explain the situation). I haven’t heard from him since ( oh, actually, I did! To ask for more lunch money!!) , so I’m hoping it was fine, at worst pay for a replacement ( which I’ll no doubt refund!). Funny you never really check! It’s actually ironic how I prised open every bloody pocket on his dsmn Velcro pockets, even picking out little tissue particles from a tissue obviously missed when I was staying at my Mum’s and tutting!).. not even thinking of checking hoodie pocket.., as, it’s not even strictly a pocket!!! Is it??

I hope 🦷 went ok!! And DD coursework ticking along better!
😸

@Sisublondie
Teeth fine👍
Good job, they seem to be the only bit of me that is atm 😩
Drs have given me an appointment for next Monday 🤷‍♀️