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.

My dh and her bf went to graduation, plus gps, so a nice bunch 😊
I'm so sorry to hear about your dds placement @TeenToTwenties...what a disappointment ☹️
I'm hoping dds week off doesn't trigger an anxiety spiral but 🤷‍♀️

re Placement. College do have another lead and she has a meet on Monday but it isn't nearly so 'good' as the one we thought she had. We've out something on the local business facebook just in case.

She has been through so much in her life and keeps battling on, she just needs something to go her way for a change.

Its so, so tough as parents to see our kids try so hard, but get disappointment after disappointment.
I hope the 2nd placement is successful 🙏

How are you all doing?
Dd is recovering, but will be coughing for a while, I think 😷
The "group" project that dd did alone was involved with has been shortlisted for the final!
She's a bit stressed, as she missed all last week as she was so ill, but that was a nice thing 😊
Last day tomorrow (half day) Yay! 🙌
She's entering a competition with a deadline of 12/1 so hopefully that'll keep her busy over the Christmas break 😬
Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas 🎄 and thank you for your company this year x

@swampwitch0

Thank you! And to you! 🎄 💕!

EXCELLENT news on the “ group” ( aka SOLE!!) project!! What does the final entail?! You must be so proud! And, she will hopefully get this “ group” situation sorted, but, what a fab achievement for her!!
Competition sounds fun! Or, hard work?! Either way, time occupier, which is great!

I’ve been dashing about with my Mum ooop north, and trying to come up with reasons why I’m going every week (normally she comes here). DD17 hasn’t really questioned it, but DD19 got back from Edinburgh last night ( yay!) and is on the case….. so.. tricky there.
Tonight, function at old school and DD17 wants to come…. He is aware one, at least, of his main bullies is going….. so… I’m feeling rather nauseous right now! ….

Whoo- Hoo (!), for last ( half!) day tomorrow……..! 🎉

I hope your mum is improving @Sisublondie?
My mum is not keen on leaving the flat atm...tricky.
I hope your ds will be ok tonight. Dd went to a show at her old school back in October and she was really in a really odd mood afterwards 🤔
I'll be glad when it's the weekend and everyone is finished for Christmas 🎄
Not gonna lie, I'll be glad to see the back of this year!

Placement sorted to start second week of term.
Should be OK but won't directly lead to job and a 7:30am start(!)
However only 10mins away, and will help with her fitness, and nice environment.

Merry Christmas all.

Very pleased to hear this!
Merry Christmas 🎄

Lovely news for Christmas. Hope it all goes well.

it’s been a great first term for DS. He’s really enjoying his course, made some new friends and has a part time job. It’s a world away from the misery that was year 11.

Happy Christmas fellow BTEC-ers (and other vocational courses!)

Happy Christmas to all!

Assignments all in, homework up to date, DD super happy... and so now college have decided to issue a new timetable for next year that is utterly ridiculous (think lessons starting at 9am and then 4 hour gap and last lesson ending at 6pm).

Just once I was hoping for an educational establishment where I didn't have to be THAT parent. All DD's class have emailed in to complain about the changes... no idea if it will work, but with an almost 2 hour commute each day it makes it incredibly long days with vast amounts of time hanging around between lessons.

Happy Christmas one and all and a happy and healthy New Year.
DS has quite a lot of work to do over Christmas (he's done some) and an assessment in early Jan. He's fairly motivated but I think we'll avoid talking about it until New Year's Day.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS 🎄 everybody!!!!!

I hope that you, and your DC, are all having as superb a day as you can! And are enjoying a break from work in all respects! 🎄🎉💖🎄

@swampwitch0

Hey! I just saw my reply re school function isn’t posted!!! I had it a few times on our old thread where it won’t post and glitches..but then does…. I thought it had happened here, but, no- sorry! … So annoying!!!

So!- the school went so well. Thank you! I think I must have been more nervous than he was… he dressed in his favourite shirt and was in a rare, bouncy mood.. held his head high….. Didn’t tell me about running into Bully No1 until we were on way home…. ( he had continued talking to the friend he was with, and not got upset and left)….. and, the best bit, came up to me when I was chatting to the Head, happily telling him about how he is getting on, and posing for a “ blokey” photo with him! Which would have been unheard of six months ago! Oh, the relief! I’m sorry your DD’s return wasn’t similar. Did she ever say what had “ affected “ her? .. Is that her last opportunity to go back?

How has your mum been? Has she left the flat now the holidays has started? I have brought mine to my house for a few days, then taking her back when we go for her results on Jan 2. Funny how many adverts are on for things you are worrying about…… ( dementia ones, in this case).

How is your Christmas going?! Not long till the end of the year!! Almost there!!! 🌟🙏💗

Happy Boxing Day!
It is so nice hearing how well college is going for some for whom school was not so positive.

