To think my ds school is being blatantly sexist ?

[redannie118]

Would really like other peoples view on this
My ds is 14, straight A student who has just chosen his options. He has always wanted to be a primary school teacher, and his careers advisor told him along with his solid academic subjects he also needed to chooses Health and Social Care. This was backed up by his head of year during a parent/teacher meeting and he was offered a place and told if he changed his mind on any of his subjects he had till the end of May to let them know
So today my ds told me the teacher who is organising the options has pulled him into the office 3 times this week about his health and social care subject. He told him that he will be the only boy in the class and does he not want to change his mind. My ds confirmed he does not mind in the slightest(he has as many female mates as male and is a proper sociable chap and the school know this).im fuming, as far as I can see as my son confirmed in the 1st meeting he was happy , so the only reason they have to keep badgering him is they think he will upset the girls in someway or that irs not a fitting subject for a boy !! Am I being over precious here or should I be furious with the school for trying to convince my son to drop out of the class?
Thanks in advance

[Sirzy]

You know how they are normally but to me it sounds like they were simply checking he was happy as for some people being the only person of that gender would make them Uncomfy

[splendide]

I'd be furious. Badgering him about it is ridiculous.

[acasualobserver]

If he is academically able I think he might find Health and Social Care pretty tedious. He really doesn't need it to be a primary school teacher either.

[Floggingmolly]

Being pulled into the teacher's office three times in one week sounds like a bit of an exaggeration, tbh. Are you sure?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Because I was curious I just checked the UCAS website and health and social care is not an entry requirement for primary school teaching. I would be having a really good look to make sure the rest of their advice is correct

[Smartiepants79]

Well it sounds more to me like they are just making sure that your son understands the situation. Boys doing this subject is clearly unusual. He will be the only male in the class. That makes him stand out as 'different'. For many teenagers this would cause them to rethink and perhaps change their minds. School seem to be trying to ensure that he is going to be happy and not drop out three months in which would be disruptive.
If it bothers you that much write a polit email/letter making clear that your son is very definite that he wants to do it and understands the situation.
Personally I can't see much to get my knickers in a twist over.

[Moonlightceleste]

Ummm, health and social care absolutely isn't needed for teaching. If anything I would have thought you'd be better of WITHOUT health and social care at GCSE! Some of the careers advice kids seem to be getting at school nowadays is absolutely shocking.

[LIZS]

Health and Social Care seems an odd choice for an A grade student. It won't help for teaching long term as all relevant material will be covered again, and more up to date. A core subject such as an additional humanity would keep options more open. Are you this isn't what lies behind the query?

[howtorebuild]

Health and social care level 2 is handy, if taken alongside the GCSE.

[Smartiepants79]

He does not need health and social studies to be a teacher. If he has good maths and English GCSEs and 3 decent a levels he should be all set. I've always thought it to be more for kids who are less academically inclined but may be wrong.

[Catmuffin]

Are you sure they aren't trying to persuade him to take a more academic subject as they feel this will benefit him more? Maybe he was given bad advice to take it but other teachers have spotted this and are advising otherwise?

[redannie118]

Thank you, the info im being given about the Health and social care not being needed is interesting and ill look into that.
My ds is not normally prone to exagguration but with kids you can never rule that out so will get him to be sure of his facts if/when I visit the school !!

[katemiddletonsnudeheels]

YANBU.

I completely believe this happened - similar thing happened to a boy in my tutor group several years ago now who wanted to study Child Development.

[FreshHorizons]

I can't think why he needs Health and Social Care - very odd advice.
I agree with LIZS.
I can't see anything sexist about it- hopefully they are making him really think about it.

[howtorebuild]

I've always thought it to be more for kids who are less academically inclined

My DD took GCSE's early and obtained A*, she took Health and social care, she hasn't taken the exam yet and so far has a distinction in the bag. It's for anyone.

[Whichplace]

I'd also agree he doesn't need health and social care. He'd be much better off taking another national curriculum subject list on this page. I'm a primary teacher and I regularly refer back to what I learnt in a subject at GCSE when I'm planning and teaching. Having looked at the health and social care spec, all the content that is relevant will be covered during teacher training at a more indepth level.

[BetweenTwoLungs]

Is he doing History or a language? Both would be much more useful for primary teaching.

[TheNotoriousPMT]

Agree that Health and Social Care is unnecessary for teaching - what are the other options in that block?

Also, ime H&SC classes tend to be more vocational and less academic, more for people aiming for jobs as nannies and carers. If your ds is planning to go to university, he might well be better off with, say, History.

Another thought: this careers advisor teacher presumably knows which students have expressed interest in which subjects. It may be that s/he is trying to dissuade your ds from taking a course where he will be the only motivated student in the room, and that the 'only boy' thing is a cover for this.

[blueemerald]

Health and Social Care is absolutely not necessary not become a teacher and, sadly, is not highly regarded by universities or employers.

I suspect he will find the course dull. The school knows what a massive hassle it is to have kids drop subjects or flunk them due to boredom etc but they are being unreasonable to use thereasons you outlined and to keep going about it.

Which degree does he want to do?

[Drinkstoomuchcoffee]

If this was a scenario about a girl who had been asked by the school whether she really wanted to do physics because she would be the only girl in the class, everyone would be up in arms.
Irrespective of whether you need this qualification to be a teacher - it smacks to me of blatant sexism

[Rebecca2014]

Crazy! I am sure he love being the only boy as will the girls! Lol.

[DefinitelyNotAJourno]

Curious replies. I wonder if mumsnet would be so sympathetic to the school if a girl was being constantly asked if she wanted to proceed with a mechanics class

[PotteringAlong]

I think he's being discouraged from health and social care because it's seen as less academic and might count against him. But they can't say that so they're trying to persuade him in other ways

[grumpysquash3]

Health & Social Care is not offered at our school (and presumably many others), so I don't think it can be a requirement for teaching.

[FledglingFridge]

would be so sympathetic to the school if a girl was being constantly asked if she wanted to proceed with a mechanics class

If they told her that she needed it for teaching, probably.