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Original poster

Any Humanities teachers out there? - GCSE choices...

36 replies

KingscoteStaff · 13/02/2016 12:28

DS's school has a lot of compulsory subjects, which has left him with only 2 spaces and 3 subjects which he loves - History, Geography and RS/Philosophy.

Unfortunately, these are the three subjects that (currently) he would like to take at A level.

Is is possible/advisable to take any of these subjects at A level without having studied the GCSE course?

OP posts:
Gwynfluff · 13/02/2016 15:46

Similar situation here with dd having to pick humanities.

I've advised to do history and georgraphy at GCSE. History gives good skills for all the humanities and should she want to continue geography at A-Level, then the GCSE will be needed or it will be a big leap up (the physical geography stuff needs several goings over to be retained if it isn't your interest).

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 13/02/2016 15:40

His current aim is to study History and Politics; Philosophy and Theology; or Human, Social and Political Sciences at university. Does that make a difference?

OP posts:
timelytess · 13/02/2016 15:24

Look first at what universities require for the course he will want to take, then decide on A levels. I taught Religious Studies - it isn't always what universities want. Though its an interesting A level (I looked at AQA). I'm thinking I might write some materials for it, just because I want an excuse to work with the topics.

BertrandRussell · 13/02/2016 15:19

Lots of people do philosophy A level without the GCSE. Your ds will be having some RS lessons anyway because it's compulsory and with a bit of luck they will be philosophically based.

Dreamgirls234 · 13/02/2016 15:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

superram · 13/02/2016 15:13

I am a geography teacher and have taught children who didn't do it at GCSE-it never went well. I agree with the poster above that rs would be easiest to 'catch up'.

RalphSteadmansEye · 13/02/2016 14:53

Based on the advice from ds's school, I would say that RS/philosophy is the "easiest" to tackle at A level without the GCSE and geography the hardest. This is down to the skills learned during the GCSE. A student is considered suitable for A level RS/philosophy with good English and history grades at GCSE.

Katnisnevergreen · 13/02/2016 14:30

It would depend on the student and the school. I have had students in my a level classes with a GCSEs, but that is normally when they are overseas and history isn't taught. It's not just the knowledge, which is completely different usually, but the skills they will find hard.

Tigerblue · 13/02/2016 14:03

As said I'd check with local sixth forms. Some subjects require a GCSE B grade pass in order to do an A level here, rumours are at my DD's school they might be upping some subjects to an A grade pass.

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 13/02/2016 13:50

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Sparklycat · 13/02/2016 12:49

Yes you can take anything at AS level without having studied it at GCSE.