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Original poster

Need help in subjects choices in Y9

34 replies

StarDust14 · 27/11/2014 09:15

Greetings to all super mums here!
Your topics and advises have been very helpful and I was following you anonymously for quite some time. Here comes the day however when I had to register in order to get somewhat personal advise from you. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Here it goes.
I have twin girls in Y9. One of them wants to be an artist therefore her subject choices were Spanish, Art and Design and Textile. Her core subjects are Maths, English, PE, RE and ICT. My question is Isn't it better to choose Creative iMedia or Graphics instead of Textile? And probably Applied History instead of Spanish?

My other daughter is still indecisive about her subjects :( All her life she wanted to an athlete, she is also interested in science. She likes art as well. Because she is very competitive and not very patient I believe that PE GCSE is a good choice for her. From what I've read this subject covers the PE and science aspect of her wishes. Adding Spanish and Geography to that seems just right to me. What do you think? Or should we choose art?

I am attaching the subject choices in case you wish to see them.

Thank you very much for your time and any answer/advice you can give me.

Need help in subjects choices in Y9
OP posts:
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salukifriend · 22/12/2014 22:52

There is an option to take any GCSE, IGCSE or A-level course, which is not on offer at your school, through a respectable online school: www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk/?gclid=CIbNnKfd2sICFQiWtAodMQEAEA#

Original poster
StarDust14 · 18/12/2014 18:04

Sounds reasonable, TeenAndTween

Well, we filled and submitted our forms.
We also had to pick a reserve subject

OP posts:
TeenAndTween · 14/12/2014 12:15

how can the grades represent the true value of knowledge

Ahh. They don't. Smile

For maths and science you can broadly assume certain topics will be covered. But there are differences.

But for history, it is more about understanding something about the world we are in now based on what's happened in the past. Either how conflicts have occurred and developed, or how settlers displace indigenous populations etc. It is about building skills and general understanding rather than a specific set of facts. I would expect geography to be similar in various areas.

Similarly English Lit. It's not the specific books and poems and plays that really matter, it's the exposure to them, and the gaining understanding on how to look deeper than the basic plot.

Again modern languages. You expect a certain amount of core grammar and basic vocab, but topic specific vocab may vary.

So GCSEs aren't just about knowledge, they are about building skills too.

Original poster
StarDust14 · 14/12/2014 11:50

Thanks Clary. It's clearer now on how the school chooses what to offer.

I was hoping to have at least until March-April to make our decision, but I guess the school wants to make the classes and prepare for the year ahead (Y10).

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clary · 14/12/2014 00:13

Stardust, wrt syllabuses (syllabi?) there will be a range of topic to be studied but the school/department/teachers chooses the detail.

For example, in MFL (my area) there are eight topic areas, but four controlled assessments are done d they can be done on any of the eight topics. S0within my department, on class may be doing a written ask n relationships with family and future plans, while another may be doing a speaking task on that and a written one on school and education. There is standardisation in the mark scheme and the things that need to be done (eg range of tenses etc) but there needs to be some teacher discretion eg to cater for specific strengths/interests of a class or a teacher etc.

Sorry to hear you have to decide by Dec 18, that's v soon. DD is in yr 9 and we have a lot more time.

Original poster
StarDust14 · 13/12/2014 22:43

"There seem to be 2 main options for history....... The school decides which syllabus to follow."

You are probably right, TeenAndTween
I thought it is only one national syllabus, because if they are more and different, how can the grades represent the true value of knowledge?

My DDs have spoken to Y11 students in regards to History and Geography. Both decided they will take Geography :)

"Does your school not do an options evening in Jan/Feb with more info"

We have to state our decision by Dec 18th
I did attend presentation and did talk to some of the teachers, but it was 5 min per teacher.

Thank you, chumaniward1
I believe one will go with Art and Design and the other one with Drama

OP posts:
chumaniward1 · 13/12/2014 16:57

To go into a creative career it's not essential to have creative and often less well respected GCSEs - it might be better to take these up at alevel. I'd advised to take facilitating academic subjects at GCSE incase she changes her mind later. Geography, history and MFL would be a good combination

clary · 13/12/2014 12:29

Stardust school should provide information about specific syllabus followed (as others say, it is up to the school).

I agree, let your DC choose eg between geography and history; my older 2 both prefer geography - not what I did but it's them that's got to get inspired by it IYSWIM.

Does your school not do an options evening in Jan/Feb with more info? That's the place to ask some of your questions which will be specific to the school.

