Please critique these GCSE option choices

My DD (now Y11) is doing Creative Media BTEC and loves it. I had reservations when she chose it - both about time commitment but also how "academic" it was - (and posted on here about being an academic snob!) but I have been really impressed with the course content. Really interesting coursework about target audiences, use of different media as well as practical skills in filming/editing etc. I genuinely think it is one of the most interesting and potentially relevant courses for any number of future careers/interests. It doesn't seem to have been a big time commitment (and she is getting distinction plus in her coursework so she is not shirking!). She is doing it alongside 10 GCSEs (usual Maths, English x 2, 3 x science + Geog and Spanish and now Further Maths in Y11 only) so I'm delighted it will be one less exam next summer. You can tell how impressed I've been with creative media BTEC!

Ah, DD’s school do a 3 year GCSE course so options are picked in Y8.

She’s in Y9 so only started it this term - so far everything is done in class (3 hours a week). Her school aren’t big on homework though - max 30 minutes per subject every 3 weeks or so, if that.

*has a specific entry requirement

GCSE choices don't make much of a difference if any, unless you let them. GCSE grades are more important than subjects except when a specific course at a specific 6th form has a specific.

Every "wrong subject" and "bad grade" at GCSE (allegedly a B for some 6th forms to do that subject - ridiculous, I've got a degree in a subject I got a C at GCSE in although one does need to be prepared to work hard at Level 3 to mitigate this and that includes not just the set homework) can be dealt with. Some children are getting far too stressed because their parents or schools keep telling them they will ruin their lives if they get it wrong at 16. She should do her best at her core subjects and choose options she will work hard at. That's it.

If she is into and preferably quite good at arts subjects, that is fine. Geography and psychology are the study of humans (geography in part as there is obvious the geology side in there too) and go well together, and psychology goes well with arts. She'll be doing some sciences too and maths I assume as they are compulsory, so the geography and psychology also pair up with. It's a myth that you need to have sort of one subject from each "category" that often doesn't make sense for an individual who knows what they like and are good at. It is good she is being given 4 options. What does she want to do at A-level/Level 3?

Btw it's called BTEC these days (it has gone through lots of variations though over the decades).

I think they're fine as options.

DD is doing the Creative Media BTEC and loves it - it's wider focus than an Art type GCSE and so far the homework has been very manageable. Lots on things like identifying audiences etc. Would be a good fit with psychology and the Art.

Plus one less exam.

Whether they have an impact on future life choices or not (depending on how far into the future you are thinking) is a different discussion and I actually disagree with your stance. The main point I was making however is, there is nothing wrong with OP asking their question and it's very ignorant of that poster that was telling OP to, 'step a step back!'.

Honestly, people overthink GCSEs far too much. They need maths and English, and some form of science. Anything more than that should be what they enjoy or what they're interested in, given they have to spend 2 years studying it.

GCSE choices can be important in terms of A'Level options though, it can be difficult to get onto an A'Level course for a subject that was available at GCSE (assuming sixth form at the same school) but not taken. Other than that it makes likely difference, as long as a good result is gained in English and Maths.

I definitely advised dd on her choices, I attended meetings at school and was involved in the process, but it was ultimately her choice, she had to do the work.

@PeacewithinLily does her out of school dance get her a recognised qualification? If yes then not doing the GCSE makes sense.
I think out of school dance + art + creative media might be a bit much. Shame. Because I think they all so sound good to do.
(Personally I can't dance so wouldn't have chosen GCSE dance but I am still a bit bitter - 30 years later - that we could only do one 'art' subject and one humanities subject but it was compulsory to do science and a language which I had zero interest in 😕)

@PeacewithinLily This might sound a silly question....but why isn't she doing GCSE dance if she wants to be a dance teacher?

@Tonty Your argument makes sense in most contexts, but not with regard to GCSE choices. I think most people who have replied to the OPs post are aware that GCSE options rarely have an impact on future life choices. There are obviously a few exceptions to this, but teachers and schools will have made children well aware of these.

Why do people post nonsense like this? It's called Parenting. Parenting includes supporting your dc and advising them, especially at crucial points of their lives e.g education ensuring they are armed with all the correct information and understand the difference between choosing one subject or the other and how it might open doors or limit choices in the future. They need all this to make the best decision. That's why MN is so popular. Not sitting back and folding your arms watching them stumbling about! because, 'it's good practice for when you don't have a choice', (whatever that means), they'll learn!. Perhaps that's the type of 'hands off' parenting you had, I call that poor parenting and neglect.

With Geography, Art and Psychology she'd be a good candidate for Landscape Architecture as a career!

Dd did art, photography and graphic design GCSEs and got good grades in all her GCSEs. If your dc is organised, passionate and motivated it is doable.