What do you think of these A'level subject choices

I went to sixth form at a London day independent school that has a good MN reputation, did my A levels in 1989, and no one did six. Those of us doing double maths did 4, everyone else did 3.

Bojo - I don't know about 30 years ago, but I did 4 in 1979 - two sciences and double maths - and was a bit miffed because I'd have preferred 3 sciences and maths as my older brother had done, but they couldn't timetable it. (Bog standard for its time state grammar). But as I think someone has commented, back then it was nearly all 'vanilla' subjects, and afaik there weren't complications like the pre-U which seems to be whats throwing the options for the OP's DS.

bojorojo - I was at school overseas and didn't do A-levels but contemporaries of mine did six A-levels (three in Lower Sixth and three in Upper Sixth) at private schools in the early 1980s. I have no idea how common this was however.

Economics, History and Maths are perfect for Economics! Why would they not be? Not an u usual combination either - plenty of options. Economics is a science at many universities because it is mathematical.

No-one did four 30 years ago before AS came in. Plenty did Maths, FM and a Science so only two subjects. The Polys only asked for two A levels for lots of their courses. 4 is a fairly recent development. We could delay university entrance to enhance learning post 16! Would give more time to ensure a more rounded education.

On the other hand her school does not even offer Comp sci as they feel it narrows options too much.

If its one of only 3 subjects that's probably true - and afaik none of the degree courses for which it is relevant require it (though it would be an acceptable subject).

Indeed cat.

And I don't blame schools for limiting to 3 A levels. But I wish schools and parents would be honest about the reason and not follow the script that it's all somehow much better than doing 4.

It just lets the government off the hook.

Absolutely. People refuse the very idea that the childhood their own child is getting could possibly be substandard. Ego defenses at play all the time. And parents are so frigging busy that they don't have time to loll around reading e.g. PISA surveys in proper detail and discussing them. There is little space in most people's lives for any perspective on the systems they inhabit.

the schools only offering 3 in lower sixth are doing to save ££.
State schools only receive government funding for 3 A level subjects so those that offer 4 in Y12 are having to find the funding from elsewhere within their (limited) budgets.

True again.

Also many parents instinctively refuse to admit to any issues, because to do so would be to admit that their child is receiving something sub standard.

That is not something your average middle class parent can do!

People use the NHS in emergency situations where they have an expectation of care because they can no longer care for themselves - be that flu, acne or cancer. The failings of the education system are less immediately visible so they get less immediate attention.

True.

And whilst people get up in arms about the NHS, state education has been quietly starved of funding.

If the UK school system were focused on what was good for the pupils, education would look very different indeed. It has become a huge sorting system.

I think it's A Good Thing for lower sixteen h students to start off with 4 A levels/pre u if possible.

It allows them to keep their education broader for longer.

And let's be honest, the schools only offering 3 in lower sixth are doing to save ££. It's not out of any desire to do what's good for the pupils.

Carriemac - your DD has a really interesting combination of A-levels.

My DSSs, who both read Economics at university in the U.K. after doing à French bac S, think that some combinations of A-levels get overtaken, as an education, by degree content and leave students with little education outside their own field. Basically, they have no education beyond GCSE level other than their degree subject.

Sorry , meant to say she was told these were really good law subjects, and Durham though so too. I know two of them are facilitating, but during open days she got the impression that economics was well thought of. and she has 5 offers from oxford durham kings etc.
On the other hand her school does not even offer Comp sci as they feel it narrows options too much.

The point is Carriemac??? Your DD has TWO facilitating subjects!!!! She would not have needed three!

DD has just got into oxford with economics as one of her A levels , for a humanities degree , other subjects maths and history

Good luck :)

DD is only in yr 10 but has just come home having had a talk about A levels and uni choice I can see she's going to be in a similar sort of quandry in a year's time, her 'best' subjects by miles are maths/physics, but her top favourite is biology with chemistry unhelpfully languishing behind in both cases!

I think we have really talked about not narrowing down options at university. It does not mean Maths, computing and Economics are not worthwhile subjects. So it is not really about improving the application - it is more about what you can apply for!

Also German and Chemistry are both facilitating, my favouritecolour and Law is very non presciptive regarding subjects plus an interview would help choose suitable candidates. Most courses do not interview so A level choices matter. Many Engineering courses offer catch up sessions so FM is not required very often. Physics is a much bigger advantage.

I would assume that this school believes the Physics pupils are capable of doing PreU. If they thought A level was the best exam, they would offer it. The teachers are presumably up to speed with PreU and no doubt the qualifications have been evaluated as to which suits the pupils best. That is why I would find out more about this course rather than try FM which is a real challenge for many reasonable mathematicians.

I cannot see how a pupil at an independent school can access an A level elsewhere? How?

"I think sometimes on MN threads like this it seems to be focussed on 'does it improve my uni application' rather than 'will I learn something useful or interesting'. Education as an end in itself not just a means to an end."

It isn't necessarily MN, but what is happening in schools and 6th form colleges these days. DD's school most definitely focus on the students gaining UCAS points.

Is your ds taking iGCSEs OP - I think that most current Y11s are taking the new 9-1 GCSE in Maths now whereas iGCSEs still have A*-C etc grades.
Your ds will be the first cohort to take the new reformed linear Maths A level by the way. FM will also be reformed at the same time as well.
The new Maths A level has been redesigned to fit with the new 9-1 GCSE and smooth the transition from GCSE to A level.

Most students studying FM at A'level have not done FM at GCSE.
I would really want to talk to the school about why they are not offering Physics A'level as well, and asking their careers advice.
Maths Economics and Computing could be fine for a lot of subjects at Uni, but are not ideal for Engineering type subjects, if that is what he is likely to want to study. You need to look at what the subjects he might be interested in need at the kind of Universities he is likely to go to. All of which is reasonably easy to find out.

Study what he enjoys05 and is good at so likely to achieve the best results