Textiles or astonomy gcse?

[WoodenReindeer]

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.

I used to love my subject too which was Textiles!

Arse thanks for posting - I was hoping to hear from teachers of either subject!

She would enjoy the forces/technical side I think. Can they do well if they work on their skills even if not naturally artistically gifted, if that makes sense? She wouldn't choose for a level as doesn't have the flare I don't think but would work hard at developing skills and loves the idea of having things she's made herself.

I think textiles as it will be more creative so balancing her week more and it does have many useful applications through life. Astronomy does sound interesting though.

Oh yes and I'm sure the textile teacher loves textiles too 🥰. The stuff on display in the art and tech department always looks amazing.

She missed out a bit on the rotation. She hand sewed a little bag and enjoyed it but they were at the not using equipment stage of covid!

Today she's leaning textiles ! She used to have a space obsession a couple of years ago and was very into "hidden figures: and nasa launches but that doesn't nec mean she'd enjoy working out all the distances etc.

I wonder if its one of those where either she would genuinely enjoy.

It seems from googling previous threads that the coursework isnt as all consuming as art?

Textiles.

Being able to hem a pair of curtains will be a life skill.

Yes, they can do well if not artistically gifted. It’s not really anything to do with art, or it’s a very small part of it. I’ve had millions who can’t draw very well get top grades.

What is important is accuracy. That’s possibly the most important thing of all.

I'm inclined to think a tech subject of some sort is good - probably somewhat biased as Electronic products (old spec) was very influential on my DDs degree and career choices. I think it's very good for kids to know they can design and make things, and develop practical skills and nous.
She learned how to use a big telescope in the uni astronomy Soc. too.

I know nothing of the GCSEs, and have a personal passion for astronomy, but I would go for textiles purely on the basis that doing a term of textiles in Year 9 has saved me hundreds and hundreds of pounds as I make all our curtains!

I've never heard of Astronomy GCSE but I can only add that my DD is loving Textiles GCSE. She says it's a welcome break from her other academic subjects, much more relaxed and low pressure with a bit of a break from endless tests, revision etc. Obvs v similar to Art but with massively smaller workload. Doesn't seem too time consuming so far (yr 10) She hasn't got sewing machine at home and doesn't need one as all actual sewing done at school.

If she is interested in space I would go for astronomy, there is next to no space in the science curriculum

Thanks all.

Today she is leaning textiles and keeping her space interest as curiosity rather than scientific!

It will mean she has music and textiles and 2 humanities as her final options which seems balanced?

She hates languages!

She has an options lunchtime ( a bit like freshers fayre I think?) where she will get a chance to ask questions of some students on the courses.

I will suggest she goes first to textiles and astronomy and see what they think of the courses, what the equipment is like ( I think its good for textiles, I don't know about telescopes etc) and how bad the textile coursework is!

In a way it's a nice dilemma to have!

I’d have loved to have studied textiles. I work full time as a textile artist, but I’m self taught, and although I’m good at what I do I’d love to know more.

Obviously my vote is textiles!

My heart would say textiles for all the reasons pp’s have given but my head would say astronomy because we’re entering a space travelling time and if we’re to believe the hype those skills would put her at an advantage whether I like it or not!

Textiles. I’m a nurse but I did GCSE textiles many years ago and it was probably the most useful thing I learnt at school. Being able to use a sewing machine, basic alterations and fix bits has been so handy. I’m quite confident to make curtains, cushions for the house.

Plus I loved it. I did it in the height of the Brit Pop era (showing my age) and made a dress for Indie Clubbing. So super cool. I don’t know what the course is like now but we were really encouraged to follow our interests. We had Goth creations, a range of pencil skirts and 1920’s fashion in our class. And we had a fantastic teacher. She clearly really loved and I remember it so fondly to this day

I did textiles and have very fond memories of my lovely double lessons which were a complete break from everything else I did. I agree about the self esteem you get from creating things too.

I do think having a nice practical subject alongside all the ones that just require learning information rather than "doing' (IYSWIM!) is a good thing. All 3 of mine have/are doing one practical GCSE alongside all the others.

It does boil down to what she enjoys though. I don't think her choice of this GSCE will make any difference to her future choices.

Thanks all. I don't think it will impact her future too much either as its her 4th subject. It's more trying to imagine what the courses are like and which she'd enjoy best/manage workload best.

She does have a practical subject already in music but I think she could well enjoy textiles alongside this. My only slight hesitation is if the coursework for these 2 overshadow her work for her other 8 subjects in her final year!

It's years ago but for me, the main thing which drained my time was three sciences... We were the first year to be persuaded to take three, however sciencey we were (I am not at all).

Your DD sounds more sciencey than I was but for me the textiles was a welcome relief. I always prioritised the other subjects first but didn't mind then spending a quiet Saturday afternoon doing textiles because I enjoyed it.

Having said that I actually really enjoyed astronomy, albeit as a physics module.

I think if she's already doing music, I would go for the astronomy. My dd's school did it as they had a great observatory in the next town which is where they spent a lot of time.

Be warned any of the Arts subjects are VERY time intensive. My dd initially chose Textiles but changed her mind due to the workload. Stories of students spending 50% of their entire time on this one subject alone.

@bendmeoverbackwards

Be warned any of the Arts subjects are VERY time intensive. My dd initially chose Textiles but changed her mind due to the workload. Stories of students spending 50% of their entire time on this one subject alone.

The school are doing GCSEs over three years so it should be easily doable.

OP, you said she wanted to do Psychology but the school doesn’t offer it.
This was true for my DD also, but the school arranged the timetable so DD and several classmates could study it at the local tech college instead. Perhaps ask if your DD could have a similar arrangement?
Should add, this was the local comprehensive - they also collaborated with a rival comp for pupils to commute between the two schools for applied and pure maths, as each only offered one of the two options.

You can search and print off an old GCSE Astronomy paper online. We did this when my daughter was having a similar quandary. It helped make up her mind - the astronomy is very Maths/Physics heavy which may or may not be what she is expecting.

I'm pro the more creative subject; it will stretch her in a way that astronomy wouldn't. Added to which year 9 is very early to specialise.