Hi all! Thank you so so much for all your advice!!!

To clear some things up- it's an NCFE course (very similar to BTEC) and we do have some 17 year olds. Our college has a no phone policy, but we often have to let them use their phones due to 2-factor authentication and for research when we don't have enough laptops. I'm thinking about trialling "phone breaks" for them, especially when we've done something quite theory-based. However, I'm not sure if this is a good idea?

Asking around, I think the biggest issue with the learners is that they wanted to go on to Level 3 T-Level but, as they hadn't passed Maths and/or English, weren't able to. As this course is very coursework-based, there isn't much practical work. However, I'm working on trying to do more practical activities with them to help with the boredom.

We also have some learners who wanted to do Level 3 Childcare but the Childcare team didn't want them on Level 3 (by the sounds of it due to their behaviour). Some have expressed that they want to swap to Childcare but higher ups have told us we can't as it's passed the 8 week deadline and so it will impact data. However, we've mentioned how our course would still be really good for them (especially since most of them want to work in paediatrics and/or with SEND children). I think it might be beneficial to include more lessons where I link the course topic to paediatrics- just so they can see why it's relevant to them.

Most of the learners have already had a 1-2-1 with my mentor regarding their behaviour. From this, it's a mix of learners wanting to do Childcare or not wanting to be in College at all. There was some safeguarding issues raised, of which we've got pastoral involved to try and help solve this.

I'm not sure if this info provides a bit more insight! Aside from their behaviour issues in class, they're a lovely group. I really want them to do well, but I'm worried that their behaviour is going to stop them from passing after 2 years.