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Original poster

Last minute panic - number of GCSEs?

79 replies

Ilikecheeses · 29/10/2023 09:39

I’m about to submit the secondary form and a friend of mine mentioned they weren’t putting ‘x’ school and ‘y’ school because they only do 8 GCSEs and have one free option. I’ll admit I had a look at what range was offered to make sure it was balanced between academic/practical/some vocational but I didn’t look in detail at the number of GCSEs they allow their pupils to do so it’s come as a bit of a shock to me that the nice ranges of subjects I looked at is completely pointless.

School 1 - 8 GCSEs
English x2, maths, Science x2, French, history or geography, one free choice.

School 2 - 9 GCSEs
English x2, maths, science x3, French or German, history or geography, one free choice.

School 3 - 8/9 GCSEs
English x2, maths, science x2/3, an EBacc subject from french, German, history, geography or computer science, 2 free choices.

There are some other schools which offer 9 and have 2 free options. But the ones on my list, which are the ones mentioned above, all seem pretty similar to me. School 3 is more flexible and doesn’t insist on EBacc, the other 2 insist on EBacc. Does it matter? Or is this pointless worry? Should I stick with what I originally planned which was chosen based on other factors?

OP posts:
GHSP · 29/10/2023 09:54

I would rule out school 1 because of the lack of triple science. Makes it much harder to do science at A Level and that cuts off lots of good career choices.

LIZS · 29/10/2023 09:52

Tbh it seems early to fret over it. If two schools seem equal it is perhaps a tie breaker, but things can change in a few years and much will be down to timetabling especially a "free" choice,

clary · 29/10/2023 09:48

I mean it shouldn’t be the only factor in your preference if school! If 1 and 2 are better in other ways then that weighs in too.

clary · 29/10/2023 09:47

I’d be concerned if school 1 doesn’t offer triple science tbh.

But eight like that with one choice is not unusual sadly. It’s so they can get better grades. I’m not a fan but it’s certainly not the only factor.