Drama and Music for GCSE?

My DD chose Music because she felt it was a certain A* and she knew she would find it easy and enjoy it. She was right on all counts. Music is an academic subject anyway.

Dunlurking it will be a likely A which the other option possibilities are unlikely to be. And she wants* to do it. And she doesn't want to do DT or business studies or German. And if she does music that will keep the option of conservatoire open if she decides in the end that she wants to go that route instead of drama. Music GCSE actually gives you a lot more than you can get from just doing a grade 8 (or several) actually...

I tell you what an arty kid can do without. Biology GCSE. But apparently that's the truth that dare not speak its name.

Uhtred a music GCSE isn't going to give her anything she can't achieve with a grade 8 in an instrument. Actor Musician courses only ask for G8.

This is exactly what DD2 wants to do (in combination with EBACC, triple science, and RS). But her school might not let her in the interests of 'balance' (they are forcing her to do 3 sciences where's the balance in that?). Despite the fact that she is grade 6 on 3 instruments (at 12) grade 3 on a fourth, dances to a high standard, and has grade 6 musical theatre too (and does 3 or 4 productions a year with her drama group). she wants a performing career. It's all very stressful right now.

My DD (now 21) did both these and is just starting a Solicitor's Training Contract. In fact she also did Spanish and History so virtually the same choices.

I did both of these subjects and it hasn't held me back any way...(I am now a fully qualified maths teacher).

(Sorry, not the actual question, I know)

Just to say, backing up a pp, I think RS is absolutely fine as a humanities choice, indeed a good choice.

My son (year 9 - they choose options in year 8 at his school) is doing music, drama and RS.

He's enjoying them.

'She' in the second paragraph refers to my DD, not TheSecond btw!

I think a taleoftwokitties is right - it can be dependant of your peers (so bojorojo is right too strong teaching can help)

DD got a pass at BTEC drama & a place at performing arts school in the same year

Music is often thought of as very academic but DD managed a B in it (along with her B in English) everything else was a C (apart from dance )

DS did both and enjoyed it. Be warned though that her mark for the performance part of the GCSE drama will depend a bit on the flakiness or otherwise of the rest of her group

This. With hindsight, dd wished she hadn't chosen drama - it was too influenced by stuff she couldn't influence. If your school has a fab teacher with an excellent reputation then you might not need to worry however.
It is seen as a good GCSE though - all sorts of presentation skills can be improved through doing drama, which help in all sorts of careers, plus, of course, interview and assessment situations.

Aha! you had insider knowledge then

Thesecond OP's DD may have done Spanish since year 7, why do you assume she hasn't?

Because the OP's DD goes to the same school as my DD, and they learn French or German in Y7. In Y8 they can choose a second MFL, including Spanish.

Spooky - these are DD1s exact choices, too (but her school insist they do an 'extra' choice so she is also doing History).

Seems our girls are in for a LOT of reading, essay writing and creativity. Bit jealous I can't also take the courses...

Spooky - these are DD1s exact choices, too (but her school insist they do an 'extra' choice so she is also doing History).

Seems our girls are in for a LOT of reading, essay writing and creativity. Bit jealous I can't also take the courses...

Agree clary. Dd only had a choice of French but ds could choose from French, German or Spanish in year 7 with the option of taking up an additional language from year 9.

My DD does drama and music and enjoys both.

She also does French and Geography so pretty solid subjects there.

Thesecond OP's DD may have done Spanish since year 7, why do you assume she hasn't? DS1 and DS2 both did Spanish from year 7, not all schools start everyone with French now.

Incidentally did you know the percentage of students accepted to Russell Group universities with A level theatre studies is really high.

PS I have a son who has just chosen his A-level options and STILL has no idea what he wants to do as a career.

It's fine to do RS as the humanity. It seems to be taught particularly well at your DD's school, and if she enjoys it then she should do that. I think Music & Drama are fine as the two free options. I know of two children in Y10 who chose that combination and neither are regretting it.

Presumably she has only been learning Spanish since Y8. What made her choose that rather than the MFL she started in Y7?

My DD is doing triple science plus French, geography art and music - just hoping it's not all too much work...

Why concerned about doing RS? I think it's a great subject & dd really enjoys it whereas she hates geography & gets low grades in history?