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Original poster

Which of these GCSE options have the least coursework?

85 replies

KatyMac · 29/01/2013 20:01

DD is busy outside of school - so we need a lighter option

So which should we pick? (she has to pick 2)
GCSE Applied Business
GCSE Catering
GCSE Graphics
GCSE History
BTEC Drama
BTEC PE
GCSE Child Development
GCSE Media Studies
GCSE Photography

We have rejected GCSE Art, Photography, Resistant Materials & Psychology and BTEC Art & Design as we thought they would be time intensive.

She will be doing English Lang & Lit, Maths, Science (2 I think), Geography, Spanish, Music, (she has already taken BTEC Dance & BTEC Science)

OP posts:
Dominodonkey · 30/01/2013 00:14

Little or no time for home work? At gcse? Don't worry about the options, she is unlikely to do well in any subjects with a parent who clearly thinks that extra curricular activities are far more important than education.

NewFerry · 29/01/2013 22:15

Sorry, I appreciate this may be controversial, but given that your dd is taking 2xBTEC already, along with 7 GCSEs, if she were mine I would push for at least 1 more GCSE.

As an aside, a friends dd has just been accepted at drama school. Her dd took the standard 11 GCSEs required by the school. Off the top of my head, I know these included 2xEnglish, maths, 2x science, RE, dance, drama, music, and a technical subject. Alongside at least 8 dance classes each week, plus drama group, and most holidays were spent on dance courses. She also plays a musical instrument to a high standrd and sings in school choir and jazz group. She is incredibly talented, and she would say she is not hugely academic. However, she is very organised and she coped with the very heavy workload.

Good luck to your dd in taking this path.

Original poster
KatyMac · 29/01/2013 21:03

I suppose it's worth the fight - damn I was after an easy life

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 29/01/2013 20:50

Well actually she wants to study Musical Theatre so Drama would be good; but we'd have to fight for it as they don't like the children to do Music & Dance & Drama

OP posts:
ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 29/01/2013 20:47

Drama doesn't have much by way of written controlled assessments, but please don't let her do it if she'd only be taking it as a lighter option Hmm

There's lots of group work, rehearsals, visits etc, and it's blimin' annoying for peers when one member of a group isn't really committed.

Original poster
KatyMac · 29/01/2013 20:46

The controlled assessments seem OK - it's just she has little or no time for homework at all

I wondered about PE & either Child Development or Catering or maybe Drama

She'd rather do none of them

OP posts:
Hassled · 29/01/2013 20:43

It's all controlled assessments these days, Katy - so you go away and prepare, some in class, some at home, and then write it up in class under tightly controlled conditions. With my older kids there were hours and hours of writing at home - not any more.

With her ability and interests I'd go for the PE, and with the knowledge that she would have picked up by osmosis along the way I'd go for Child Development :o.

Original poster
KatyMac · 29/01/2013 20:42

Really? That would be good

She doesn't really need 12 anyway but rules are rules

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 29/01/2013 20:39

I don't know, but I would've thought photography had a lot of course work. I know my friend's son was struggling because he had taken A* photographs, but wasn't prepared to put the time in to make sure his folder of work was presented properly, I think meaning a paragraph describing each photo taken.

I thought course work was being done away with, anyway.

Sorry, not much help!

Original poster
KatyMac · 29/01/2013 20:20

Bump?

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