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Secondary education

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

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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:

tothesideoftheirlives · 10/09/2015 11:18

Kez100 to the walking out of lessons.

DD actually loves being surrounded by countryside, but I feel a bit worried about how far away she'll be. It was walking distance to her previous school and I don't have a car.

There was a form to sign at enrollment saying I would pay any fees etc as there are no fees to pay, I queried this form and the woman pointed out I still had to sign it as there could be costs, for example if my DD caused damage driving a tractor into something!!!

sashh great info.

Kez100 · 10/09/2015 12:02

Don't worry, they are old enough to handle the distance and it helps their independence. I remember worrying about my DD as she went on public bus not a college one - what about winter if it snows?

We had the discussion and she said not to worry, she had friends on the course that lived in the city or there was a travelodge down the road. They start to think more independently now they are older.

My DS I've not worried about an all! Although, to be fair, he is on a college bus so there would be about 40 in the same predicament.

GasLIghtShining · 10/09/2015 21:21

The travelling will get easier as they get used to it. I imagine the stress of starting something new will be tiring

After about 13 weeks off my DS is pleased to be back and although Thursday is a whole day he has practical first thing which means virtually tripping out of the house and being at the sports centre so can have a lie in.

Original poster

TeenAndTween · 10/09/2015 21:38

DD stroked a wild pony today whilst out in the local village.

OP posts:

SugarPlumTree · 11/09/2015 20:41

DD tried that and it glared at her ! She is taken with the freshly made pizza at the local convenience store which she had as a treat yesterday .

There was some hassle on the bus yesterday which stressed her (and me) out but luckily nothing today. And she had some media lessons which she mostly enjoyed. She was shattered but perked up after food and has said she loves the freedom of it and wants to stay . Which is flipping good news !

I think I am liking the whole non communication thing, my inbox is quiet.

hunibuni · 12/09/2015 16:32

DS has his first set of assignments to be done for Monday, he is away to his mates to play footie His timetable is very different to last ear because he's in 4 days a week compared to 2.5 last year (2 9-5:30 and 1 90 minute classs)because they have far more experiments and lab work which require setting up etc. He might be there from 9-4 but he usually has a few hours in between classes and they are expeccted to log into the tech system and self study.

He usually asks to take my car (even thought he's only 10 min walk away ) so that he can disappear to one of his friends houses for lunch because that mum is kind and makes them lunch but in exchange he'll get DD from afterschool clubs because she finishes just after 4. I'm trying to persuade him to take her to her dance class but I was turned down I have to sy that he has grown up a lot over the summer and is definitely more confident than before. DH and I were all at how sensible all of his mates were when we went to a joint 18th where we knew everybody from primary school. One got really drunk and DH thought he would have to drive him home but all the mates got together, fed him water and pizza outside (in the fresh bracing sea air) and got him into a taxi as well as phoning his parents to let them know he was on his way home. Now if he would recognise that the girls who were chatting to him were trying to chat him up.... one of the girls was chatting to me in the loos and said that she couldn't believe he was that oblivious. Before I could answer my goddaughter (who is the same age as him and they have been friends since babyhood) burst out laughing and told her that unless you were prepared to come straight out and tell him that you wanted to go out with him he wouldn't notice just like his father

eatyourveg · 12/09/2015 20:18

I'm still waiting for ds to go back from the summer! He doesn't start until tuesday and that's just induction which is usually just tours of the library, ID photos, health and safety talks, a trip to the local uni and a team building thing which is always just a football match - lessons don't start until next monday - he'll have forgotten everything as they broke up 12 weeks ago

hunibuni · 12/09/2015 20:52

DS was off from the end of May because they don't have exams they tend to finish before everyone else.

tothesideoftheirlives · 14/09/2015 10:08

DD seemed pretty organised this morning for first proper day, then came the "can you ring my phone its in my room somewhere" which used to happen A LOT - eventually locate phone completely dead - give it ten minute charge, might be enough to send one text.

Finally DD sets off 7.15 for the bus stop laden down with waterproofs, steel toe capped boots, wellingtons, lunch, files..it looked like she was going for a couple of weeks. Apparently most of it will go in her locker so she won't need to carry it every day. Now won't see her until about 6.30 - strange as I'm used to her getting home about 3.30.

Kez100 · 14/09/2015 10:48

Yes, we have a 7-6 day when college is back. Husband does similar hours, so I find I fall into a similar pattern once my DD is back at University (which is next week) and not at home.

I find my DS is starving though, so I try and get tea ready for asap after he comes in.

