Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

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

Original poster

GCSE options - music withdrawn - what should child do?

36 replies

GCSEmusichelp · 09/05/2022 09:48

Hello - name changed for this as identifying.

We have two girls at the same large comprehensive - year 8 and year 10. School has always prided itself on balanced curriculum and offered lots of Arts subjects. Both my girls enjoy music and drama and it has been a given that they would be able to study the GCSEs there. DD1 already is in both cases.

During Covid the school lost its main music teacher. DD2 was incredibly sad about this as she loves music most, and wants (probably not definitely) to be a musician of some type. Of course older years were prioritised for what music teacher time they had. Her class has had supply teachers taking music all this year, and it has been very very dull.

The school does its GCSE options picking in Year 8 for Year 9. As a result of the lack of interesting lessons, only four children in the entire school have picked GCSE music, and predictably the school will not run with this number.

DD2 is very sad and angry. She feels that the school deprioritised her favourite subject and now no-one wants to take it. The school has had no concerts or performance opportunities, and has lost its orchestra and many ensembles.

Dance, drama and sport are very 'visible' but music is no longer mentioned or promoted - because no teacher.

A new teacher has now been hired. The school is offering her GCSE music after school as a result. However, they didn't see through their last 'twilight' subject (pulled it after a year) and with four children interested I'm not sure they will see through this one.

She's also worried about the fact that the school's other music offerings are now so underwhelming.

For context, she probably doesn't need the GCSE to take A-Level (though she would need to learn to compose). She is preparing for grade 8 on her main instrument (has grade 7) and is grade 5 and 6 on her two others. She also sings and has grade 5 theory.

She chose the GCSE because she couldn't imagine not having music in her day - so I think will be a bit sad if it continues to decline.

Her options are basically
a) take the twilight option and stay at the school - she's broadly happy but not amazingly so. It is the 'devil you know' in terms of school and her sister has been well served there.
b) find a school with better music nearby - we are in London so have options - and hope she settles and has better opportunities
c) Drop music GCSE and assume she can take A-Level with her instrumental grades and a bit of composition tuition?

What would people do in her situation? She's only 12, so this feels very early to be thinking about A-Levels etc but I guess we have to be realistic.

Thanks for any thoughts!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
BuanoKubiamVej · 10/05/2022 17:21

I would move schools. Twilight GCSEs aren't a great way to manage things and you'll certainly have a school with strong music activities somewhere nearby. Could she try for a music scholarship at an independent?

Comefromaway · 10/05/2022 17:14

GCSES have changed dramatically. My two kids have both taken gcse music in the last few years. Neither found it easy and both aspire to musical careers.

Kango · 10/05/2022 16:17

LindaEllen · 09/05/2022 10:55

To be honest, given your DD's achievements on her instruments, both practical and theory, she would find GCSE music boring and far too easy anyway.

A Level is much better, and I found it quite challenging - a HUGE step up from GCSE.

I went into it with similar qualifications to your DD (so she will be even better when she gets there).

I would suggest maybe having a look through the syllabus online and seeing what's involved, just to make sure she's up to date with the knowledge, but honestly - she's so far ahead she would find it boring.

Did you take your GCSE a while ago @LindaEllen? I would be interested to know if A Level is currently a huge step up from GCSE (given that all A Levels are a step-up, of course).

Original poster
GCSEmusichelp · 10/05/2022 13:01

That's sad too @theTurn0ftheScrew - i do feel sorry for these teachers - it's been a horrid few years and i'm sure they are feeling overworked and underpaid.

Dd has a Saturday school that isn't a million miles from being a JD - they don't offer the actual GCSE at present but are looking at how they can support her.

She's not keen on changing that at all - feels far more at home there than at actual school I think, so I don't think would want to audition elsewhere. Sounds like it will work really well for your DD though - she's done well to get this far with so little encouragement from school.

OP posts:
Hiphopfrogger · 10/05/2022 12:58

If she’s doing plenty of music outside school I really wouldn’t worry. I did music GCSE and A Level and I think the only things that aren’t covered in the ABRSM exams that you might learn at school are about the different musical styles and period (these are covered in ABRSM aural exams but not enough). So do lots of listening (classic fm is great), get to know different composers and how to recognise different styles. And if she’s really talented, look at one of the junior conservatoires at RAM/RCM etc.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 10/05/2022 12:45

Sadly my DC's school is similar. It's a one-person music department, and that person is (IMO) burnt out and has a very narrow focus. No orchestra or other ensembles available. GCSE music was not offered to the current year tens due to low take-up. My elder DC is strongly considering music A level, and so applied to a conservatoire junior department. They have quite a strong academic music focus, and I think will prepare her for A level well (she starts there in September when she's in year 11). Might that work for your DC?