TeenAndTween · 12/12/2014 16:54

There seem to be 2 main options for history (from what I've seen here, and from revision guides in Smiths) , the options my DD is doing, and the ones for your school. The school decides which syllabus to follow.

No knowledge on BTEC drama.

Mainly I would say

  • do at least double science, if capable
  • do one foreign language, if capable
  • do one essay subject e.g. RE, History or Geography, if capable
  • if 'academic' try for only one/two less traditional subjects so as not to close off too many options.

Following the above don't get too fussed about the details, make sure your DC has information and let them decide.

Original poster
StarDust14 · 12/12/2014 11:29

So then why is the BTEC version of Drama set for individual exam? I don't believe it's easier than team work.

There is no such thing as Medicine Through Timein our History syllables. Is everything changed entirely? The only American related topic is the Civil War.

Is there a web site where I can check what the subjects will look like from next year with the changes?
I feel like I am required to make a decision based on very little information and that is stressing me out.

OP posts:
TeenAndTween · 11/12/2014 18:52

I agree, very useful, and DD's skills have improved, but it doesn't do her grade any good!

MillyMollyMama · 11/12/2014 17:52

Depends on the child re working in groups. Mine got 119/120 for the group work and final production and thrived doing it. I guess the old syllabus is not one to choose unless you can develop this skill if it does not come naturally but working alone is unusual for anyone even remotely interested in acting. Hence the collaboration, listening to others and working as a team are very useful skills for the future, whatever that future may be.

TeenAndTween · 11/12/2014 17:23

DD1 is doing Drama GCSE and History.

Drama GCSE - there is a lot of working in groups. My DD is not great in groups as she can't keep up with a fast pace flow of conversation / discussion / ideas. This has become more clear over the last 18 months. Despite her enjoyment of acting, she has struggled with this course.

History - the topics she is doing aren't intrinsically useful themselves (Medicine Through Time and American West) but the skills in analysing sources, looking for possible bias, and general argumentative essay writing are very very good in my opinion.

Choosing between history or Geography I would definitely say let the child decide which sounds more interesting.

Original poster
StarDust14 · 11/12/2014 17:09

That's very interesting and useful information! Sounds like the class is very intense. I am not sure if DD will choose acting as a career so probably BTEC is a good introduction to the life of an actor.

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MillyMollyMama · 09/12/2014 15:09

Your query regarding costumes: it depends on the school. My DDs attended a school where Drama was extraordinarily well taught and was held in high esteem in the school. They has a reasonable level of costumes in school. At GCSE these were not like Opera costumes!!! Costumes were supplemented by parents as necessary but if you write a "Victorian melodrama" it has to look believable on stage, so T shirt and black trousers were not good enough. Parents supplied any make up needed as sharing is not particularly hygienic. I think it is a shame your school does BTEC Drama. I think the GCSE shows more skills and working well with others is a very useful skill. They need to grow up and not fall out. You can do LAMDA for a solo performance which anyone serious about acting should be doing anyway. GCSE Drama goes well with English as studying plays is part of the syllabus.

Original poster
StarDust14 · 09/12/2014 12:31

Thank you SlowlorisIncognito! You are right, those are very good skills. I just don't know how many of them will be thought now.

HettyD, the children will learn all that is stated in my previous post. At least that is what the school has given to us. Based on that information I am leaning toward omitting History.

Honestly, I would prefer both subjects to be taken. Children need at least basic understanding of both.

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HettyD · 07/12/2014 21:47

GCSE history has lots of transferable skills as is said above. More importantly government info published last week is suggesting GCSE will need 3 distinct time periods so it can't all be 19th/20th century any more. We just don't have more details than that though as yet...

SlowlorisIncognito · 07/12/2014 19:17

I did GCSE History just under 10 years ago. I know it has changed a bit, but I did think it taught quite a few "transferable skills" such as: how to get information from sources, understanding the bias of the writer, how to analyse and synthesise information from a lot of sources. We also got a lot of support on how to write and structure essays in History, possibly more so than in English!

That said, I guess things have changed a lot with the new GCSE system, so I agree, if it's just based on learning facts, geography might be better.

Ultimately, I don't think choosing one over the other at this stage will close any doors.

Original poster
StarDust14 · 06/12/2014 20:58

Thanks for your input!

Drama will be BTEC equivalent of GCSE. The teacher told me that for now part of the exam is solo video taped performance of the child. DD can choose to do anything she wants. She also said that there is no guarantee that things won't change.

For PE DD have to pick 4 sports. She is also expected to be part of a competing team.

