BTEC/T level/other vocational 25/26 - part 2

[BTECnewbie]

New thread for those of us with DC doing vocational courses (and for those with DC looking for an alternative to A levels next year and looking for advice).

My DC is currently doing a level 3 extended diploma. He struggled academically at school and was pretty miserable in year 11. With a lot of hard work he got the grades needed for the level 3 BTEC and is now thriving at college.

My DD is 'post BTEC' (having done 3 years of Animal Care with a break midway) and is now doing a Supported Internship (for those with EHCPs as support into work). I dropped her this morning for yet another very wet day on her outdoors weekly work placement. 3 out of 4 have been tipping it down so far!

Hi @btecnewbie
Thanks so much for the new thread ✨️
My dd is in her first year of a level 3 extended btec diploma at a large FE college.
She's enjoying it, but its deadline for her first piece of work this week so 🤞
She's hoping for a merit for this one.
They've already started the next project which she seems very excit

Oops! Sorry, its swampwitch here! 👋😊

Hi all. I'm over from the old thread - and have managed to keep the same name!
DS is in his first year of a Level 3 IT BTEC.
He struggled with seeing the point of school, even though he is quite academically able and so far much more suited to the deadlines and style of college life. No uniforms is a biggie!

Thanks for the new thread!

This year is not starting well for us... they've been back for a month and so far:
Week 1 - cancelled for week long inset week
Week 2 - normal but loads of mess over the new timetables
Week 3 - no teaching due to strikes
Week 4 - no teaching due to strikes
Week 5 - hopefully this week actually happens.

DD submitted first assignment before Xmas, apparently half the course haven't bothered. Nobody has marked it and DD no longer has that teacher (not sure he's even still there).

I am fuming as we really wanted the marks and comments back on this before the next ones are due to see where she sits - she's aiming for Distinctions on everything, but is very SEN so is having to really put in the work to try and get those.

Currently sitting on my hands and trying to let her sort things...

Thanks for the new thread.

DD seems to have a nasty rash on the back of her neck and we think it is from wearing her lanyard. Could she be allergic to it? Any suggestions? She is wearing a roll neck jumper today but obviously not a long term solution!

What is it made of?
Or is it the dye?

@OhCrumbsWhereNow
That sounds dreadful!
Dd has just informed me she's not at college next t week as its "assessment week" (?) First I've heard of it!
Things are pretty rubbish here...my mum is ill in hospital so in between visiting/supporting dd1 and dd2 I'm fairly shattered 😕

sounds tough @Raven08 sending unmumsnetty hugs

It's a plastic lanyard, DH has managed to wrap some fabric around it but when I suggested perhaps she could ask for a different way to display her ID (people get into trouble for having it in a pocket apparently) she says she doesn't want to stand out or be different. Sigh. She is also refusing to go to a pharmacist to see if there is any cream which would help. It has been very slowly improving so I guess I will keep an eye on it.

@OhCrumbsWhereNow hope college sort out the marking and strikes soon, sounds very frustrating! @LarkspurLane My DD also really appreciates no more uniform, her school used to be absurdly strict - even about socks!

Half term soon, has anybody got any plans? We are going on a european city minibreak so I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully it won't rain the whole time!

@OhCrumbsWhereNow
What about a funky lanyard? I got dd1 a game of thrones one when she was at FE college 😊
I think the past few days have made me see hust how untenable rhe situation with mum is tbh.
Some tough conversations ahead

Oh darling. I’m so, so sorry to hear about your Mum being in hospital? Is it “ dementia “ related ( if you don’t mind my asking). I only ask as you say about the situation becoming untenable… and I’m starting to think the same. ( I just don’t know whether there will be a massive deterioration) . Is she out, now? How close by is she? Oh, juggling it all, your poor brain must be imploding! Do you have siblings close by?

Just out in snow at mo, so may lose service before I finish!

Hi @Sisublondie
Thank you x
I think its just hit me that I've spent a decade basically allowing my siblings to do nothing 😕
Mum is now very frail, medically complex and I'm done.
The last time she almost died, she came home and my siblings just went back to their lives.
I'll speak to them once we know whats happening but...yeah. Feel like a bit of an idiot. I'd love to say mum is grateful but that wouldn't be true, sadly 😕
Several of mums sisters lives to past 90 with very bad health/disabilities.
I want to enjoy my next few years!

Hi folks 👋
Dds first piece was submitted yesterday 🙌
She seems happy with it - she's certainly happy its done!
Dd1 still struggling 😕
Mum still in hospital 😕
She actually has the next 2 weeks off as next week is "assessment week" -
I guess there is a lot to assess with over 50 on the course and a final piece and 4 workbooks to mark for each student 😬
Think dd has sorted her work experience - she's going to the more local option 😀

@Raven08
Whoo-Hoo to DD submitting her first piece!! Oh, she ( and you!!) must be so relieved !!

I’m really sorry that DD1 is still having such a rubbish time and struggling. Are any distractions helping? I find distraction techniques great… tho, there is an element of avoidance, I admit, sometimes 🙄! I do hope she finds something to take her mind off her loss, and cheer her up a bit… Two weeks off, mind! I guess the lecturers need the time to assess all those students. Excellent as to the work experience ! So, when …..?!

