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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

Could you answer a straw poll regarding options, please?

45 replies

ChaosTrulyReigns · 29/01/2013 09:28

Does that make sense?

I'm just researching sone muttering and rumours going around at our school. DD1 is year 8.

Apparently,the school offers only 9 GSCEs, which by all accounts will be detrimental to UCAS applications.

Would you mind telling me what your school offers, so I can see if this school is unusual?

OP posts:

senua · 29/01/2013 10:18

Sorry, what year is she in?

I thought that Universities - if they are looking at GCSE; most look only at AS/A Level - look at the best eight results, so you will still fit requirement.

TaggieCampbellBlack · 29/01/2013 10:13

Ours does a mixture.

DD1 did
3 science
2 english
Maths
RE
Art
Graphics
French
Geography

Had to fo a language, humanity and a DT

DD2 is doing
3 science
2 english
Maths.

She is on a reduced timetable though.

Others do single or double science and one english and diplomas depending on ability.

Ladymuck · 29/01/2013 10:07

School doesn't offer ICT, Citizenship or RE as GCSE options. Options are 3 from additional languages, History, Geography, Philosophy & Ethics, Economics, Art, Drama, Music, 3D design and PE.

I had a 16yo for work experience who have "7 GCSE equivalents" in ICT and double sport science. He couldn't write an email to a customer despite 9 GCSE equivalents.

Original poster

ChaosTrulyReigns · 29/01/2013 09:57

Thanks.

It's interesting about you thinking Lit was compulsory, Beck. Is there any official guidelines that I could research regarding that, do you know?

This us a grammar school, btw, and gets 2/3 Oxbridge places each year and many RG places. I'm just worried that such a limited approach is indicative of deeper rot in the school.

OP posts:

Moominmammacat · 29/01/2013 09:52

Nine is plenty, no problem at all.

Ladymuck · 29/01/2013 09:47

We have the following as compulsory:
Eng Lang
Eng Lit
Maths
Science (could be double or 3 separate iGCSEs)
a language
Then 3 further options to choose.
So pupils generally take either 9 or 10 GCSEs depending on science.

Usually have 10-20 Oxbridge offers per year plus lots of RG places. Its an independent school, so relies on good uni offers rather than just getting the most points for a league table.

webwiz · 29/01/2013 09:46

DS does 11 - triple science, 2 english, maths, french, history, RS, music and drama. ICT is an OCR national certificate.

DD's did 10 as science was double then plus a short course ICT GCSE.

I don't think 9 is a problem for UCAS applications its more that it reduces choice. It might be a sensible approach to reduce the number of gcses though with all the changes that are about to happen and make sure that good grades are obtained in the ones taken.

5madthings · 29/01/2013 09:39

Ds1 is yr 9 and choosing options. He will end up with 11 gcse's and can do some extra things as well a btec or as level?

English lit,english lang, maths, three sciences, ict and citizenship studies are all compulsory. Then a further three gcse choices plus some extras.

Fianccetto · 29/01/2013 09:35

One Dd is doing triple science, 2 English, maths, 1 language, music, geography, DT, and sundry other 'half' courses, like RE. I think it adds up to 11 or 12 altogether.

T'other DD is choosing options now and will do 12.

(theyre both in grammar schools.)

BeckAndCall · 29/01/2013 09:35

I thought English lit was compulsory everywhere?
at my DDs school ( top ac academic, loads of entries to Oxbridge and Russell group) they routinely offer 10 but some girls do 9 - with no downside fro university applications

Original poster

ChaosTrulyReigns · 29/01/2013 09:32

Ok, that's another question for my list.

Also, is English Literature compulsory at your school?

OP posts:

Original poster

ChaosTrulyReigns · 29/01/2013 09:31

Frigging Vodafone.

OP posts:

bigTillyMint · 29/01/2013 09:31

Ours choose options in Y8 to start in Y9. I think DD is doing something like 13.

Do you think the school is counting triple science as 1?

Original poster