GCSE options totally suck

[Windywuss]

My son is in y9. He's got ASC and had issues at school. Things seem to have settled a bit now and I've just started looking ahead to options.

I don't get it at all. He loves computer science and science. The school don't do GCSE computer science at all. Sciences are not single subject but a triple science option instead. The options look awful. There's loads of dance and PE and some Digital creative alternative qualification that isn't a GCSE and vocational subjects.

If his school doesn't do computer science then is he not going to be able to do this at A level? I just feel it's all geared to the less academic kids which make up the majority of the catchment.

It wasn't our first choice school..no chance of moving.

I would want him to go elsewhere for sixth form but I feel like he's already going to be behind, and possibly won't be able to do what he wants. I feel I've failed him (though I'm really tired and emotional tonight and I'm a single parent and just exhausted with everything).

Anyone else been stuck with poor choices for GCSEs?

You don’t need GCSE Computer Science to do the A-level or degree.

DD went to an excellent, very highly regarded school where quite a few kids each year go on to do computer science at university. They do not offer it at GCSE level or A level. It certainly hasn’t held them back!

A keen interest in the subject + good maths grades are far more important. Physics is helpful too.

What exactly are his choices OP?

A 'triple science option' IS separate sciences. The choice is the dual award which gives 2 GCSEs covering 3 sciences, or 3 individual science GCSEs colloquially know as triple science.

Science at GCSE is usually either double award - all three sciences studied but counts as 2 GCSEs so graded as eg 4-4 or 7-8, or triple award where you study three full GCSEs - all separately awarded.

A lot of schools don't do computer science GCSE as it is really hard! But depending on what he does for yr 12/13 he could.study it at A-level, which usually requires decent maths grades.

If computer science is what he is interested in, he will be able.tovstudy at university with a good maths grade. Most don't require computer science A-level.

You don't need computer science GCSE to do it at A level. In fact I have seen people moan about yhe syllabus for the GCSE.

It's a nightmare for schools trying to get computer science teachers the moment.

You don't need gcse computer science to do the a level so I wouldn't worry about that.

Science in general student have two choices - they either do double award (which is all three sciences but gets them two GCSEs) or triple award which is basically a gcse in each science. You are no longer allowed to drop one or two sciences like you used to (so for example people would drop bio and do physics and chemistry)

Triple science is for the high achievers.

There will be the humanities, languages, PE, maybe Food Tech, or whatever its current name is, so, as well as English Lang & Lit, Maths and Science, there should be something to suit.

Is it unusual for schools to offer singular sciences? DD’s school only offer biology, chemistry and physics separately. They have to study at least one, the vast majority do 3 but some kids do choose to do 2. This is the norm in NI. Seems like a better system to me - double/triple award sounds very confusing!

Oh really? It's all changed then . My friend's children are 18 and 20 and both did separate sciences.

State schools in England aren't meant to offer only 1 or 2 of the single sciences.
I think that for most people the dual award offering some of all 3 sciences is good. It gives a general education across the sciences.
Back in the 80s I had to choose Physics&Chemistry Or Biology. So as a result I didn't study biology post age 13. I think the current system is much better. I learned a lot from my DCs' biology bits of GCSE.

DS loved computer science- until he did CS GCSE! It totally ruined his enjoyment of the subject- said the syllabus was boring and as pp said, they struggle to get CS teachers so he had lots of teachers and gaps of no teachers. He was predicted a 9 and actually got a 4 🤦🏻‍♀️ his lowest gcse grade by far. More than half the cohort didn't even pass. Worst results of any GCSE subject in his school and this year was no better. Surprised they're still offering it as an option tbh!

So maybe no CS could be a blessing!!

Double science and triple science have been like that for years, I remember it from school (finished GCSE's in 2009).

And also haven't heard of any schools offering computer science GCSE - I'm sure there are some, my school offered GCSE Psychology which I know no others really did at the time!

All sounds normal and fine to me OP.

Thank you so much for all these responses. So reassuring. I'm just having a single parent wobble tonight I think.

He will be sad not to do computer science for GCSE I think but maybe he could do programming more as a hobby and then see where he is at for A Level.

I assumed it would be difficulty with getting enough good teachers.

Wow. That is enlightening.

In England it is not permitted for state schools to allow single award sciences or students cannot drop a science.

They can do double (which is basically all of the sciences as individual GCSEs) or double or a long time ago there used to be single.

Basically they feel all the sciences are important and they don't want people dropping them in year 9.

NI obviously is different.

Double is Physics, Chemistry and Biology studied but worth 2 GCSEs. I haven’t known many schools say one of these can be dropped for two single GCSEs. Three separate ones is normal where there lots of higher achieving DC. Dc don’t need comp science GCSE for further study in it. An interest and maths is fine.

My DDs school expected maths, English x 2. a humanity, an art, a MFL, 2 or 3 sciences and 1 or 2 options.

My DD did computer science a level. It's very easy if you already have even a little bit of programming experience.

Computer science degrees however are quite competitive entry and they are generally interested in people with maths, physics and possibly further maths a levels.

My DD went on to do physics at uni and the comp sci a level was useful because of the programming coursework on it.

This is exactly what one of my friends’ DS did. He has just graduated with first class honours in computer science, securing an amazing job at a top London firm. He has basically turned his teenage hobby into a career. If your DS is passionate about it then he will be absolutely fine!

From memory he did maths, physics & chemistry at A level.

This. Maths is probably more important for a computer science degree.

Is there a UTC to you? They often have a computer since option amongst their engineering/science options.

Sorry @Pizzaaah what's UTC?

A specialist technology college.

There's one in Cambridge.

They were brought in a few years back to be specialist technology schools. There's very few of them around.

The one in Cambridge mostly does BTECs etc and isn't aiming at university courses.

@Windywuss UTC is a University Technical College. They are for 14 -18 year olds and most are STEM based. There aren't many of them. You also get Studio Schools which are smaller but the same concept.