Extra GCSE's, independent study. Possible?

[Viewofthehills]

DS very interested in computing. The school do a BTEC in ICT which he will have to do, but which does not appeal to him at all, as he particularly wants to do programming.
I've just looked at the OCR syllabus which specifies 30% controlled assessment, so is there any other syllabus or any way to do this independently of school?

And also, he's quite interested in Latin which school are teaching him for a taster course in G&T. Is it possible to do that independently?

His school offer 8 GCSE's plus short course RE (compulsory) plus the BTEC in ICT which I'm not sure Universities will rate very highly. It doesn't seem that many these days? He is in year 8 at the moment.

He wants to do Engineering at a 'Good' University' (his words). He finds school work easy and spends an excessive amount of time messing on his computer.

Any suggestions, ideas or information welcome!

[NewFerry]

No real advice on taking GCSEs independently, except that I remember looking into DS taking some GCSE courses at night school and FE college couldn't accept him as he was under 16. We went back and spoke to the school, and they managed to get him onto a self taught Microsoft course and one of the computer techies acted as as a mentor for him. In the end though he didn't finish the course as he got a bit bored.
If you can afford them, take a look at the smallpeice courses (I think they start Y9), they are excellent. And check out any local enrichment courses, for us, kilve courts in somerset was great at that age.

[flubba]

If you can get tutoring in Latin and Computing sorted, it's very likely that your school will allow you to use them as an exam centre. Speak to the exams officer at your son's school and see what they suggest. You'll probably have to pay the fee to enter him for it, and possibly any overheads towards admin, but they should be fairly accommodating (and may even know tutors who'll be able to guide him through them)

[creamteas]

As far as I am aware, most schools do not yet offer computer science GCSE, so as far as university entrance is concerned it wouldn't matter if it was BTEC or GCSE as neither are really relevant.

By all means let him pursue his interest in programming, but why make him take extra exams? If he is strong in Maths and can demonstrate knowledge of programming in his personal statement, that will be fine to get into a good uni.

Providing you have covered the core subjects (English, Maths, Science) and have 5-8 have good grades (depending on where you want to go), universities are not really interested in subjects. Subject choice at GCSE is really about keeping options open for A level. So whilst perusing academic interests is a good thing, sitting the exams is not necessary.

[Viewofthehills]

Thanks very much all. The OCR syllabus just looked like the sort of material he is interested in anyway and I felt an exam might motivate him as a goal.
Thanks for the Smallpeice tip- I'd never heard of them but will keep an eye on the site now for next year.
BTEC ICT is compulsory at his school- I am not convinced of it's value. My DD is halfway through the course now and finds it fairly frustrating. The teacher seems quite smug that otherwise high-performing students struggle to tick all the boxes to get a good grade. DS's class have for example used Scratch to do simple programming, but have been constrained by only being allowed a very restrictive set of commands. So what should have been enjoyable is anything but, because he can only get a sub- optimal result compared with what he knows is possible.
(This is what I understand from him, my own understanding of computers is pretty basic, which is why it's so useful to be able to ask all of you!)

[Shanghaidiva]

It is possible to take gcses independently. My ds took German last year, but I tutored him for the exam and he took igcse so no assessments involved. There are lots of past papers available foc on-line so exam preparation is relatively straightforward.

[SoggySummer]

Ah this is good to know that it can be done. DD loves latin and is flying in it but will be leaving her school next year and moving onto one that does not teach it. I was thinking it would be a shame for her to give it up seeing as she loves it and finds it "easy" (her words).

This is something I think I will look into when the time comes. Not sure how easy it will be to find a latin tutor though.

[Startail]

I think computing is something you learn by doing, not by passing exams.

DH is makes his living in the darkest recesses of IT, where hardware and programming meet.

His formal IT qualification is a one year MSc type course on top of a chemistry degree, lots of his colleagues were physicists or mathematicians. A lot of the structure underlying formal computing relies on maths that is A'level and beyond. This partly why university's don't ask for IT GCSE and end up re teaching stuff.

His real qualification though is messing with electronics from about 9 with the help of a family friend.

He's almost 50, our house is still full of pi's and similar mini processes computers, cabling and projects. There is no telling often where work ends and hobbies begin.

Have you any local 'home brew' clubs or similar electronics clubs.
Evidence of real enthusiasm may go further than a piece of paper, if he has good science and maths grades.

[almapudden]

I had a Latin tutor and used my school as an exam centre.

[lljkk]

I reckon...Independent study can work for Latin yes programming no (sorry).