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.

Sorry, hit send too soon!
Mums not great. How's your mum?
She has a drs appointment tomorrow and has agreed to the tests the hospital wanted her to have.
She's skin and bone tbh 😕

@Raven08Oh noooooo…. Sadly, I know what you mean re the skin and bones. The lowest point is showering her.. 😿. It’s SO good your Mum has agreed to having the tests recommended! Will it be a long wait, or will they be done at the appointment?

So sorry that DD1 is still 😿 💔…. It’s gut wrenching first time round………. Bless her… 🤗 x

We had a very long and lovely appointment with new Dr, did initial Parkinson’s test.., said they were indicative of “ Parkinsons-esque”, ( that wasn’t it!) and so been referred for another brain scan which should be conclusive . The Alz and Vascular D still ticking along.

Anyway! Good Luck at the appointment!

Sorry to hear of ongoing mum issues, it's all such a worry, isn't it?

My mum is ok but I'm having friends go through it, and it's constantly on their minds.
Nice and somewhat unexpected to have this thread to share things like this.
I hope everyone feels comfortable joining in, be it family problems or BTEC blues/<what colour is for good things? golds?>.

Good luck to all with upcoming exams this month - when do you all finish for the summer, we are end of June.

@LarkspurLane
Dd finishes officially on 3rd July but 🤷‍♀️
Deadline for last project is 22nd ( in 2 weeks)
No idea what she'll be doing from then til 3rd july!

My DD also finishes at the end of June. Her final major project is due this Friday and then next week they have said that students who have passed can "work remotely". (If they are at risk of not passing they need to go in every day to work on it.) Not sure what she will be working remotely on? Also what will they be doing until the end of June? I guess we will find out.

So glad no GCSE resits are needed here, all the best to those facing them. Also sending good wishes to those supporting elderly parents, tough times.

Rework to get things up a grade, or catchup on overdue assignments, or being told she isn't needed in.

Thanks @TeenToTwenties

There's a trip to London 1st week in June I think

Just asked DS what he'll be doing at college after half term and he thinks "not much". Maybe one assignment resubmission.
There was a bit of talk of doing some revision here but he managed to talk himself out of it!

I went to get update as to “ when he breaks up” and take in a past paper….. but DS has gone off on a walk! Which is good, I guess!… provided he does something constructive when back!!

@LarkspurLane Thank you for kind words …. I admit I used to try to change channel at “ Alzheimer’s “ adverts thinking it was too grim… but, now I’m there myself. It is weirdly comforting to know that many more are going through similar .. and any plethora of issues. I find it grounding when BTEC assignments / due?/ overdue?/ WE…. Or project?!/ Revision/… whatever makes me want to scream and I see the wider picture, so to speak!

Thank you, re exams! We “just” have English. He was only 9 points off last year. He was doing really well first/ second term in English classes.. I fear his foot is fully off the pedal now, tho…..🤔🤷‍♀️🙀.

So, end of June, not far, now! Do you have much left to do before then? Any summer plans?

@Raven083rd July! Literally Independence Day, almost, then!! 😹..

DS seems to be suggesting that once he gets his final assignment in, he doesn’t have to bother going again?!

Trip to London….. yay!! Is that anything to do with her project?

An, very good points…. Thank you! 🤩

Bless them! What date is his first exam, again? Isn’t it this month? 21st for us, I think.

It looks like maybe most of our DC have not had it communicated to them about end of year structure or routine….? ( well, either that or it has not been communicated to us!) 😹

Thank you for the exam ( and mum) best wishes 😸… Luckily we have Maths, so “ just” got to nail pesky English. Not great with a ND DS who is very black and white as to what he will probably never use (!)..

Good Luck with your DD project!! 🍀🍀🍀

He has two exams next week (Thurs and Fri) I think and one the week after.
I think they are doing nothing but revision at college right now. I hope so, as there is nothing happening at home!
He can retake these exams, so although it would be some extra work next year, at least it's an option.

Good luck with English, I know a couple of people retaking that, so I know how stressful it is. Is one before and one after half term?

Very best of luck to those dc re-sitting maths and English 🍀
@Sisublondieits a trip to London Fashion Week.
The shop that dd works in is closing 😕
Such a shame. I think the owner is moving away.

We are supposed to be going away during half term...I feel very unprepared.

Yay to London Fashion Week !! 👗 👖 🥿! But, how sad about the shop…. What a shame. I hope she is able to find somewhere else…… x

Good luck!! UK or abroad?! Ooooh, I bet it will be perfect once you get there!! ( saying that, I’m off to Cornwall first thing Friday. Haven’t packed and am in work tomorrow, late night too. Deeply unprepared!)… 😵‍💫

Oh yes, let’s hope there is a ton of in college revision going on!! I do hope you don’t need the retake option next year…. 🍀……

I think AQA English is 21 May, and 5 June, so, yes, before and after… I do keep saying “ come on.. in three weeks or so, all over!”….. but to no avail, and today DS had first meltdown this year. ‘‘Twas not a good afternoon and eve……😿.

Good luck to any resitters!

DD has finished all her assignments for Y1 - how is it possibly that first year is nearly done already???

Course isn't a great match for her and she's bored now she's finished and final term seems to be mainly people doing resits or being dragged through the assignments for first time. But seems to have plenty of friends so is at least some kind of structure and social life.

Finishes mid July so am trying to think up activities to solve the 'I have nothing to do...'

Yes good luck to rhe resitters.
We gave up with English Lang GCSE and did Functional Skills independently.
But DD passed her resit maths last year to great relief all round.

There are certainly some pupils in dds class that will need to do lots of work to pass the 1st year
She knows a couple of people in the other group who are moving courses next year
Thank goodness the bloody costuming for the drana dept will be finished tomorrow 🙌

I was going to ask how that’s going!!! Good luck with the final push!!

DS said a couple of people on his course caught using ChatGPT!! 🙀

@Sisublondie
Oh, Lordy 😲
Why do they do it? Sigh. All schools/colleges/universities use AI detection software 🤷‍♀️
Apparently the new malpractice in exams is wearing meta glasses 😲