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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

BTECs starting 2015 - General support thread

692 replies

TeenAndTween · 26/08/2015 16:21

Is there anyone else around whose child is starting a BTEC rather than A levels? Should we stay on this board or move to Further Education?

My DD has enrolled for Travel & Tourism.

OP posts:
Original poster
TeenAndTween · 11/01/2016 17:27

eat Thank you, I will clarify with them.

OP posts:
eatyourveg · 11/01/2016 17:30

DD2 is doing double dance Btec for Y12 and 13... she says she can only get an A or C equivalent, there is no B level? is that right?

Yes there is no equivalent to a single B grade (ie 100 ucas points) but as she is doing the double it is equivalent to 2 A levels. If she gets DM that is equivalent to 2 Bs. PP would give her the equivalent of one C and MP would giver her one A grade at A level. See here When comparing it to A levels one A* = 140 A=120 B=100 C=80 D=60 E=40

GasLIghtShining · 12/01/2016 12:42

Teen My DS but he is agreeing with your DD but I am not sure I have explained it all properly especially after what eatyourveg has said. Certainly worth checking with the college

eat Hope your DS has found a placement

eatyourveg · 12/01/2016 13:28

Not yet Gas though it looks as though a university sports dept 90 minutes away might let him shadow the research students for some of the time. He's thinking of asking if he can stay in halls for a couple of nights rather than commute but I think he would much rather go to London. Personally I think he may end up having to up his hours in his coaching job and hope college ok it.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 12/01/2016 13:35

Good news (finally).
DD has completed her first 3 units with Pass, Pass and Merit. Smile

Not stella, but better than the Fail Fail Fail I was envisaging a couple of months back.
It seems she missed the Distinction for the Merit one by one stuttery phone call (role play). If that is the case I'll get her to ask if she can try again with no risk to the Merit.

OP posts:
SugarPlumTree · 12/01/2016 13:37

Fingers crossed for him eatyourveg.

I find the whole BTEC thing very confusing and don't feel comfortable with it at all. HSM that sounds like a very heavy load .

Photography definitely a mistake for DD (College have said it is a challenge for an organised person and she is not )but she's stuck with it now and is finally buckling down - but I think she may fail a module and be up the creek. Bit touch and go but she has two sessions with student support this week who is starting some more assessments on her and off to see the GP re assessment for ADD.if she can just scrape a pass this year then go onto do Japanese next year I will be happy.

HSMMaCM · 12/01/2016 14:57

T&T that sounds like hopeful news.

Sugar DD is almost certainly giving up an A level after she's done her AS exam.

SugarPlumTree · 12/01/2016 17:12

That sounds sensible HSM.

eatyourveg · 12/01/2016 19:35

Great start for the new term T&T for your DD - onwards and upwards!

SugarPlumTree · 12/01/2016 21:10

Really sorry T&T, I didn't see your very good news, how could I miss that - great news !! Smile

GasLIghtShining · 14/01/2016 23:13

Great news T & T

eatyourveg would it count if he coached in a different location so that it is not his normal role?

eatyourveg · 15/01/2016 08:32

Not sure Gas One of the weeks is during the Easter break and his work will be running a holiday club thing at a school in a nearby town so I think he'll end up there though it will not be any different to what he is doing at the two schools here. I've had another look at the rules and I think he might be able to get away with it.

He's found a place in Surrey doing a multisports camp which he's keen to do but it means bunking for a week on his brother's settee in London, catching a train, then one change and then a bus - this from a boy who has never been further than college on public transport! His gm has offered him her car if he can get around to taking his test - not sure which option is more daunting. Wink

GasLIghtShining · 15/01/2016 14:05

Although it is the same it is not his normal job so hopefully there is some leeway.

The multisport camp sounds good although I do understand you concerns about him getting there. My DS has managed Birmingham but that has no changes and when he went to London it was with big sis.

Don't start me on cars. Petrified. He is having lessons and DH has taken him out but I haven't plucked up the courage yet. When DD was learning I used to make her drive everywhere but she is much more sensible

SugarPlumTree · 15/01/2016 14:16

Fingers crossed Eatyourveg. Fully get the transport worry but I've found though if they are motivated to do it they will cope. DD was awful with things like that before she went last summer but coped in a foreign country on the subway and buses to my amazement last summer.

Driving isn't happening here as she has decided her concentration isn't good enough so that is one nail biting experience I'm saved for now.

SugarPlumTree · 15/01/2016 14:18

DD had dentist this morning as cat ate her retainer. I then dropped her at station as she wanted to go in to use the darkroom, despite no lessons today. Have to say, really pleased with shift in attitude this week and amount of effort and hope it continues.

HSMMaCM · 15/01/2016 15:02

Cat ate her retainer Grin. Is that like the dog ate my homework ?

SugarPlumTree · 15/01/2016 16:01

Well the retainer instructions said not to let the dog chew the retainer and we have had one of the cats eating homework before, mayhem in this house ShockGrin

HSMMaCM · 20/01/2016 12:00

DD has just been thrown out of Btec dance because of the cartilage piercing she got before Christmas. She can't take it out until April. I think they are going to say take it out or else. Their policy says remove not cover apparently. Sad

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 20/01/2016 12:06

HSM What a pain. Will she take it out happily, or dig her heels in?

(and didn't she know this already?)

OP posts:
HSMMaCM · 20/01/2016 13:08

She definitely won't take it out happily. She had taken tape to cover it, but whether she knew it was remove or else in the policy or whether she thought it was ok to cover I'm not sure. Unfortunately the person who told her to take it out was head of department, so she can't even appeal. I've left it with her to deal with. I have said I will come and speak to the teacher of necessary, but can't see how that would help.

SugarPlumTree · 20/01/2016 14:24

Oh dear HSM, another thing to deal with. I'm very ignorant about the hazards of piercings but think by this age a little flexibility is needed from School/College and if covering it makes it safe then I can't see the harm.

There seems to be a big difference in what various institutions will and won't accept.

GasLIghtShining · 20/01/2016 20:11

Bloody hell HSM. I imagine a lot will rest on whether she knew or not. Not sure whether you want to try appealing or not but if it's the HOD can it be referred to deputy principal.

There could be separate rules for different departments. May not be allowed in sports/dance but business studies could be ok. Football rules do not allow for jewellery or taping at all (including the ref although the ref is allowed a watch!)

HSMMaCM · 20/01/2016 21:04

She's allowed to have the piercing for college, but not allowed to have one at all for dance, even if it's taped apparently. She has an assessment next month , before she can remove it). She can't home half devastated and half "what are they gonna do? Chuck me off the course?"

It's that horrible thing about they're at college and should sort it out themselves, versus but she's only 16.

HSMMaCM · 20/01/2016 21:04
  • came
SugarPlumTree · 21/01/2016 14:07

Wine HSM is probably the answer to this. I don't dare drink as suspect if I start I'll never stop.

DD came up 'at risk' on Dyscalculia screening so further tests with view to extra time in maths resit, the dates for that arrived today.