Happy boxing day all 🎄
I'm in bed eating pannetone 😊
I need to make scones for later (hosting family)
Had a nice day yesterday - I got some lovely gifts and everyone was happy with theirs 😊
@Sisublondie I'm not sure re: dd and her old school. I think she saw some people she didn't like/bullied her, so it wasn't a nice experience. She didn't tell me until we were home, though. We could have left 🤷‍♀️
It's a glorious sunny day here 😎

Happy “Twixmas”.. ( is that really a thing?! I just read it!!) …
How are your DC coping first big holiday off? Any have work to do?. Missing it? When are yours due back?

@swampwitch0
… how was your Pannetone?! Not cracked ours open yet! BIL ( Italian) arrives tomorrow, and my Sainsbury’s one isn’t going to cut it! 😈😹… How did your scones go?! Plain?! Fruit?! Or, fancy?! At DS19’s NT they handmade rhubarb ones…. Gorgeous!!!!

High five on your present haul! Happy your recipients were impressed! Score! I had probably-should-have-predicted event with DS….. I was excited ( and relieved!) that I had managed to both a-remember and b- obtain before the “limited editions” sold out, of a hoodie and LP/ vinyl he had sent a link to…… not cheap…… But. Hey! Better than a meltdown screwing up going off piste…… What I got was a bemused, bordering on confused look at the album…… “ you know I already have Breach”… (or, whatever it was)…
“ Well, yes, yes, I do, as I got skanked for that for your birthday in September, but you implored how you couldn’t live without this one”……… And, the hoodie? Well, wasn’t even unbagged, just got a cursory glance and a “ I’ll look at it later, see if I like it”……. Out of time to return, so more crap for me to get round to eBaying!! 🤷‍♀️🙄😹!!

Hope your sunny weather continued?! 🌟

@TeenToTwenties..

Happy Holidays! I hope you’re managing to relax….
Yes, I totally agree on the college v bad experience at school DC…. Absolute blessing in comparison to last Christmas holidays!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!!!! 🌟🌟🌟

@SisublondieWell...it wasn't the pannetone I like, but dd1 had remembered I looked at one in the deli and told dh (who got the wrong one) so the idea was sweet. And it's pannetone, so it's fine 🙂
I make plain scones but they are rather good (guests always ask to take some home...)
I bought baileys cream this year which we haven't used yet...I think I'll tuck in later.
We call this time of year "crimbo limbo" in my house 😁
Dd1 is now away with her bf til NY.
Dd is going to see a friend later today.
I'd really like to do something different next year...but dh and dds won't be keen 😬
I think I'm just tired from all the hosting.

Happy new year folks! 🥂✨️

Happy New Year!!! 🥳 🍾 🥳✨🥳!!!!

I think we all deserve a high five for getting our DC through first term of BTEC!! Whoo- Hoo!!! 💗🥳….!

Got the Bailey’s out, yet?! I do hope so! My Italian BILL is happily into the Pannetone, sadly not Deli bought,but chocolate and hazelnut, so all good! Was it the lemon one which had caught your eye?!

Hosting! Well, it’s not been as bad as I feared, ibto week 2!, but I have to say, I literally have only been alone asleep ( or popping to bathroom!), so I’d be behibdvob work insult even if the village WiFi hadn’t been crap! Hey ho!!!

Due to snow where DS19 is ( he’s at a college friends) in 21 minutes……….❄️❄️❄️! Any sign for you?! Hope you’re getting some chilling, in!!! Maybe a cheeky scone.. ( love them! 💕)!

@swampwitch0…… see! Typos!!! Whilst in the kitchen, pseudo dishwasher sorting! Sorry! .. “ I’d be behind in work emails even if…..”!

No snow here yet...
May get some tomorrow ❄️

Happy New Year!

Was just thinking, we are four months in, the year ends for us at the end of June - so only 6 months left of Year 1. Plus things start to pick up mood and weatherwise by March - I really like April to July.
Hoping DS will make some friends he can see outside of college (things seem to get quiet in the holidays) and I hope he keeps enjoying his course. A whole world better than this time last year and those dreaded GCSEs looming.

Happy New Year to everyone!
The relief to have no GCSEs looming is amazing - so happy that is done and dusted.

Hope everyone had a good xmas and NYE and here's to term 2...

I've just watched the stranger things finale 👀
It's odd when something you've watched for so long ends...I feel a bit sad 😳
I'm planning to watch the ballad of Wallace island later ...its been on my list for a while 😊
I was just talking to dd - she's currently playing minecraft on her PC and she told me she last played it over a year ago - I told her that she probably stopped due to gcse prep and we both shuddered! 😬
I hope you've all had a gentle start to 2026.
Dd goes back on Wednesday but may go in early as she has some stuff to catch up on.
I think there may be profiteroles in the fridge calling me....🍨😊