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Original poster

GCSE option choices

34 replies

gluenotsoup · 07/02/2022 17:46

Hi,
DD is just in the process of choosing her options. She thinks wants to do separate sciences rather than the dual award, so effectively has 3 sciences studied to 3 GCSEs rather than to 2. Her next choice is RS, she will also be doing German and History, already underway. So - she has to choose 5 but can only study 2. She is drama BTec as the next option as a reserve. I’m a bit unsure how to advise her here- is a BTec seen as being as good as a GCSE, or not looked on as favourably? Is she better doing something else at GCSE and discounting BTecs altogether? Or will triple science pile on the pressure when 2 will be just as good, and something like drama shows a rounded set of interests? She swings about what she wants to choose, and doesn’t really have a clue about what she wants to do in the future- sometimes it’s medical, then it’s law, then it’s something random like a spy so I’m advising she just gets as high results as she can in what she enjoys and see what happens on the future to keep options open.
What do you all think? Any advice greatly appreciated 😊

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SeasonFinale · 09/02/2022 21:23

Actually workkng for MI5 or MI6 isn't beyond the realms of possibility. They advertise nowadays for applicants!

Original poster
gluenotsoup · 09/02/2022 18:32

She’s one of the youngest in the year too.

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Original poster
gluenotsoup · 09/02/2022 18:27

😂
It is sweet really! All these grown up choices they have to make, constantly feeling as though they have to be mature, and then those perfect, random little glimpses into the child still inside. They’re to be treasured really. She’s a funny mix, so insightful at times and then goes off on a tangent in case she might be able to work for MI6🥰

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RaskolnikovsGarret · 09/02/2022 18:05

I just think it’s really cute that she might want to be a spy. Smile

SeasonFinale · 09/02/2022 17:59

The good thing about separate science is that say she is good at 2 and bad at 1 she can get grades that reflect her ability rather than a poor score bringing down her overall grade

It would be good to study them separately of she does want to do A levels and then medicine even if not necessary.

She has a good rounded selection.

One thing to be mindful is that some drama courses rely on group collaboration and achieve a group grade! Sometimes this means a higher achievers grade may be brought down others less engaged.

QuizzicalEyebrows · 09/02/2022 17:50

I forget some are only 13 when they choose.

Yes a bit of guidance wouldn't go amiss you're absolutely right.

I'm sure I had more input than I realise. I do tend to drip feed my advice and often give unsolicited advice whereby the DC roll their eyes or just wander off Hmm

Original poster
gluenotsoup · 08/02/2022 17:12

She will definitely have the choice! She’s just conflicted as really she would do triple science, RS and drama, but can only pick two (already chosen between History and Geography in y8), and is yo-yo-img and driving me daft. She is getting a bit stressed about it and the best I can do is help her make an informed choice that makes her happy and keeps future doors open. I think she’ll speak to one of the teachers before making the choice too.

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TeenPlusCat · 08/02/2022 15:58

@QuizzicalEyebrows

I think they should choose their own GCSEs I let mine and they were happy without me I interfering
I agree final choice should be by the pupil. But there is no harm in a parent taking an interest in the pros and cons of choices to ensure the pupil has full information. Some 13 year olds are less mature than others and may need guidance.
QuizzicalEyebrows · 08/02/2022 15:14

I think they should choose their own GCSEs I let mine and they were happy without me I interfering

QuizzicalEyebrows · 08/02/2022 15:12

Our School invites students to take triple science but tbh it's not really necessary. My teens did it and they were fine with the work load.

CornishGem1975 · 08/02/2022 12:44

Our school almost discouraged GCSE students from taking triple science. The course leader (who has a science degree) said it was a lot of work and unnecessary even if you want to do science A levels - doing combined is not a blocker to that.

Given what you've said, I would go for combined, which is enough work on its own and opt for something else that she enjoys. My DD did Art instead, which was nice and creative and gave her a break from the academic subjects.

RedskyThisNight · 08/02/2022 12:30

If it's only 1 class of 30 out of 200 that take triple science, I would probably suggest not doing it in your DD's case as she sounds ambivalent. It also means that there will be really able scientists in the combined science groups.

(My DC's school lets anyone who's not working below a pass level take triple science. It's about a 60/40 split between combined and triple).

Maestrog · 08/02/2022 11:12

@CrimbleCrumble1

In my DC’s school only the DC who were really good at science did triple science. It tended to be the ones who were good at maths too and then they went in to do maths and science A levels.
At ours it's the most able students, science specialists or not. Different schools do it differently though. Some squeeze triple science into the same teaching time as double, others give triple extra teaching time but that means it uses up one of their options. Both have pros and cons and will attract slightly different students. I'm sure there are other ways of doing it but these are the 2 I've come across.

