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Original poster

Tell me about Citizenship GCSE. Which is apparently compulsory at my DD's school. She doesn't want to do it.

431 replies

bellinisurge · 28/01/2021 10:44

As it says in the subject, Citizenship GCSE has now been deemed compulsory at my DD's school. She would prefer to do Triple Science but doesn't want to lose a free space in her GSCE options to do it. She deliberately didn't go to a faith school (despite being in a feeder primary) to avoid having RE GCSE forced on her.
Any suggestions?

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Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 19:58

My view too. I know she'll enjoy it (although I have warned her they may be quite a lot of project work and write-ups) .
She gets a buzz out of that side of things and it may take her along career avenues she hadn't considered before.

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Ginfordinner · 31/01/2021 19:55

I think there's a lot to be said to letting them freewheel a bit, tbh, because so long as they have the essentials at a good level, a GCSE is a GCSE.

I agree

I have been very clear to her that you shouldn't make options decisions based on teachers. However the one she thinks she'll end up with is her current PSHE teacher who doesn't inspire her.

In my experience an inspirational teacher makes a huge difference. DD thrived and did exceptionally well in the subjects where she had excellent teachers.

SusannaSpider · 31/01/2021 19:38

I found the suggestions that art/craft based subjects aren't for academic pupils fairly offensive tbh.
My DD is v. academic and is taking art and a DT subject (graphics), there's nothing wrong with taking a couple of things that you enjoy and it's good to keep your options open. She is also taking all three sciences. Our school doesn't offer citizenship, although they have the option of Global Perspectives and RE is compulsory.
I think the issue is how narrow their education becomes in KS4, especially in those schools that only sit 8 GCSEs, it's a shame really.

Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 18:27

@Flipflops123 , that's what I would have expected. It would probably get a lot of positive choice from children who find history or geography too dry

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Flipflops123 · 31/01/2021 18:18

I think it's a great subject for today's world. Although I am surprised it didn't come under the Humanities options

Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 18:05

@MintyCedric , that is the approach I am taking where I can: her choice and whatever support we can give we will. This is tough enough without doing anything you are interested in. It is inevitable that she won't like some stuff and she will have to put up with that as we all have to in life. However, if there are possibilities to explore for changing that I will try. Without making her any promises.

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Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 18:00

That's the thing, @borntobequiet . I have been very clear to her that you shouldn't make options decisions based on teachers. However the one she thinks she'll end up with is her current PSHE teacher who doesn't inspire her. I've met him and despite my usual "the teacher is always right" approach, I privately didn't think he was that inspiring either.

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MintyCedric · 31/01/2021 17:56

@bellinisurge I don't particularly agree with those comments either tbh.

I took Business Studies...loved it, got an A.

Supported DD in taking Music GCSE (also on target for an A) even though it has precisely sweet FA to do with any future education or career options.

I think there's a lot to be said to letting them freewheel a bit, tbh, because so long as they have the essentials at a good level, a GCSE is a GCSE.

I get that having limited options is a monumental pain in the arse, we've been there, but unfortunately it is what it is.

Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 17:32

Ironic comment @MintyCedric , given how sniffy other posters were about my daughter's other preferences of business studies and Textiles.
I personally think it's a very interesting subject because of my work but she doesn't.

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borntobequiet · 31/01/2021 17:26

If it’s taught imaginatively and well by someone who is genuinely interested and knowledgeable she’ll probably benefit greatly and possibly enjoy it. If it’s palmed off to teachers who are not particularly interested and aren’t given time or resources to prepare properly, it could be a frustrating waste of time.

MintyCedric · 31/01/2021 17:22

@bellinisurge

Frodunt, a snide comment about whether my child is actually academic because of her GCSE preferences is an insult directed at my child. Despicable
And yet you appear to have no problem insulting those whose kids are taking Citizenship GCSE by insisting on banging on about how it's 'worthless', 'easy' and a 'waste of time', despite several posters trying to clarify the content and value of the subject.

Double standards much?!

The bottom line is, if it is a compulsory option at your daughter's school you are unlikely to convince them to change the entire structure of their GCSE programme to suit your child, but I wish you the very best of luck trying.

Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 17:03

Thanks @Ginfordinner . Very useful. I'm speaking to the form tutor this week for Parents Evening. She's very good and if she isn't in a position to tell me more about options stuff, she will direct me to the right person.

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Ginfordinner · 31/01/2021 16:31

I have been looking at DD's old school's website and they have introduced a new GCSE called Belief and Ethics. It sounds really interesting and covers studying Christianity and one other religion, medical, environmental and animal ethics, peace and conflict, marriage and family, same sex relationships, crime and punishment. This takes up 6 hours per fortnight.

They devote 9 hours per fortnight to maths, 9 hours per fortnight to English (lang and lit, not sure how that is divided up) and 8 hours a week for those taking triple science. I think all the optional subjects devote 6 hours per fortnight, but I'm not sure.

I hope this gives you some guidance @bellinisurge

Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 16:03

Thanks again @saraclara

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saraclara · 31/01/2021 15:45

Quotation? Question. Thanks autocorrect.

saraclara · 31/01/2021 15:45

What's the matter with people today?

I don't see why this straightforward quotation has got people all riled up. No-one wants their kid's important exam choices restricted by pointless options. It was a fair question. Several of us (including teachers like me who have taken no offence whatsoever) have reassured OP that it will be an extra rather than an instead of, and take very little timetable space. That's all that was needed.

Seriously, people seem to have lost their minds.

Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 15:39

More snide unhelpfulnrss. Always unwelcome

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Rightleftupdown · 31/01/2021 15:05

That poor, poor school. Would love to see how this pans out when the OPs DD gets into the workplace.

CorianderBee · 31/01/2021 14:51

No worries, it's really not RE. It's about society, some of how parliament works, some about how to be a good member of society etc. Might have to present to some year 7s at some point but not much else.

Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 14:50

Thanks @CorianderBee . That's helpful.

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CorianderBee · 31/01/2021 14:49

Well she has to because it's mandatory. I also had this at secondary and honestly it's so easy.

We watched films (The Green Mile, Escape from Sobibor). We did presentations on the Royal Family, Recycling, environment, ethics.

It was laughably easy. Most of us got A*.

Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 14:21

According to you, it seems an academic child can't be academically strong and still want to do more technical subjects.
Then you assumed I was ordering her to do various subjects.
Really got some odd ideas playing out here.

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Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 14:18

You insulted her by saying she wasn't academic because she doesn't conform to your idea of an academic child.

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Original poster
bellinisurge · 31/01/2021 14:17

I started the thread to get information on this compulsory GSCE . Useful people posted.
Other less useful people posted .
I absorbed the useful information.
The less useful and often horrible posts pissed me off and I called out posters who persisted in it.

OP posts:
Frodont · 31/01/2021 14:15

Insult her how? By suggesting business studies and dt aren't academic choices?

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