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Original poster

Choosing Subjects for National 5s (Scotland)

61 replies

soontobeslendergirl · 21/02/2014 10:06

I know it is still nearly a year away, but we have just had parents meetings so it's a bit at the front of our minds at the moment.

No1 son is due to start 3rd year after Easter and will be choosing his subjects for National 5 next December/January.

He is very quiet but academically able in all subjects. He likes everything except Social Subjects (Geography, History and Modern Studies). Given his obsession with Lego and Minecraft, and his abilities in Maths, tech and Physics, we were all thinking along the lines of Engineering. He is however very good in English and likes anything to do with Computers and a late meeting yesterday with the Art teacher reveals that he is "very talented" and she would love to see him continue (he also loves Art).

So, given that he can only choose 7 subjects, it's all getting very tight. By looking at last years options forms English and Maths are compulsory (that's fine) and also one of the columns only gives and option of one of the Social subjects (not fine in his opinion). Giving him only 4 subjects left to choose. Out of those he'd like to do Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Science, Computing Science, Graphic Communications, Art & Design and feels he should probably continue a language. There will be lots of combinations that are simply not possible given the structure of the timetable.

The Art teacher was suggesting that he go into Architecture or Product design which would combine the artistic qualities with his mathematical skills. I think we are less sure of his employment prospects with those types of qualifications.

It's really hard to know how to guide them isn't it? He is showing no clear opinions himself, he tends to be overly compliant which makes it hard to know whether you are guiding him to what you think is better from your own point of view or what would make him happier. Garrrgghhh!!!

What is everyone else thinking with their own upcoming childrens choices or what would you think you would choose given the above circumstances.

I know we are lucky btw that he is a good all rounder, but it does make it harder to narrow it all down.

OP posts:
Taz1212 · 22/02/2014 11:36

Kaumana do you know if the decision to go with 8 in S4 is right across Edinburgh or just some schools? I'm wondering whether they've been influenced by the fact that most, if not all of the independent schools are sticking with a choice of 8 courses. I.e. such a high % of Edinburgh pupils go private as it is, so Edinburgh Council didn't want to lose yet more top students to the independent schools? Some of the independent schools are using it as a selling point, along the lines of, "one advantage the independent schools have is that we can cherry pick the parts of the CfE that we like and leave the parts we don't..."

Megrim · 22/02/2014 09:00

In Aberdeen City you do BGE until the end of S3 (8 subjects) and then drop to 6 subjects for Nat 5s as they start the Senior Phase in S4. As we are the guinea pig year I am quite happy for DS to be doing 6 Nat 5s, very able students have the opportunity to do Highers in some subjects in S4 and they can pick up additional subjects in both S5 and S6. I would rather the kids got 6 good qualifications this year than struggle to do more and do poorly, so it's not something I feel the need to complain about. Uni places will still be offered on the basis of Highers, and Uni's have made statements about how they regard the new qualifications.

So Edinburgh seems to be introducing the Senior Phase in S3 as opposed to S4 then? That would the only way they could adequately cover the syllabus for all subjects and still have some revision time.

Original poster
soontobeslendergirl · 21/02/2014 23:58

It may not be right, and I do agree with you that I'd rather they were doing 8 subjects over 2 years, but the system is supposed to be that they do BGE until 4th year, so individual councils (or schools) deciding to do their own thing and do it over 2 years isn't right either.

I do worry that it is our children that are going to have to deal with the fall out of this whole new system. I don't disagree in principal with the philosophy of what they are trying to do, however it against the grain in terms of what the whole rest of the world (in particular Asia) are doing and I think that our children may be at a disadvantage.

I guess time will tell.

What they are trying to do at my boys school is award them National 4s where possible for the subjects they don't take on to National 5 so that at the end of 4th year they could possibly have 7 National 5s and some national 4s as well (and a 3 in a 2nd language) They are hoping that that way the kids can still show that they have a breadth of education even if they don't take a language or PE or Music or something onto external examination in 4th year.

I've heard that there is a pupil challenging the insistence of taking English at National 5 as she is a native Mandarin speaker (and an apparent genius) and wont need a qualification in English - it will be interesting to hear how she gets on.

OP posts:
kaumana · 21/02/2014 22:11

No, they are studying two years for the N5 + 1 year for higher + pe/ rme/art but not to exam level.

I really disagree with councils who have agreed for 6 N4s. As English and maths are a given it only leaves you 3/4 (poss mfl).

I think the narrowing of subject choice is awful; but as I am in Edinburgh. I'm ok.

So, please complain. It is not right.

Original poster
soontobeslendergirl · 21/02/2014 20:59

So they are ignoring the BGE that they are supposed to do for S3 then kaumana? This is where I think it is going to get difficult for when they are all applying to Uni - but I guess if the Nat 6s/highers etc are still pretty much level, maybe it wont make any difference Confused

But for those who choose to maybe go down an apprenticeship route after 4th year, maybe it will?

OP posts:
kaumana · 21/02/2014 20:40

I'm always glad to see discussions re the new exams.

Here in Edinburgh we choose 8 N5s in Jan/ Feb which start immediately after the summer break in the beginning of S3

Subject choices are english/maths/mfl + 5 others.

Original poster
soontobeslendergirl · 21/02/2014 16:39

Sorry, my reply was a bit short, I was heading off to do the school pick-up.

That sounds like a good plan your son has and hope he does as well as he hopes in his upcoming exams.

OP posts:
Original poster
soontobeslendergirl · 21/02/2014 15:04

Thanks again - they are starting the year at Easter to allow enough time to complete 7 subjects - this is supposed to give them enough hours over the year to fit it all in.

I'll defitely have a look through the Uni courses later to see if that helps narrow it down better.

OP posts:
Megrim · 21/02/2014 14:41

My son is doing English, maths, physics, chemistry, geography and PE at Nat 5, and is planning on doing maths, physics, chemistry, geography and engineering science at Higher ( the new Highers, which follow on from Nat 5). Currently thinking about doing chemical engineering at Uni. Prelims went OK, we are limited to 6 subjects for Nat 5 which I think was sensible as they are just finishing the various units and will have a bit if class revision time before going straight into exams after Easter.

Original poster
soontobeslendergirl · 21/02/2014 13:51

Thanks Megrim - I hadn't really thought about being to pick up subjects at a Higher level straight away in 5th year - though I think the Highers may be gone by then and it will be National 6s?

We will definitely have a look at the Uni sites too. Great idea. Thanks :)

I went to see the Art teacher half hoping she would say that he was competent but no more as it would have been easier to seer him towards something else he enjoyed but more in line with the other subjects. But, after speaking to her it has made us feel that to stop him doing art and stifling his creativity would be a sin. Her view was that it is the creative element that adds to the ability to do those jobs with flair rather than just producing bog standard albiet very competent work.

What else is your son doing and how is he finding it? What are his plans for Career/Uni?

OP posts:
Megrim · 21/02/2014 13:38

If he is competent in maths and physics, and does graph com at Nat 5, then he might be able to pick up Engineering Science at Higher in S5 without doing the Nat 5? Will depend on the school and the child but this is what my son is planning (currently S4 and doing 6 Nat 5s).

Geography would probably sit best as the social science subject. Wouldn't worry too much about a language if he looking at architecture / landscape architecture / product design.

Have a look at what the universities are looking for - try Strathclyde and Napier for product design engineering. They also give you employment ideas.