Original poster
GCSEmusichelp · 10/05/2022 12:29

Thank you. I will pm you Malbecfan as that is a good point. We have started researching other schools and I've put in some applications. It is actually really sad because as a family, our preference has always been to send the children to the nearest school; and work with it if anything did go wrong, rather than to run away.

But I worry that i'm in danger of becoming that 'bloody music mum' (and I'm not even musical!), who complains about this when the school clearly feels it is irrelevant when there are actual important things to deal with - like mental health and year 11s.

It's not a situation we want to be in for the rest of DD2's time at school (and the wrangling over it will not be good for DD1 either - who is really cross on her sister's behalf).

The new head of music has still not actually spoken to DD2 about this, or ever heard her play an instrument or sing. This doesn't bode particularly well, though of course I understand she's busy with Year 11. Hopefully one of the other local options will have space and might grab DD's attention - because of course it is quite hard to have the discussion about something else being 'better' when you don't know what the 'better' might be.

OP posts:
Malbecfan · 10/05/2022 11:57

I sympathise. I'm a music teacher and the pandemic and curtailing of performance opportunities has been soul-destroying. That said, my "new this year" y7/8 choir now has around 25 stalwarts and is up against sports clubs. The main orchestra has around 40 players and I started a junior one in September which has around 20 players, again up against sports clubs. It is possible and I know I am lucky in that my Head is very pro-Music.

It is worth looking at other schools IMO. However, nobody yet has mentioned taking Music GCSE externally. One of my old uni friends teaches this to students from all over the place online. If you think this might be of interest, PM me and I'll find the name of his organisation.

Billybagpuss · 09/05/2022 13:58

It’s so sad that music doesn’t always get the priority it deserves. So frustrating.

options you could maybe consider, rather than the gcse she could do grade 6 theory, this is a useful exam anyway (way more useful than gcse imo) that is a prerequisite for the Abrsm teaching diplomas and covers composition. She could also maybe consider an open university music certificate in lieu of the A level.

good luck.

bendmeoverbackwards · 09/05/2022 13:52

Honestly? GCSE Music won’t be much of a challenge to a clearly very able and talented musician. I wouldn’t move schools for that reason alone. If she is happy overall with her other subjects and her friends etc it’s a bit of a gamble to move.

Original poster
GCSEmusichelp · 09/05/2022 13:35

Yes, I'm aware it doesn't count with admissions - might be helpful at appeal though...

OP posts:
TeenPlusCat · 09/05/2022 13:00

re other state schools wanting / not wanting her.

What they 'want' is broadly immaterial, if they have a space they have to take her. if they don't have a space you'd have to appeal (using better offer of music as the reason).

Original poster
GCSEmusichelp · 09/05/2022 12:14

Thanks - we will also look at private schools, though I don't think many offer scholarships out of the usual entry points. One of her instruments (not her first) is a serious shortage instrument though, so maybe that is in her favour?

She has grade 5 theory - not that she remembers all of it as she took it in year 6 over lockdown. She certainly hasn't continued brushing up her theory knowledge since then, except insofar as she has needed it for practical work.

OP posts:
Mumoftwoinprimary · 09/05/2022 12:04

I think you need to go and look at some other schools. Either other schools will also be lacklustre - in which case she may as well stay with her friends. Or you might find one that has 60 doing GCSE, 30 doing A level, 3 orchestras, monthly concerts, musical theatre shows etc.

I am assuming that private schooling is not an option? What about with a music scholarship. The only secondary that I know of that does the above is private.

Comefromaway · 09/05/2022 12:00

The OP's dd has Grade 5 theory. Assuming ABRSM she would have had t take it t be taking her Grade 8

ElizabethBennetismybestfriend · 09/05/2022 11:58

Do Grade 5 theory. If she is planning to go beyond Grade 5 on an instrument she will need it and many sixth forms will accept it instead of GCSE Music

Original poster
GCSEmusichelp · 09/05/2022 11:55

Thanks all.

I think, having realised they've messed this up they are trying very hard to return the music to something better. They've started a Grade 5 plus ensemble this term (very much a rag tag band of flute, trumpet, one piano and a violin at present, but it is something and shows willing), and there are supposedly now two choirs (though DD2 seems to be the lynchpin of both of them despite the fact she isn't technically old enough for the senior one and it only has five people in it).

It is a start - but anyone who knew the school's music pre-pandemic would be really shocked I think. There are musicians in other years, some of whom are exceptionally good, and children have previously taken A-level at this school and gone on to serious universities and conservatoire to read music. Maybe they can get it back.

