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Original poster

Textiles or astonomy gcse?

60 replies

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 10:20

My daughter is in yr 8 and has to choose options early as they have a 3 year gcse. Her experience of secondary school so far has been covid affected so choosing options is a bit tricky! She hasn't used a sewing machine as that had to be demonstrated from the front at the time etc.

She is interested in both astronomy and textiles. They are pretty much polar oposites aren't they?

Does anyone know anything about either course that could help her decide? Its her final choice so the "extra" but she is aware either would take a lot of time. Textiles because of the coursework presumably and astronomy to get to grips with the maths/physics.

From googling it looks like there is a difference between textiles art and textiles tech. This is the tech one where half the course is the same as graphics it seems.

OP posts:

CinnabarRed · 28/11/2021 10:28

I did a degree in Astronomy, but didn’t know it was even possible at GCSE!

I loved my degree, and found it fascinating. But as a general observation (ha! See what I did there?) it has literally no application to real life so it’s hard to imagine that she would develop transferrable skills. Sure, it’s essentially a physics/maths discipline - if she wants to develop those skills then do physics and maths.

I now have an excellent professional career in an entirely unrelated field. Have never used my degree as anything other than an interesting start to job interviews.

Original poster

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 10:36

Oooh an astronomy degree! I dont think she will have a career in textiles either tbf...

She's a bright all rounder so not obviously falling maths/science or humanities. She is taking history amd RP but at times has been interested in medicine /engineering. She's only 12 so who knows!

She would have taken psychology gcse if they'd offered it . And was interested in engineering and sports btecs the other school does (her school does pe gcse requiring a decent level at soorts whereas she just enjoys it.)

She'll be hoping for what used to be As and Bs but I doubt shes a "9 across the board " more of a generally good at things as opposed to genius!

OP posts:

Original poster

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 10:38

She will be doing 3 seperate sciences and maths as compulsory anyway. Maybe this would help? Although I imagine if its on a bell curve its one of those brighter kids tend to take so may be harder to achieve well in?

She likes music too. So maybe this would balance up towards science a bit.

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Ilkleymoor · 28/11/2021 10:43

Textiles. I was very academic, did all academic choices. Should have dropped one language and done textiles or drama, both of which I was good at. Unlikely I would have a career in either but the soft skills are great, well rounded choices still at an early stage plus the confidence in testing and sharing early work gives a very useful life skill. Most importantly, I enjoyed them.

MissCreeAnt · 28/11/2021 10:48

I've never heard of astronomy GCSE either.

Any sort of Tech is brilliant for breaking up the week and giving a little light relief from more academic subjects. DD is v academic but she loves hers (not textiles, but I don't think that matters - the point is it's her favourite of the techs on offer to her.) It's also good for her self esteem to develop her practical skills IMO.

CinnabarRed · 28/11/2021 10:49

Most importantly, I enjoyed them.

This - she should do what she enjoys because she’ll apply herself more!

If she’s truly torn then I’d lean towards textiles. Because she’s already doing maths and three sciences, so textiles adds a new dimension that astronomy wouldn’t give her.

Greygreenblue · 28/11/2021 10:49

If she’s already doing 3 sciences and maths then surely textiles? I know nothing about the English system but surely in grade 8 you’d still want to have a broader set of subjects so she can make a more informed decision when she gets older and really has to specialise??

RampantIvy · 28/11/2021 10:50

I thought the government were trying to phase out three year GCSE courses.

I think your DD might need to keep her options open in case there is insufficient take up of her preferred choice. They won't be able to run the course if not enough pupils want to do it.

Original poster

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 10:56

There has historically always been enough pupils to run the classes in these subjects so not too worried about that at the moment. She would put the other down as a reserve anyway.

I'm surprised at the 3 yr gcse too but they have had a really good yr 7/8 (grammar school) and any change won't affect them.

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Original poster

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 11:00

Greygreenblue this is her choosing to specialise. She will do 10 subjects between ages 13 and 16.

Everyone in her school does 3 sciences, maths, 2x english. They then have 4 genuine options.

So far looking at music/ history/RP so this a 4th.

Of course we would go with what she would enjoy/be interested in. Currently she's interested in both!

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Original poster

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 11:03

Really interesting hearing peoples replies. Id like to know how much time/pressure the textiles coursework is as I dont think its a great idea for one gcse to dominate.

If she was 100% passionate about either it eould be obvious but its her "4th choice" and she would be interested in both (she'd take both if she could!) Rather than a burning desire for either one.

I wondered if people had experience of the courses.

