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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Secondary School Subject choice

18 replies

Gibby44 · 19/04/2018 18:29

Advice please! Child in Scottish Secondary School. Moving into 3rd year after summer so just made subject choices. Notified today that due to staffing a particular subject will no longer be offered. Child is gutted (parent furious!). Anyone experienced this? Advice please? Thanks

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TeenTimesTwo · 19/04/2018 19:32

That must be very disappointing. What subject?

One of:
a) accept it
b) change schools to one that does the subject
c) find a way to do it out of school
d) get all other children affected together and try to persuade school to recruit replacement

Gibby44 · 19/04/2018 19:43

Subject is I.T. Apparently there's a shortage of teachers in this particular field.

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TeenTimesTwo · 19/04/2018 19:51

Has IT become Computer Science like in England?
i.e. More emphasis on coding and less on just using applications? If so I can see there would be a lack of qualified teachers.

Gibby44 · 19/04/2018 20:01

Yes-now called Computing Science. Should be software design & development etc.

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sashh · 19/04/2018 20:09

One good thing, in the English system at least, you don't need GCSE to take A Level, I expect it is the same with highers.

Can it be taken out side school?

Gibby44 · 19/04/2018 20:14

Not sure how? Do you mean at college? Will ask if other schools in local area can provide but fully expect to be told no as there would be timetabling conflicts, lack of funds etc.

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sashh · 19/04/2018 20:18

Gibby I have PMed you.

prettybird · 19/04/2018 20:48

I know that there is a real shortage in Computing Science teachers in Scotland (ds' school is fortunate to have more than one! ).

Does your child's school have any CS teachers? (in which case is it a timetabling issue, which might be resolved?) Depending on the proximity of other schools, it may indeed be possible to go to another school or to a local college. I have a vague perhaps imagined recollection of reading that some schools were overcoming the shortage by creating clusters.

Has there been any communication from the school other than he can't do it due to teacher shortage? Any suggestions about alternatives?

Ironically, ds only did Nat 5 Computing Science because it was the only subject left in that column that he was vaguely interested in (he'd have rather done Art, but it was in the Physics, Chemistry and PE columns).

Gibby44 · 19/04/2018 21:13

Hi-they haven't offered an alternative but it is a school with 'pushy parents' of which I have never classed myself as but if needs must! They do have staff teaching the subject at the moment.

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prettybird · 19/04/2018 21:33

Time to channel your pushy parent then

Could be that the existing CS teachers are leaving for promoted posts in other schools not helpful

Is it a subject that they can crash for Higher?

Gibby44 · 19/04/2018 21:42

I believe so but I will check with school tomorrow. The joys!!

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Walkingdeadfangirl · 19/04/2018 21:43

Computer Science/programming is definitely a skill you can learn extra curriculum. Not sure what a school can do if they can't afford or aren't able to offer it.

Maybe pushy parents could get it offered as an extra subject outside of the normal school day. Have done this with my DS.

AlexanderHamilton · 19/04/2018 21:48

How important is that subject?

When Dd & Ds chose their options each had 1/2 non negotiable subjects. If they couldn’t do that subject they would change schools.

All others have to be a bit flexible. Computer Science isn’t offered at dd’s School & she wanted to do I but she could live with that unlike RS & music.

Ds can’t do drama, but he can do music which is non negotiable.

Gibby44 · 19/04/2018 21:54

That's interesting Walkingdeadfangirl... def food for thought-thanks. Was it a long drawn out process or was School open to idea?

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Gibby44 · 19/04/2018 22:08

Hi AlexanderHamilton,
DS takes 9 subjects next term - 3 of which are compulsory. This drops to 7 the following year. Was super keen on this subject.

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Walkingdeadfangirl · 19/04/2018 22:22

Was it a long drawn out process or was School open to idea?
School was open to idea as they wanted to offer it but couldn't afford to run it during the school day.
Doing it as an extra curriculum subject meant only children who really wanted and were able to do it were involved. Teacher provided all the work, but it was up to the children to put in the effort in their free time, so if pupil not able or motivated then no one was running after them. Less work for teacher who was volunteering and fair compromise for children who were really dedicated.
TBF worked out better than a class filled with some kids who didn't want to be there or weren't putting in the effort.
He is expected to get a nine this summer.

Gibby44 · 19/04/2018 22:28

Thanks-I will def see if this is something School would be open to.

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Walkingdeadfangirl · 19/04/2018 23:27

Gibby44, its not that unusual for a school to run extra curricular subjects. Like classics/Latin, niche mfl, drama/dance, statistics ... etc
They aren't financially viable for small numbers to run main stream but for the few who really want to do it (looks good on a teachers CV) . You just need a small group of students who really can and will do the study, with some parental help. Good Luck

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