My son wants to take GCSE Child development

Yes it’s awful looking back and sad that it still seems to be the same attitude. Although in hindsight my school was not set up at all for vocational routes so maybe they had to save all the places on that course for the people who wanted something vocational as there was nothing else for them. Which is the schools fault, not theirs!

When I worked in secondary childcare and development was offered to a lot of the less able students as it was seen as relatively easy . So in this sense he will probably enjoy it and find it an easy one to get a good grade in . Also it is interesting! I really don’t think it matters in his long term prospects - good to have shown an interest and really it’s the alevel choices that will matter .

I feel that if you’re keen on something and enjoy it you’ll perform better. A good teacher should encourage people to take subjects they are passionate about. (Not sure as I don’t know any teachers, but surely?).
As for him being the only male in the class I wonder if that could work to his advantage? I found that the odd male on my previous courses meant that they were really determined to be there and always did very well.
Whatever he chooses OP may we all wish him success and a long and happy career.

I think it would be a brilliant subject in combination with psychology.

Good on him!

I did it as I thought it would look good because I wanted to be a teacher. When I did there was a fair amount of biology in it. I enjoyed it and it was an easy A* at the time because I was interested. Better for him to do something he has an interest in.

How sad. So would those people who mistakenly thought it was for those of reputedly “less academically” lump everyone taking a more vocational route as inferior?! Writing off swathes of people who wished to pursue child development then nursing? I’m not sure anyone should be talking anyone out of their dreams if they have their heart set on a particular gcse.

'you do know that there will be some focus on reproduction and pregnancy?'

As there will be in biology GCSE… 🙄 Are you sure she wasn’t saying that because she thought your DS was taking the subject because he was mostly interested in psychological development?

TBH, if she is genuinely trying to discourage your DS, that would be my only concern about choosing it.

My son has applied for medicine this year and nowhere that we looked specified GCSEs subjects beyond maths, English, science. The ones that score them look at the top 8 grades so choose whatever he will do best in. Not all universities use GCSE grades anyway - there is most emphasis on UCAT score which they sit summer of Y12.

I wanted to do this when I was at school and was dissuaded by the teachers saying it was meant for the less academic pupils and I was too clever to spend time learning to look after babies, if I wanted to go to uni I shouldn’t pick it. Tbh the reason I wanted to do it was for some relief from the academic subjects! A younger relative was also told the same a couple of years ago, it’s very much seen as something for the students who aren’t going to do well academically

What you've said just reinforces my point. The point of these extra GCSEs is not just to be 'useful for a future career'. It's to allow him to explore his likes and dislikes, widen his horizons, practice skills, and hopefully learn some interesting things.

I'm a scientist. Have my GCSEs in music, textiles and 2 foreign languages been 'useful' for my career? They have not.
Have they all enriched my life in numerous and unexpected ways since I did them 20 years ago? They have.

I’d say let him take it, what if you prevented it and he always regretted it? I took it in 1995 and it got me onto a health and social care NVQ as a result, after that I’ve enjoyed an amazing career in nursing and Midwifery- 20 years now as a midwife, and I don’t regret my choice (Dad was very against it at the time). Let them make their own path, there’s so much he can use it for if not nursing.

Good advice but I would add that your DS has chosen 2 essay based subjects already (psychology and history) so essay writing skills are already covered. I wouldn’t choose another essay based subject purely for the reason of essay writing skills being useful. Is he taking English Lit or RS as core subjects? They are also essay based, as is sociology.

Do you know whether the course is Cambridge national or Btec? As they are both a little different. The Cambridge national includes a lot about anatomy, contraception, childbirth etc for the exam. I played a childbirth video also to my pupils. It then has coursework about a nursery setting and child development between specific ages. It actually does make the course much more interesting than the BTEC which is mainly about child development/skills etc. It is worth looking at both specifications which are easily available online to see what topics will be taught to see if they interest him.

Good for him. He might end up in the minority of fathers who actually take an interest in their children's development and are prepared to share the load equally to give them the best possible start in life.

Are you sure that the teacher is discouraging him because he is a boy? Shocking if that is true. DS’s GF hated her textiles class because a lot of disruptive kids chose it because they thought it was an easy option and they could mess around.

DH is a retired senior lecturer in Psychology at an RG University and was involved in admissions. this is what he thinks:

All the above comments have validity - it’s a multidimensional issue. Bottom line is do well in core subjects and carefully check what the A-level requirements are for chosen degree. As long as core stuff is covered at GCSE then A-level grades for chosen degree are the most important. Most disciplines need you to be able to communicate effectively (both written and spoken), so anything where these skills are developed is good. Many universities no longer do interviews, so what’s on paper counts. Keeping options open is always a good choice, but ultimately a decision has to be made! Child psychology will be covered in Psychology - so can be seen as repetitive or supporting the core. It might even be the topic that cements or disengaged interest. For the chosen subjects, having good numeracy and literacy skills is a must. Many of the degrees interested in are female dominated (e.g., psychology is typically 70% women), but the BPS (British Psychological Society) is working hard to change the perception of the subject at school level. Statistics would be great to strengthen numerical skills but won’t provide the essay-based skills which Child Psychology would. The only thing that matters is the grades.

Hope that helps!

Yes, absolutely he should take child development if he wants to! I’ve worked in a high school and have seen boys take child development, though greatly outnumbered by girls.
It sounds like it will fit in really well if he does indeed go on to work in healthcare/ social care / medicine.
Am very surprised that the teacher is trying to talk him out of it. It’s not a waste at all, it’s a very interesting subject and I think your son is right in wanting to have one subject that’s less full on.

I had a male friend who always wanted to work in early childhood (may not be the case for your son). He now runs a nursery. The children love him. He plays 3 musical instruments which really commands the room, does sport with them. Sadly it is too far from us or I would have sent my kids there no problem.

What a shame that at GCSE, which is maybe the last time in your life where you are actively encouraged to take a wide range of subjects to (hopefully) become a well rounded person with diverse interests and understandings, that you are so focused on what will be 'useful' for his future. I can't believe that you describe a creative subject as pointless! Honestly, let the lad poor choose what he loves and is interested in. Even (shock horror) healthcare and science professionals are allowed to have other interests too.

My DD is doing this as a BTEC. It wasn't my first choice but she's doing really well in it. He will still have his core GCSE subjects so give him some choice where he can.