GCSE

[beepybops]

My daughter is in year 11. am I entitled to withdraw her from her Art GCSE. she is doing a further 12 GCSE's including higher maths, triple science and 2 ict exams. The Art GCSE is proving time consuming and now detrimental to her other subjects, this is causing her and us a lot of stress and worry.

[nagynolonger]

What will she do instead where art is timetabled?

[mummytime]

You need to talk to the school.

[nagynolonger]

One of my sons did drop art gcse. He was allowed to do extra english with staff from SEN dept because he was statemented for dyslexia. It worked well for him but it was several years ago he's 27 now.

[beepybops]

She could study in the library for her other subjects. Or if this was not possible sit in the Art room using the time constructively to revise for her other subjects.

[beepybops]

I have a meeting with the school next week and wondered if I am entitled to stop her taking the exam at the end of year 11

[nagynolonger]

There is no harm in asking but school might not let her for fear of others wanting to do the same. One doing some private study might be OK but several in the library might not be.

[beepybops]

I understand what you are saying but there are few other children doing as many GCSE'S as my daughter. If she did have to continue with her Art lessons would I be entitled to stop her doing the exam at the end.

[nagynolonger]

Really don't know what rights you have. In the end she can make the final choice by simply not turning up on the exam day.......but then she might get a 'U' on her certificate and that would not look good.

[beepybops]

That would also not look good in the schools overall results, so hopefully it would not come to that.

[Mutteroo]

I have no idea why so many schools expect pupils to study so many GCSEs anyway? V grateful my DC went to schools were 9/10 were the norm unless you had some kind of SEN & you could drop a subject. Anyway I digress... Both DC did GCSE art. DD was struggling with education in general & so dropping art was the best option for her. DS gained a B grade when he was predicted C/D. He put in minimal effort & it is possible to treat it as a 'if I pass, then I pass' subject unless your DD is a perfectionist. May be more difficult if that's the case!!

[TheBuskersDog]

Presumably your daughter is doing maths, English, sciences plus her option subjects which include art - so 10 GCSEs? Then presumably some ICT and citizenship type lessons which may also be examined.
To be honest this sounds fairly typical and I cannot imagine many schools letting children drop GCSEs so that they have free lessons on their time-table. I don't think a teacher would particularly want a child dropping their class and then sitting in their lesson revising for other subjects. They usually let pupils change to another option that fits into their time-table, but not a whole year in.