Double science is certainly a solid choice, and the norm across the country, and COVID has left a lot of anxious teens who don't need extra pressure.

JaninaDuszejko · 08/02/2022 10:53

Our school really decides who does triple or double science

Yes, we have had similar, DD1 was told by her form tutor she'd be expected to do it. All the top set for science and maths have been told they are capable of it.

Original poster
gluenotsoup · 08/02/2022 10:41

Gah
Typos- not free choice among others😂

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Original poster
gluenotsoup · 08/02/2022 10:40

I know triple science is just one class, so 30 spaces out of about 200. She’s good at science, but I don’t know if she’s that good, it really is the very top achievers in science, and I suspect she’s probably in the 30 below that if that makes sense. If she wants to put it as her top, knowing everything mentioned her that’s ok, but I want her to be secure in choices 2 and 3 in case it goes to those, which I think it might. In which case RS and drama would actually be quite a nice balance.
I know what you mean about it being a totally free choice- it’s presented as such but there are so many factors at play that we just have to go with it really. I feel reassured by the replies here. 😊

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ChangedToday · 08/02/2022 10:20

Same situation here, but our school really decides who does triple or double science, if you want the other strand you'll need a good discussion with your teachers. The other choices are partly determined by timetabling, some options clash with others so it's not a completely free choice.
I also agree with @Spinnier regarding being in a more motivated class. DD really noticed that for Geography which was not an overly popular option. There are usually a number of BTechs that add interest and variety - encourage her to take one of those.

CrimbleCrumble1 · 08/02/2022 10:10

In my DC’s school only the DC who were really good at science did triple science. It tended to be the ones who were good at maths too and then they went in to do maths and science A levels.

Seeline · 08/02/2022 10:05

The only thing with double science is that if you're not so good at one of them it will pull both grades down. IF you do triple, you may get a low grade in one but you can still get higher grades in the two you are good at.

TeenPlusCat · 08/02/2022 09:01

re grades: DD's school gave 'flightpath' grades. Which were 'from where you are now we would expect you to get something like this in your final GCSEs by the end of y11' grades. Often a range eg 3/4, 5/6 or 7+, especially lower down the school.

Original poster
gluenotsoup · 08/02/2022 08:56

Thanks everyone, there’s lots of really helpful insights here. I think I’ll have a chat with her and share some of the information from here regarding coursework, study levels etc and give her some time to mull it over for herself.
I gave examples of her current grades to give an idea of where she is working, do other schools do it differently? I quite like the system they use because it’s just one set of numbers from y7 to results day which I think helps both students and parents to keep everything in context.
I can see how triple science would be good but heavy going, and that drama might bring a whole other set of soft skills as well as just some creativity which would be lacking in the timetable otherwise. I don’t want her to feel overwhelmed if she doesn’t need to, that’s not going to help anyone is it?
She does dance and piano outside school as well, which takes up some time too, so maybe double science would be a slightly lighter option while not limiting her should she follow the medical route.

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HelloDulling · 08/02/2022 07:27

Three sciences is a lot of work. It’s a lot to do for two years, and then a lot to revise for at the end. Yiu don’t need to have done them to do them separately for A-level, so if she’d enjoy drama, do drama.

TeenPlusCat · 08/02/2022 07:21

Just a quick comment, Drama possibly goes well with enjoying English.

The BTEC will be different, but both my DDs did drama GCSE. English Lit was about the words, Drama GCSE was about everything else (delivery, costume, staging etc).

Spinnier · 08/02/2022 00:12

My DD chose triple science mainly to be in a more motivated class.

Saying she's graded a 5 or 5+ doesn't mean much outside your school, but you should have a sense from that of whether she is generally a low, middle or high achiever. I'm guessing high given her aspirations, which would mean triple science should be in reach.

I would encourage her to do one subject just for fun. Quite a lot of academic kids at our school do a BTec in engineering or something. BTec gives them experience of coursework too. Drama may come with a requirement to be in school productions, but that's usually a huge positive for those who want to take it.

Original poster
gluenotsoup · 07/02/2022 20:06

The school gives end of year target grades and current grades being achieved based on the actual GCSE grades, so in theory if she was to sit them today based on in school tests etc then she would be achieving a 5 on most, some a 4+, some a 5+. The target grades so far have gone up one a year, so I think they will be 6+ in y10 and 7+ on y11. Her actual progress grades are mostly consistent but not quite as linear if you see what I mean. She’s not great at revising yet, leaves her homework to the last minute and flaps a bit in general.
It’s actually really hard to help them isn’t it? I don’t know many people who knew what they wanted to do at 13, I’m probably over thinking it. I didn’t get much advice at that age so trying to be aware of that and help without controlling 😂

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