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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:
SugarPlumTree · 28/09/2015 14:22

Thank you both Smile

Excellent news on the driving theory Kez Another big thing ticked off for him.

Tween that all sounds very positive. It is a bit of a learning curve on the standing back front I think. How is DD finding the social side of it?

DD was a bit nervous today as her first proper week in photography. Had n email this morning t say she was working during her free and wants to get a job on Saturday as has worked out this shoud fit around her workload.

Ordered a student railcard with Tesco Clubcard vouchers this morning.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 28/09/2015 14:44

Kez Driving theory, very impressed. DD only turned 16 in the holidays so it is a long way away for her still.

Sugar
DD struggles with socialising. She is however making friends with people who make use of a special pastoral care area, so that's good. OK so far I think.

(We're staying away from jobs until after January when she is in a pantomime for 3 weeks.)

DD is doing the college open day at the w/e. To get in on time by train she'll have to leave ridiculously early, so I got her to email seeing if she can be a bit late. Otherwise I'll need to drive her, but also drag little sister out too.

DD's been mentioning seeing the photography students out and about snapping pictures. Maybe she's seen yours?

OP posts:
SugarPlumTree · 28/09/2015 15:56

I remembered you saying she struggled and feel for you both as DD did and DS does a bit now. That does sound encouraging, it does take time. DD has been very lucky and gone with some good friends from school so a security blanket for her.

I don't think she's gone in with her camera yet as only started Wednesday then that was it for the week apart from maths. But they are doing student life so suspect your DD will see her soon !

That is very good that your DD is doing the open day. I would be not keen on driving in on Saturday so can totally see where you are coming from.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 28/09/2015 16:23

I don't mind driving in per se, but DH is away that w/e and DD2 is too young to leave for so long. Just that to be in by 8:30 she'd need to leave soon after 7 as there is a 30min wait for connection at S'oton, and that's ridiculous.

Is the maths your DD doing a retake or AS?

OP posts:
SugarPlumTree · 28/09/2015 16:36

Goodness yes, that would be a pain. It's quite an adjustment to the travel and length of day during the week without early start on Saturday.

DD is resitting Maths GCSE but not until the summer. She's having to sort herself out a bit as needs to get to places to doo her homework. Half day Thursday worked well last week as she caught train into Bournemouth and got shots of the pier. Yesterday I took her to boat yard so she could do the rest, then there was a slightly tense last minute printing situation.

Kez100 · 28/09/2015 18:49

It's really exciting having others go through BTEC photography. My DD had a ball and I just hope your DC s love it as much.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 28/09/2015 18:57

I'm just excited to find others who are doing BTECs. Smile It's nice to know we're not the only ones who don't view anything less than A*AA followed by top 10 university as failure!

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SugarPlumTree · 28/09/2015 19:12

Have to admit, I'm finding the photography quite exciting ! Think I was annoying DD with my suggestions for shots by end of our trip on Sunday.

Very grateful to you for having started this thread T&T. I'm so relieved DD isn't doing A levels as I think she would have struggled. Always felt 6th form will be the time she comes into her own with the right course, fingers crossed this is the one.

Lovely to have the support of those who have gone through BTECS with DC to give us a guiding hand Smile

troutsprout · 29/09/2015 08:15

Ds started on the A level route and then switched to BTEC applied science (forensics) after 3 weeks. . I was worried at the time but it was brilliant for him. Constant assignments with no let up (particularly at the end)..but really good. It was an excellent 2 years.
He enrolled at uni at the weekend on a forensic science course . Smile He even got enough ( DDM ) to trigger an automatic scolarship.
What I hadn't really thought about was how the btec skills stand them in good stead for uni.. When we went around on uni open days, I realised he already had a lot of the specialist skills needed for the course under his belt.
Good luck to all of your kids.. Hope they are enjoying their courses??

Kez100 · 29/09/2015 12:53

The problem with offering image advice is - we are thinking "oh, doesn't that blue lake look nice against the green park" whereas they are thinking "the brief is mother nature so I must include wildlife, park, lake and the sun in my image to meet the brief". I was forever being told to shut up! Now I don't even see her outcomes until she comes home in the holidays. I'm finding it difficult because she is specialising in her own passions and I'm having to let her get on with it, whilst I know the world of portraiture and event photography has lost a talent.

I also hope they are all enjoying their courses. My son seems to be settling into year two ICT, although assignment setting starts next week I understand.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 29/09/2015 21:03

Not so good today. Dyspraxia disorganisation has hit. Sad

  • Did wrong Spanish HW as got confused on instructions
  • Missed a Spanish HW being set due to missing Fri lesson (due to legitimate reason), forgot to catch up yesterday and missed today's (first of 2) lesson also due to timetable clash. On the electronic site it says 'next week' for HW and she doesn't know if that was last weeks next week or this weeks next week. (ie HW may be due tomorrow).
  • And she's not feeling well and it's got to borderline book to see a doctor (which is why I didn't insist she did the HW tonight)

Have noted down for her to discuss with learning support on next scheduled meeting.

