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Original poster

GCSE History and Geography. A bad idea?

34 replies

MayBlossom · 10/02/2021 14:38

DD is in the process of picking her options. She is contemplating taking both GCSE History and Geography, both subjects she enjoys and is doing well in. At her options chat with a member of the SLT she was warned that this combination would be "very content heavy" and it was almost portrayed as not the done thing. I am concerned she may also end up inadvertently limiting her future A Level choices if she does not do both as she is not going to do anything science or maths based and is highly unlikely to do either Drama or PE at A Level (these are the other two GCSE subjects in the mix). Is doing both HIstory and Geography really such a bad idea? Years ago I did both and also did both at A Level but it was a long time ago and I suspect things have changed considerably since then. Any advice, positive or negative, would be appreciated.

OP posts:
RogetCrochet · 10/02/2021 16:25

I mean both Humanities and Arts/Tech.

RogetCrochet · 10/02/2021 16:24

Entirely normal and quite doable for a child who is interested in these subjects. It would not be seen as strange at all in our school (which is a 'normal' comprehensive) and indeed many children do take both. Over 50% take History and nearly 50% take Geography, of those about half take both. Yes, they are content heavy, esp History, but that style of learning suits some DC better than time heavy Art or Tech subjects (no reason you can't do both of course).

Original poster
MayBlossom · 10/02/2021 16:06

Thanks all for the replies. Glad to hear plenty of positives for doing both. DD definitely prefers humanities to sciences so will end up going down that route for A Levels more than likely. Similar to your DC GU24Mum, Physics may as well be taught in Ancient Greek for all DD understands of it at the moment!

OP posts:
Seeline · 10/02/2021 15:16

My Ds did both a couple of years back, and he really wasn't into essay writing. But he was genuinely interested in both and enjoyed the subjects. It is a lot of work, but I think most GSCEs are these days. So it really helps if it is something you enjoy.

Twizbe · 10/02/2021 15:13

I did both, went on to do a levels in Biology, geography and classics, did a degree in classics.

Bramshott · 10/02/2021 15:07

I'd say a great idea and the best way of keeping her options open for the future!

DD1 did both history & geography and we were trying to persuade DD2 to do the same (form due in tomorrow) but I think she'll opt for Drama instead of the Geography.

Bee0808 · 10/02/2021 14:53

Ds1 did both.
Loved both.
Got an 8 in both.
But....yes. They are both VERY content heavy, especially history.
I would say its more manageable if her school starts the gcse content in year 9 which ds1s did.

GU24Mum · 10/02/2021 14:51

But if she enjoys the content then go for it! My DC did those plus RE and double science. No-one says that three different science subjects is a lot but in reality I'm sure quite a few children would rather do more humanities and drop a science subject.

My DC (who has problems remembering things) definitely found there to be lots of history but she enjoyed most of the course whereas physics could well have been a Hogwarts subject for the amount she understood it!

BaconMassive · 10/02/2021 14:44

"both subjects she enjoys and is doing well in"

There's your answer.

Both great subjects and both leave loads of options still open.

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