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Original poster

Do GCSE subjects need to be rethought?

136 replies

GnomeDePlume · 28/10/2018 09:52

Do the subjects taught at GCSE need to be rethought? A couple of subjects especially spring to mind:

  • modern languages
  • physics

Modern languages: rather than teaching a single language would most students be better served by a course which taught a bit about life in different countries. Some simple do's and donts, how to order a coffee (or other drink of choice), some basic courtesies, basic numbers.

The aim of this course would be to provide students with the tools to allow them to visit different countries.

Physics: would students be better off either studying a general science course or if they have the aptitude to study an extended maths syllabus. Physics could then be introduced later.

Students dont study engineering at GCSE level so why physics? It is such a broad subject, does GCSE level do it any justice at all? Would students be better of being given the tools they will use if they go on to study physics later?

Are there any other subjects which would benefit from a radical rethink?

OP posts:
BaldricksCoffee · 28/10/2018 11:02

A lot of basic physics, things like the solar system, light & heat, dimensions and time, magnetism and so on are what I would consider as essential general knowledge which everyone should learn.

noblegiraffe · 28/10/2018 10:53

All three of my DCs found physics badly taught at GCSE

Maybe they had bad physics teachers? There is a severe shortage after all.

We need more kids taking Physics at A-level. Getting rid of it at GCSE would make things worse.

MigGril · 28/10/2018 10:49

Physics at GCSE can be 'seen' if it wasn't for your DC's then the issue was probably non specialist teachers and poor resources. Physics equipment is generally more expensive and it's really hard to hang onto good physics teachers, not so much with Chemistry and Biology.

Original poster
GnomeDePlume · 28/10/2018 10:45

angelicanto not sure what is pernicious about asking the question?

Many of my colleagues have GCSE (or previous equivalents) language qualifications yet refuse to open their mouths when travelling abroad for work. My 'phrasebook' language skills are the ones which sort out hotel booking issues, order drinks, get taxis.

OP posts:
Original poster
GnomeDePlume · 28/10/2018 10:40

I am not 'picking on' physics just thinking that as a subject it might fare a lot better if it were introduced later with a broader maths syllabus earlier. Biology and chemistry are both subjects which the student can 'see'.

All three of my DCs found physics badly taught at GCSE and really came back to it later when they had the maths to understand it better.

For the student who wants to study a single language in depth then I would see no issue. But how many students get switched off from MFL because there is too much grammar and not enough focus on functional skills which can actually be applied?

OP posts:
angelicanto · 28/10/2018 10:33

Dangerous and pernicious attitude imo which will widen current educational inequalities. Why bother teaching anything? Our generation had to learn a language properly but the next can just get by with a few phrase book tokens .....

noblegiraffe · 28/10/2018 10:26

If you’re picking on Physics, why teach chemistry or biology? They’re also broad subjects. Or history, or maths or pretty much all of them in fact.

BoneyBackJefferson · 28/10/2018 10:16

There are several variants of engineering at GCSE, most schools choose not to teach it.

clary · 28/10/2018 10:16

IMO what we need to do us allow schools to assess the students likely to get grades 1-3 in GCSE English and maths and have them do Functional skills L1 and L2 instead. And not punish the school for it.

Too many students are forced (by the govt, effectively) to face papers in these subjects where they cannot do the majority of the work. My ds got EEE in English (retook one), but L2 FS.

Agree the MFL idea is not going to help. Tho we should teach about culture and in fact it is on the GCSE spec.

TheFirstOHN · 28/10/2018 10:10

I disagree with the idea of a generic modern languages GCSE. I think it's more useful to learn one language in depth, understand some of the grammar and be able to make a good attempt at communicating.

I agree with you that it is not possible for them to understand Physics in any depth unless they have the maths skills needed. Most of those students studying a whole Physics GCSE do have the maths skills to back it up. Other students study a combined science course (worth two GCSEs) a third of which is basic concepts in Physics.

TeenTimesTwo · 28/10/2018 10:08

I disagree.

The MFL one sounds like more cultural general background, it doesn't sound deep enough for a GCSE. Our MFL knowledge is a bit woeful as it is without making it even more superficial.

Physics is one of the pillars of science. It is what enabled my 88 yo DF to fix a broken gatepost without doing any heavy lifting. It helps underpin understanding of levers, electricity, motion, astronomy, glasses etc. I think it is pretty fundamental to understanding the world around us.

I think that GCSE Combined science is exactly what you want, a 'general science course'. Yes, there's loads that has to be missed out, but consider all the history omitted from History GCSE etc.

What I would rethink is the academicization of everything that has occurred with the new syllabus.
There isn't much left for the less academic.

I would also require all schools to do level 2 functional skills numeracy and literacy exam for all students, and then only make students who can pass that do the GCSEs for Maths & English language. And thus have the functional skills as the gatekeeper for level 3 courses and jobs.

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