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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

GCSE Options horror

40 replies

Navratilover · 25/03/2019 18:54

We're 4 days from year 9 options deadline and still no closer to finding a solution. Dd will have to do all core subjects plus Theology, a practical subject, a language and history or geography.

This leaves with her with only one real option choice. She wants to do Drama. And Art. She is excellent at both. I'm more in favour of keeping Art, but she won't countenance dropping Drama under any circumstances.

In a moment of madness I have suggested that she does both and I teach her History as a private candidate (am a qualified teacher, have taught History before and love it, though it's not my official subject).

I'm uneasy though as it takes her to 12 GCSEs in total and I don't want to overload her, especially as she has a v busy extra-curricular and social life on top. She's all for it in theory, but once the time comes, I can imagine her being less keen.

Is there another way? I've spoken to the school and they are pretty rigid about their subject blocking (and I do understand that timetables are murder to organise). Do we just accept that she has to drop one of her great loves? Or do I bite the bullet and register her with AQA as a private candidate?

OP posts:

Comefromaway · 25/03/2019 22:14

and 9/10 of the new GCSES is plenty.

Comefromaway · 25/03/2019 22:12

Dd dropped history and geography in favour of RS (optional at her school). RS may not be a official ebac subject but no one cares about ebacc and it is seen as a solid academic subject.

Saying that art is very heavy on workload with lots of staying afte school to complete projects.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 25/03/2019 22:08

My DD2 DS 12 GCSEs a could of years ago. She had something like 28 exams. Utter lunacy.

Seriously, I would keep the workload as light as possible. Drama and Art are great but take up a lot of time and headspace and can be pursued as extra curriculars for fun unless you secifically want to take them to A level or further.

DS2 is doing just 9 GCSEs and it’s going to be so much easier for him.

TapasForTwo · 25/03/2019 21:59

BlackPrism GCSEs contain a lot more content these days - probably more than when you took your GCSEs. Also, very little of the content is coursework based, and *no-one needs 13 GCSEs. Even Oxbridge/medicine only want your best 8.

poseybobblehat · 25/03/2019 21:11

The new Drama gcse is a lot of written work, not the easy option it once was

Original poster

Navratilover · 25/03/2019 21:03

Ah, that's interesting Anniehm about not needing GCSE/A-Level Art to pursue it after school.

We've talked again and we're 99% sure she's going to stick with History and Drama and drop Art for now. The workload is a good point - I've known friends' dds who have found it really tough.

OP posts:

anniehm · 25/03/2019 20:50

Art is a really hard subject and every person I know who took it got so stressed by the workload. If she's really gifted in art then she should do it but not because she's "good". You don't need art gcse or a level for art college as most insist on the foundation year and are by portfolio

clary · 25/03/2019 20:27

RS GCSE (theology is just one element) is often compulsory at schools as they have to study it, so they say, may as well do GCSE in it. I don't agree, better as an option IMO but there you go.

Witchend · 25/03/2019 20:06

I doubt she can drop history at school and do one of them instead. There probably won't be either art or drama going on instead of history.

And I don't think she has got a dilemma. She wants to do drama. It's her options so she chooses. I don['t see art being better than drama.

RandomMess · 25/03/2019 19:52

I agree drop Art as drama far less work.

EvaHarknessRose · 25/03/2019 19:48

Don't do it. Too much work.

sollyfromsurrey · 25/03/2019 19:41

So are you saying she would be able to drop History at school? I assume this is the case as you mention the option of taking it as an independent candidate. So if she is allowed to not take history, then just don't have her take it at all. Why people take more than they need to baffles me. Everyone bangs on about how private school kids do better because they have better resources etc but its possibly because every single private school I know limits the number of GCSEs to 9/10. Why do state schools allow kids to take so many when the unis are not interested?

BlackPrism · 25/03/2019 19:38

I did 13 GCSES and did just fine (drama, history, french, RE, bio, Chem, physics, citizenship, sport, English lit, English Lang, maths and ICT). This was in 2010 though so may have been less work (?)

Art is a HUGE workload though and I would drop that one if possible.

Original poster

Navratilover · 25/03/2019 19:14

Yes, I think the extra work would be more than she thinks. 11 GCSEs is already loads, not sure what the thinking is behind making them all do Theology as it isn't even a faith school.

I suppose I think Drama would be easier than Art to pick up at A Level if she wanted to, and she already does loads of drama outside school. But it's up to her in the end.

OP posts:

clary · 25/03/2019 19:00

if she loves drama she should do that. GCSE Art is a massive amount of work and if she is doing ten GCSEs plus Art then she will have a lot on.

Which would she rather do? I wouldn't do history as an extra if I were you. Why make things harder? Lots of students/schools I know are doing 8-9 GCSEs because there is now so much work involved.

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