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spotcheck · 28/11/2021 11:04

Definitely textiles
She can already develop her science in her core subjects

MrsPnut · 28/11/2021 11:04

I'd suggest she did textiles, the fine motor skills she will gain are very useful for a lot of other careers.

Ilkleymoor · 28/11/2021 11:09

Making a jump here but there have been a lot of pro textiles replies and I get the impression you are quite pro the astronomy. I would step back and let her make the choice.

Also I do textiles and sewing as a hobby now with a view to a side hustle in the future - blows my mind how much of it is about application of maths and understanding how measurements make something 3D. Basically it's less arty and more engineering/design than you might think .

LonelySock · 28/11/2021 11:12

My eldest did astronomy as an extra gcse, mostly self taught as they just had one lunchtime a week for a year.

She got an 8. She'd have easily managed a 9 had she had timetabled lessons in it.

However, the course (there is only one for GCSE!) is extremely maths heavy. You need to actually just memorise a lot of material.

But it's also very cool. She likes to lie down and explain to her friends about the stars they can see. She is really pleased she took it.

My questioning would be does the school have access to decent equipment for astronomy and textiles? If they have a super dooper telescope for example, it's going to be a lot more fun. Ditto super dooper sewing machines.

Also keep in mind that you can self teach astronomy (or buy in a course) and sit the exam as an independent candidate - although I bet her school would enter her.

You can't do that at all with textiles.

Plus, you can do astronomy in one year. Lots of students do that. It's a popular home ed course to do. Three years of it, and I'd wonder how they could stretch it out 😆 It might get repetitive?

SpringSparrow · 28/11/2021 11:14

My dd did textiles and found it an easy subject to get a high grade in without a great deal of study. It was certainly a lot less time consuming than art which took up a lot of time. She had a couple of changes of teacher during the course as well. She can also use a sewing machine confidently now.

thenightsky · 28/11/2021 11:17

DD chose textiles and then went on to do a degree in Fashion and Textiles. She now works for a major fashion company as a Garment Technologist and loves it.

Original poster

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 11:17

Ilkley of course she will make the choice! She's on the fence and has asked me (ex teacher but not these topics) and I can swing in either direction! Both are great. I was concerned textiles might be time heavy and astronomy a lot to memorise. I dont know which would suit her better at this stage!

Lonely you can do any gcse in a year pretty much! We wont be looking to do any as additional subjects in "free time" as 10 is enough and she does other hobbies.

I think with 3 year gcses (only 2 hours a week roughly?) They can do enrichment and teach around the subject a bit more.

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starfishmummy · 28/11/2021 11:17

If she's doing 3 sciences and maths then astronomy is potentially a good fit with transferable skills etc.

But maybe the three sciences are enough? And something different would be a balance.

MissCreeAnt · 28/11/2021 11:20

@Greygreenblue

Yes it seems such a shame for them to specialise so early, especially for this year's Y8s who missed out on practical subjects in lockdown last year.

BorsetshireBanality · 28/11/2021 11:28

Many moons ago I had an interview for an engineering apprenticeship and then you needed to do have done a craft subject at 'O' level so textiles would be a good choice.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 28/11/2021 11:29

If Astronomy is being taught by a teacher for whom it's a passion, I'd go for that. It'll also massively support her maths and science, as it applies the knowledge and skills in a way that is often only first done at degree level and takes her into something more than the everyday and mundane existence.

But if she'd rather make a dress or a collage for a GCSE (not being dismissive, it was pretty much what was done by everybody taking textiles when I worked in the department, boys as well as girls), and is happy that she'll be on her final exam before three quarters of her teachers have realised that's what happening - in the subjects with a practical element, it's always necessary to spell it out to staff 'it's their final exam' to stop them being told off for not attending lessons - then she should do that.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 28/11/2021 11:34

I taught Textilesfor 25 years. The course is very scientific, lots on forces, physics, chemistry and maths. Personally I’m not sure how relevant the inclusion of batteries and springs is relevant to Textiles but the government changed it ages ago to make it harder.

The coursework is fun though. We used to do Textikes A level Dt. The A level course is called Fashion/ Textiles and was a fab course. Loads on history of fashion.

A lot if my pupils went on to do fashion related degrees

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 28/11/2021 11:39

It’s not an ‘easy’ subject at all, it changed dramatically about 5 years ago,

Original poster

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 11:39

Absolutely done by a teacher who loves it (always the fear a teacher will leave isn't there but she's been there at least 12 years )

Sewing machine skills would be cool too. As long as the coursework/homework wasn't overwhelming.

I'm not sure there's a clear choice!

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