They do have double science marnia. It was a mistake.
Milli, I agree with you on "closing doors" especially knowing that in time DD might decide to go in totally different way.
Who pays for the costumes, make up etc.?

As for why I lean toward Geography, I think it teaches current and very necessary knowledge and skills, like map reading and interpretation, population growth and reasons plus solutions, changing urban environment ( this is part of economics), water on the land, coastal zones, tourism

In History they will study: British society 1890-1918; Germany 1918-1945. The Cold War 1945-1975 and USA Civil Rights 1945-1975.
All this, to me is general knowledge that they can gain reading a book or surfing the net.

OP posts:
Hakluyt · 06/12/2014 08:18

The trouble is that kids in year 9 will be the first to do the new GCSEs so we don't really know what they will involve. From our experience with the old style syllabus, both Art and Drama were very hard work indeed."Not much work at home for Art" and Drama involved lots of independent work in groups, which, with teenagers also involved lots of falling out, lots of "you're not pulling your weight I'm doing everything no you're not I am" ing..........

MillyMollyMama · 06/12/2014 00:04

Art is useful for an Architect but A level Maths and Physics are what is required. Architecture is not about drawing!

My DDs did drama GCSE and the play/sketch is a collaborative piece of work where a number of students work together. Good guidance from the teacher can really get students good marks here. It is seriously stressful and hard work to get the A* though. The exam moderator actually attended a performance of both my DDs drama productions. Drama is pretty full on because the performance should include costume, lighting, props, make up etc. Art is also time consuming.

If your DD prefers History that's fine. It would be fine to do Geography instead.

Arts students can usually take two art A levels if they want, eg Art, Textiles, Photography, Graphics etc but it is the artistic ability that will count, as sporting ability will count. I think the best way to look at GCSEs is not to close any doors. Therefore English x 2, Maths, Sciences,(double or 3) MFL, a humanity, an art and two other subjects of interest are absolutely fine.

marnia68 · 05/12/2014 22:03

is it me? I can't see any sciences?

HettyD · 05/12/2014 21:46

Hi, our school is guiding students towards the core subjects:
English (2)
Maths
Science (2 usually)
Rs/citizenship
History/geography/comp sci/MFL
And two choices from wider range...
Geog counts as a science at GCE but not at GCSE, I really would NOT pick applied History - i know history doesn't have tiered papers (geog does) but it should be accessible to almost all...
Both art and PE seem solid choices but as they have an idea of future courses/career I would be tempted to check with sixth forms/colleges as to entry requirements post-16.
Hope this helps...

Original poster
StarDust14 · 05/12/2014 21:36

The Career Choice night is over and I am very pleased with all the meeting and conversations I had with the teachers.

The art teacher recommended taking only Art as it is the base for everything else. That said, the exam consists of Portfolio, class work and 10 hours supervised project. She said that they do get extra work to do at home but most of it is class work.

Textile is for someone who wants a career in Design and Fashion.

Graphics combines Art and IT. I do like the sound of it.

Applied History will be looking at one historical period for the exam and the rest of the grade will be teacher's assessment.
You were right, it looks like a choice for lower levels.

A teacher recommended Geography over History, but he is bias for it is his subject. Both teachers want the kids to choose their class and are saying that they will do very well on the exam. I guess it is up to the children to decide what they would prefer. I am leaning toward Geography, but won't pressure them.

PE is very .... how to say it? Heavy might be the word. I think we'll leave it to the Core PE.

Drama on the other hand is not bad. It is 75% class work and 25% external exam which is a video recording of a play the child has made from scratch (performed by the child).
I did ask the teacher what are the benefits of choosing Drama. Confidence, able to present in front of people, art, creativity, leadership were some of the skills pointed out. Not bad, right?

Because you were asking, I got some of the grades my kids have in different subjects. Just wanted to make sure that they are still doing well. Turns out that they are doing great and teachers think that they need to be moved to a higher group (the highest possible). Today the head teacher have told the children that probably next week they will be in their new groups. Yeay!

OP posts:
mummytime · 05/12/2014 09:11

A language is always good.
Textiles, art and Graphics are a lot of work! I would suggest doing only one of these unless incredibly passionate, you will learn a lot of the same skills in all three, and the others can be picked up if gifted that way. Why not do History, not Applied History (which people might be suspicious about).
PE is good if you are passionate about it, but isn't necessary for a sporting career.

I wouldn't recommend becoming an architect, lots I know have had very precarious careers. Art would be better, as at least you can become a teacher.

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