I’m so dreadfully sorry to hear that your Mum is still in hospital, but that she is also not doing well at all. And. First off, you are NOT an idiot. You are, and have been doing, the very best you can for your lovely Mum. Which must be beyond heinous if she’s unable to really get the sacrifices you are making for her. So, I’m guessing she’s had her initial diagnosis back then, and she’s got gradually worse….? Before she went into hospital this time, was she living independently? And, I’m guessing it fell to you initially, and gradually became convenient to everyone- apart from you- to continue her care. What an utter nightmare. So, yep, it looks like your plan is the best available right now. See where the land lies, so to speak, and take it from there with your siblings.

I am sending every positive thought and vibe there is, and 🤞 🙏💖for strength for you and your Mum. I hope she’s safe and comfortable, as best she can be. Please don’t neglect your own rest, though ( I hope you’re feeling better than earlier) … 🤗 xx

@Sisublondie
Thank you for your very kind message x
It is pretty much as you assume. I'm not sure what the future will look like wrt mum, but I forsee lots of pushback from siblings.
Hey ho.
Dd was feeling quite anxious last night wrt work experience and I think handing her first piece in has been quite stressful.
Older dd is just miserable 💔 and there is nothing I can do.
She is supposed to be away with friends next weekend and the weekend after and I feel very guilty admitting I'll be glad of the break 😕

@Raven08

Ok. Deep breaths. And, no, you have absolutely zero reason to feel guilty about looking forward to brief respite from the gloom. Look at it this way- this is a DD1’s problem that “Mummy” can’t solve as she’s not a little girl any more… thus, it’s outside your control which is like running up a down escalator. She’s probably teetering between hating everyone or crying right now, and the frustration this is that, try as you might, you simply can’t wave a 🪄 wand and kiss it better with this one. Which is beyond infuriating. I think you should use this respite on the horizon knowledge as literally light at the end of the tunnel when she next is short with you, or you are going round in circles, offering the same platitudes……. It will get better, I promise 💖…. Think of good, positive things that you can do whilst shes away, too. Plus, remember that bloody irritating ( but true!) saying…, “You can’t pour from an empty vessel? Cup? Something!!”… 🤗

How has DD’s weekend gone? Is she feeling more positive about her work experience? I found out just now that DS is off w/c 16th… haven’t yet ascertained what he’s meant to be up to during the week!

How is your Mum today? Have the hospital provided any updates? I am thinking of you. It’s so horrible that you’re going through all this. I’m also glad you have a break coming up! 😻

Wc 16th is half term for most, I think?
Dd seems ok. She's got a couple of things to do for college, and is starting her we on Wednesday.
No news on mum, but nothing happens at the weekend, and I'm taking no news as good news.
Hope everyone is coping with this awful weather is 😕

Weather is grim, isn’t it? Lots of flooding round here….

February Half Term is historically weird round here so not always in line with other parts of UK. I was starting to think he didn’t have one!

Hopefully the WE will be great… I can’t remember, does she have to travel into the city, or its local?

I hope news from the hospital will be positive when you hear… yes, all usually quiet at weekends. No news is good news 😻!

I've got an appointment tomorrow and no way of reaching it through the all
flooring 😬😕
WE is local, thank goodness!
I'm researching reablement packages atm - grim reading.
Apparently, its going to rain here until Friday 😫

Just checked mine! Ditto! Rain till Saturday then snow till Tuesday! (Well, it ends then….😹!). The flooding is wretched, and that is really crap that you won’t be able to get there! I’m guessing it’s not zoom-able! Hopefully it’s reschedule-able for in not too distant future…….( and hopefully not time critical!)… Yes, thankfully WE local 🤩!

Oh crikey, reablement packages…. ( I would be literally lost. I have attempted to find ‘basic’ assistance in my Mum’s area, on Alzheimer’s Society website ( as directed by her Dr)….. big fat zero. Sigh).

Good Luck with that- I hope you manage to find something suitable and possible for her 🍀.

How’s everyone doing this week?

@Raven08, so! How is DD’s work experience going?!
Any updates on your Mum?

Nothing interesting here, DS still waiting for his mock English results… and DS19 currently on layover waiting for next flight to Russian country for language school fun during his Uni reading week.

Still raining! 🙀😹

Ah, yes, the rain!
I did see my first crocuses today which cheered me up slightly ☺️🌱
Mum is much the same, but better than this time last week for sure.
Dd enjoyed her w/e. She decided to start making a quilt yesterday! So I've soent today walking gingerly around as she does shed pins 📌 liberally ☺️
Blimey, hope ds1 arrives safely and enjoys his experience 🙏
Dd has decided not to train to do her next hobby event. She is planning on training again for the event early next year.
I think its the right decision - she has SO much work to do for this course and she gets very stressed.
I'm sure the fomo will hit though!
It's assessment week at dds college, so after half term she should get her mark 😬

OK here, ready for half term.
DS has got himself a retail job and is going to be able to use that for his hours of work experience. He's working weekends but I think he can make it count. He is going to use his work experience week to work on assignments and do some exam prep (and go to the gym) if he can't pick up any extra shifts.
College is quite flexible and he has promised me that next year he will really try to get something course related.

Anyone watching Small prophets (I like that this group doesn't just talk about BTECs)? I am two episodes in and a bit unsure but quite hopeful it will be great.

I hope everyone is ok, it's so hard juggling needy teens and older parents, so I hope you all get a rest (if you have next week off).

DD has just done her first week with 2 days work experience instead of 1, and as it only rained a little bit didn't come back soaking wet for a change.

Could I ask how big the jump is from level 2 to level 3? Ds has an EHCP and currently doing a level 2 in IT. He got a 7 in gcse maths but took a few goes to get a pass in English and struggles with extended writing