Year 8 options

[OneMoreMum]

DS's school has decided to do GCSEs over 3 years, meaning he has to choose his options now.

Since he is reasonably bright I think he will be expected to follow a path that includes the EBacc subjects, that means he will do:
English Language and Literature, Maths, History or Geography, a language and science (since he is top set this should be the 3 seperate sciences).

By my reckoning that's 8 academic GCSEs, he then gets 3 more options, whih include the other humanity and languages not already in the above, plus arts subjects, ICT, media, sociology etc and various BTECs.

I think it's important he buys into the decision so, considering the 8 core GCSEs are all in 'hard' subjects, should I let him have more or less free reign on the 3 options, or since he has no specific career plans as yet will that limit future careers / university entrance? How many academic GCSEs are actually necessary / counted?

[RaspberryLemonPavlova]

Although I think options this early are awful, he is getting more choices than if it was at the end of Year 9. In effect he's got 5 and my DS had 4, some DCs have seem to have only 3 if they are doing triple.

Yes, I would be inclinded to let him do what he wants after that. Maybe not all the same ie Drama/Music/ Art as it is all creativity. My DS is doing Music. I've seen on another thread that someones DC is studying at Cambridge having done A level Drama so these subjects don't stop you getting onto courses.

I also think if they are doing options this early they need a rounded approach to things.

[OneMoreMum]

The triple science doesn't reduce his options because it's studied in the same amount of time as the double! And yes as this is the first year of year 8 options their year 9's are also choosing their options at the moment and they have one less choice.

We haven't been to the info evening yet so they may be encouraging everyone to do a 'soft' option to widen their experience but not necessarily their workload. Just wanted some options in advance so I could nudge in the appropriate direction.

[bruffin]

Are you sure he has all those options. DD yr9 only has 3 choices on top of core subjects which are maths,english, science, re, pshe and ict.

[OneMoreMum]

ICT is an option, not core, plus they seem to have one extra because they are choosing in year 8 not 9. Does sound like a lot though, and there are only a couple of truly Mickey Mouse options as far as I can see (Jamie Oliver cooking and some sort of Arts award).

[cricketballs]

other than the core/Ebacc subjects, the optional at GCSE do not have any bearing on uni applications no matter how often some 'misinformed' people try to suggest they do.

My advise would be to let him choose - he's the one who has got to spend the next 3 years studying the subjects

[Yellowtip]

More or less free reign sounds just right.

[OneMoreMum]

Ok it turns out they are not teaching triple science in the same time as double any more (printing error in the booklet).

So his options are a languge, a humanity, citizenship or philosophy & ethics, triple science then 2 'proper' free choices.

Out of the subjects he has any interest the first block has art, graphic products & product design, second one IT, media studies, psychology, law and sociology. Any experience on workload / difficulty would be appreciated.