Options

[muddyangels123]

My 14 yr old DS2 is about to choose his options for G.C.S.E.
He hasn't a clue what he wants to do when he leaves education.
He attends an "outstanding" school where they only teach traditional subjects.
We have asked him what he wants to do and he says he doesn't know.
He's in the ACF (cadets), although he can't join up as a career, because of health issues.
How can we help him, make the right choice.

[Butterbur]

I think he needs to include English language, English Literature, Maths, physics, chemistry and biology (as separate subjects), a modern language, and at least one humanities subject.

Those are actually the rules from DSs' grammar school. It doesn't leave much choice, but make sure he includes subjects he enjoys, and subjects he is good at.

[muddyangels123]

Thanks,butterbur
The subjects you have listed he has to do anyway.
He can't decide between History & geography.
I think he will take French.
As for the other subjects, he hasn't a clue.
He's an all rounder so he likes all his subjects.
I do feel for him. It must be frustrating trying to make a choice with no clue as what you want to do.

[eatyourveg]

can he do history and geography or is it one or the other?

[muddyangels123]

Sorry, i've just collected DD from Brownies.
No, he can only do one or the other.

[Sanesometimes1]

Have you seen the thread(s) on the english bacclauret ( spelling?), this was brought in Nov laat year, we've been advised that most uni's will be looking for this for entrance intakes - basically it's english, maths, 2 sciences, 1 humanity and 1 mfl - if he goes for these then he'll have a fairy rounded set of GCSE;s - my dd school only give 3 choices so she's choosing history, german and IT ( all the others are compulsary).

[muddyangels123]

sanesometimes1, yes he's doing the compulsary subjects - maths,eng/lit,bio,chem & Physics , french, his or geog.
( he can choose three others )

Resmat
d & t
ICT
Media
Food tech.
textiles
art
music
p.e
I think there might be another lang. also.

He's already started gcse English.

[basildonbond]

well, PE's only really sensible if your ds is very good at at least two sports as 60% of the marks are practical - as it's a 'softish' subject it's OK in combination with plenty of rigourous academic subjects but you'd really need to be getting an A or A* to make it worthwhile

Of the others on his list, music or art if he's musical or artistic, media studies is a complete waste of time and he does have an awful lot of choice of technology subjects ...

we had options evening for ds1 last night and the first piece of advice was 'do what you enjoy' and 'do what you're good at' and don't worry about career implications at this point as long as you've got a good solid batch of academic GCSEs under your belt

[muddyangels123]

Well, we had a good chat last night and i asked him if he had any idea of what he wanted to do.
He says he likes History more than Geography and res. mat., so hopefully, he is now making choices.
My DS1 knew what he wanted to do ( electronics),so he didn't have a problem with his options.
Oh, i forgot there's drama/dance aswell.
I agree with you,basildonbond, as long as the main academic subjects are covered he should choose what technology he likes.
He even said he likes food tech.
Thanks again everyone, it's put it into perspective for me.

[Expecting06112010]

I would advice him to take history rather than geography, as i took geography and it was the biggest mistake of my school life actually, and im 20 so its kind of fresh in my mind, i mean it in a way that what i got taught for GCSE geography was dreadfull i took geography because i want to be geologist and it put me right off. What i got taught was a waste of time learning although as you say the schools a posh one it could be totally different.

R.E i felt was fantastic, i took french which well is only handy if you plan to go to france


He should without doubt take what he enjoys and what anyone else wants him take (which is what i did) and i agree with not worrying about future career prospects just yet

[Nuttybod]

My DS who is 13 is taking about to take his options too - a year early as his school have decided to give an extra year since the demise of the SATS.

He doesn't really know what he wants to do. I advised him to go for 'hard' subjects where he will be gaining analytical and essay writing skills.

At the moment his plan is to go for the BTEC (Diploma)in PE (his first love) History, French but he is struggling with his third choice either psychology or graphics.

I was under the impression that you only had to include one science to gain the Baccalaureate - is that right???

[sharon2609]

I think that the children are put under too much pressure (not by parents)at this age to make choices. I explain to my daughter that it doesn't matter too much what she chooses to do at this age as there are many years ahead in which to decide what to do. I changed career after 20 years in the same field..went back to uni aged 38 and now do a totally different job.

[Sanesometimes1]

nutty - the bacc needs 2 gcse's in science ( so he needs to be taking triple science) and gain A*-C grade to "qualify".