OP posts:
SugarPlumTree · 30/09/2015 06:54

Oh T&T I'm sorry Flowers DD was saying that College have said the first term is the hardest. It is a lot to take on board plus the travelling. If she's like DD the Dyspraxia kicks in far more when tired or ill so I think a bit inevitable at the moment. Hope she is on the mend very soon.

Kez my mouth is firmly sealed from now on ! I have noticed she is starting to develop her own particular style which is intestesting to watch.

SugarPlumTree · 30/09/2015 06:56

DD is very tired at the moment. She has one free Monday to Wednesday at the moment and finding it quite tough.

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 30/09/2015 10:05

Is your DD Dyspraxic too Sugar ? You're right the clumsiness and disorganisation do get worse when ill or tired.

Wed is DD's toughest day, no frees at all, but otherwise has at least a double free each day.

They are going to switch over to a cash-free system at DD's college. I spent 5 years with DD never checking her balance at school to see if she needed topping up. I've told DD we are now transferring money to her bank account every month and it will be up to her to look after the college account. The look of horror on her face! But she does have to learn sometime, and she can always go to the village for something instead so she won't starve.

OP posts:
SugarPlumTree · 30/09/2015 13:07

Ooo, good idea, I wasn't aware of that. Sent her in with cheque for studio fees and money for note books.

She does have Dyspraxia and was badly affected when little but she had a lot of intervention - SALT, OT, Physio etc and over the years things have improved a lot to the extent I don't think current College are aware. But danger points are stress and tiredness so will need to keep an eye on her.

Kez100 · 30/09/2015 15:02

Oh no teenandtween :(

SugarPlumTree · 06/10/2015 13:25

How are they all doing ? DD was sick again yesterday, lots going around. She's already catching up as started late but I'm trying not to worry too much .

Bus didn't come this morning so DH ended up taking her. It might have come eventually, I saw lots of unhappy looking students over half an hour later who were clearly waiting. It might have turned up eventually, accidents on the road caused gridlock this mornings so guess it was stuck for ages. We need a plan in case it happens again.

Kez100 · 07/10/2015 23:13

DS seems fine. No assignments yet but lots of hexadecimal binary practice. Who said BTEC s were easy??????

SugarPlumTree · 08/10/2015 07:05

That sounds very technical! DD pleased as they are learning how to use a DLSR and how to annotate photos property. Struggled with the annotation a bit at GCSE as they weren't taught how to do it properly .

Kez100 · 08/10/2015 15:18

It's good they get the chance to really get their head around a DSLR at college as if they go to Uni the workload is so intense it would be a bit of a baptism of fire. My DD has just been set 7 projects, 2 essays and a website to part design before Xmas!

Kez100 · 08/10/2015 15:19

Is she enjoying the move to photography?

SugarPlumTree · 08/10/2015 16:13

Flipping heck, I feel tired just reading that Kez ! She is definitely glad she has switched.

She's found her arty side helpful as one of the Lecturers is very arty and has had them sketching and making collages. She did say she is rethinking University and might look at photography rather than film. Travel still wearing her out a bit but hopefully another few weeks and she'll have adjusted.

Are everyone else's DC on a fairly even keel?

Original poster
TeenAndTween · 08/10/2015 16:51

DD seems to be doing OK (crosses fingers). A few blips on the organisation front, mainly around online homework for her AS, and remembering to go to random things on time.

She's also been ill, necessitating trip to doctor and medicine, but recovered now.

First assignment bounced back for re-work, but apparently three quarters had to make updates so probably nothing to worry about yet.

So, generally positive, and so far I'm very happy with course and college.

Kez There are 10 types of people in the world, those that understand binary and those that don't.
I like hexadecimal, it makes it look like I'm only 30! Smile

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SugarPlumTree · 08/10/2015 17:52

Sorry to hear she's been unwell T&T, definitely a lot around. That is all sounding positive Smile

Could I pick your brains as think DD is spinning me a line. She's trying to tell me that they don't have personal tutors as of this year. She also said the College are trying to get them to go to talks on Universities. I said she should go, she said she could just ask her friends. I said no, she will need college support with applications then next minute she said they are aimed at second years and on a Monday when she has no frees and on Fridays when she's not in. I believe zero of any of the above but thought I'd check that I'm not doing her a disservice! Thanks and sorry to ask.

stayathomegardener · 08/10/2015 18:39

Hello, can I join?
Great idea TeenandTween, I remember you from the GCSE thread!

DD doing a BTEC in Photography.
Started at one college and hated it so moved after the first week, much prefers the new college but struggling with anxiety with all the changes, bus etc.
Assignments have just been given out in four areas, some have multitasks meaning 18 different shoots/projects.
Thank goodness she has till early December to submit.
Interestingly she seems to have more work than the A level students but the way it is structured suits her far better.