GasLIghtShining · 14/09/2015 13:26

We are on out third amendment to the timetable. Nothing major but still a pain. Although DS is happy about the latest as the lesson has move back a couple of hours so extra time in bed

Kez100 · 14/09/2015 18:28

My DS has changed groups as there are three year two classes for his pathway. He sussed out where the better teaching was (in his opinion) and has wangled a move into that group. Hope he is right!

GasLIghtShining · 14/09/2015 19:12

Quiet often they moan about things but won't do anything about it so well done to your son for asking

thunderbird69 · 15/09/2015 09:24

What sort of bags do your DC use for college? My DS has been taking a small drawstring bag so far, but realises he needs something more substantial. I asked him what he wants but he doesn't know!
Any idea what is cool in bags for this age group?

Kez100 · 15/09/2015 11:27

My son has a Crosskase rucksack from Amazon. Its waterproof (necessary for the trip to/from the bus) and has a separate laptop compartment (which he needs as he takes a laptop most days) and phone and bottle holders. It wasn't cheap but its still fine for year two and it gets thrown around by him all the time.

thunderbird69 · 15/09/2015 12:41

Thanks Kez - I think he will just be using the college computers so won't need his own (I hope!), so I don't think he needs a laptop size bag

Original poster

TeenAndTween · 15/09/2015 19:51

DD uses the rucksack she had for school, but she isn't cool so that's no help!

She had a good day today. Actually got some work done in her 'free' sessions, and says she made some friends (which she finds hard).

We are spending twice as much as needed on text books so she can keep one set at college and one set at home so she can do minimum carrying, and also have things available in the right place.

There seems to be ample computers around the place so she won't need the 'notebook' she used to use at school.

OP posts:

SugarPlumTree · 15/09/2015 21:25

DD also using a rucksack. I thnk cool is a local thing, I noticed a difference with what the girls were using last year between two local schools.

I'm really pleased your DD had a good day T&T. Good she has made some friends, sorry she finds it hard. We've had issues on that front over the years. She doesn't seem to be particularly making friends in her classes but has 3 friends from school she has gone up with. She was taking selfish wih a donkey in her frees today so fair play to your DD for working !

HSMMaCM · 16/09/2015 13:48

DD is taking Btec dance alongside her A levels. She is beyond excited about not having an end of year exam. We have talked about how important each assignment is.

Kez100 · 16/09/2015 14:24

Does cool matter now they are 16/17? DS just wanted something practical that would work for him when he bought his bag last year. I think they tend to grow out of that sort of concern.

HSMMaCM · 16/09/2015 17:15

DD bought herself a rucksack for sixth form, but I suspect she'll be trading it in for a larger one soon.

thunderbird69 · 17/09/2015 15:58

I'm waiting for DS to enter the sensible and practical stage, he is still too concerned about how he looks!

I'm now concerned after him saying to me that he doesn't think the teachers on his course are any good and he's not learning anything. He has been given his first assignment, but says they have been given limited information and he doesn't know what the marking criteria are. He also doesn't think he has to work all the time when he's not at college (which is half the week!) he says he hasn't been told to do that. It's all so vague and there is no contact with parents.

I have now ordered him the text book for the course to see if that is any more help. I really hope he hasn't made a bad decision, choosing college over 6th form

Kez100 · 17/09/2015 16:44

As this is sixth form/college - call it what you will - this is the start of independence. He can ask the lecturer who set the work where he can find the assignment marking criteria. On my Dss assignments they were on the sheet with the work set. On my DD s they were at the back of the written brief. The work he needs to do should be listed in the handout/electronic worksheet.

He probably won't be told he has to work in frees, he just needs to if he is to do his best in his assignments. It's his call. My DSs mates who failed AS exams this summer weren't told either, never put the extra study in, and failed. It's the students choice as to how they want to perform now they are post 16. It's good skills to learn as they need them for work or for uni.

Now the assignment - if he thinks he hasn't covered the work, he should ask if it's being covered in any lessons and, if it is, good but, if not, he can ask what resources he needs to use to help him complete it.

Re: parents - they are likely to have a report and parents evening system but otherwise, yes, parents are rarely involved now post 16. If he has any SEN which means he might struggle with this then speak to the college as it might be different in that case.

thunderbird69 · 17/09/2015 18:09

No he doesn't have any SEN, he is just rather quiet and shy! I don't know if he sees the lecturer who set the work again, before it is due in, he hasn't shown me what he got given - but said it was just 1 sentence

My other DS is still at school and I see how their support and parent communication carries on into the 6th form, plus extra-curricular activities/trips etc. and it is so much different to college. I know it is only early days, but I'm quite disappointed so far.

Kez100 · 17/09/2015 18:48

Maybe it's just a starter for ten? So they've set something for him to research? It's difficult to guess knowing so little. I'm sure they arent trying to catch him out at all - that's in no one's best interests.

What is the subject of his course?

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