The school have just confirmed she can do her other GCSE options, which are frankly weird. Her backup option was Dance BTEC (which almost no-one else offers), and they've confirmed that she can do this, Latin and Drama as well as twilight music. It would be hard to get that combination in the state sector anywhere else I think. I was expecting they might not offer the latin, but the music was a shock.

I've emailed other local schools with known music departments - at least we will then know if we have options. I shouldn't imagine the school will want to lose her, and I don't think any other school will not want to have her - she has never had a behaviour point and gets great results in all her subjects.

We know she's lucky to have great music elsewhere - it's just whether that will end up being enough for her.

OP posts:
boysmuminherts · 09/05/2022 11:32

I would 100% move schools as it's your DD favourite subject. I was taking Grade 8 on 2 instruments by GCSE and it wasn't boring at all. It's about all the rest - orchestras, ensembles, choir etc. Then did A level and degree.

Comefromaway · 09/05/2022 11:16

LindaEllen · 09/05/2022 10:55

To be honest, given your DD's achievements on her instruments, both practical and theory, she would find GCSE music boring and far too easy anyway.

A Level is much better, and I found it quite challenging - a HUGE step up from GCSE.

I went into it with similar qualifications to your DD (so she will be even better when she gets there).

I would suggest maybe having a look through the syllabus online and seeing what's involved, just to make sure she's up to date with the knowledge, but honestly - she's so far ahead she would find it boring.

It's not just about GCSE though, its about the whole ethos of music provision. At a school where music is taken seriously then GCSE music will not be boring or easy.

INeedNewShoes · 09/05/2022 11:11

If you possibly can, please move her to a school with better music provision.

I went to a school like your DD's where few kids pursued academic music. The school 'orchestra' was a hodge podge of 5 flutes, 2 clarinets, a trumpet, drums and a guitar. They did hold concerts twice a year so at least there were performance opportunities. GCSE music was a group of 6 kids, with only one other actually interested in music.

I left because I would have literally been on the only pupil taking A level music. There are parts of the syllabus you can't even cover if you don't have other musicians to play music with.

I moved schools and it was an absolute breath of fresh air to go to a school where music was a thing that loads of them did. Having been a big fish in a small pond I went to being a medium fish in a bigger pond and all of a sudden had to strive to keep up a bit.

I went on and did a music degree and was a tiny fish in a big pond and had to work really hard to get my playing up to the same level as everyone else.

If I had my time again I 100% would have moved schools earlier, for my GCSEs. I was so much happier after I moved. Music is a very social subject and moving to a school full of other musicians meant I fitted in much better generally too.

LindaEllen · 09/05/2022 10:55

To be honest, given your DD's achievements on her instruments, both practical and theory, she would find GCSE music boring and far too easy anyway.

A Level is much better, and I found it quite challenging - a HUGE step up from GCSE.

I went into it with similar qualifications to your DD (so she will be even better when she gets there).

I would suggest maybe having a look through the syllabus online and seeing what's involved, just to make sure she's up to date with the knowledge, but honestly - she's so far ahead she would find it boring.

NoSquirrels · 09/05/2022 10:42

She doesn't really want to leave her friends

This move would have to be driven by her. Unless another school can offer amazing provision, and wows her, just let her decide. It sounds like she has masses of opportunity in her out of school time, you’re in London so there’s plenty to get involved with and current school is offering twilight club. Perhaps she could make it a mission, with the other interested kids, to get the school to take notice next year with new teacher and do some grass roots campaigning…

Comefromaway · 09/05/2022 10:42

Both dd and ds had a non negotiable subject. For ds it was music. No music GCSE and he would have changed schools. It made school bearable for him.

Original poster
GCSEmusichelp · 09/05/2022 10:42

The Sixth form (just to make this even more identifying but I'm a bit past caring) is mixed between DDs school and the local boys' comprehensive school, which makes the A-level a possibility, but I agree not that likely.

As I say I can't really get my head round her thinking about her A-Levels when she's only 12, but I suspect the assumption is now she'll move for Sixth Form anyway.

OP posts:
clary · 09/05/2022 10:38

LouisRenault · 09/05/2022 10:36

But if she moves to a different school, what guarantee is there that the same thing won't happen there in the next two or three years - teacher leaves and can't be immediately replaced, or opportunities for orchestra, performance etc are reduced for whatever reason?

Presumably OP would research a school with a stronger music offering. DCs' school is rareish in our area in that it offers music A level (many do not) and as I said, DD's friend moved to somewhere with an even better focus. They are not going to drop down their music as they are known for it locally. Friend is now at music college in London btw wow

Swipe left for the next trending thread