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Original poster

GCSE options totally suck

163 replies

Windywuss · 04/10/2024 20:36

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). Sad

Anyone else been stuck with poor choices for GCSEs?

OP posts:
ScrollingLeaves · 04/10/2024 21:53

There is something called the IGCSE, which is international, offered by correspondence
courses. Home schooled people and people abroad use them.

This one offers three separate sciences and computer science. Maybe your son could do computer science this way at least? You do have to pay a fee for the course and an examination fee unfortunately.

wolseyhalloxford.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IGCSE-Fees-Examination-years-April-2024.pdf

TizerorFizz · 04/10/2024 21:53

@noblegiraffe ? Really? So you never met anyone who went to a grammar? How could you be in such a bubble?

Original poster
Windywuss · 04/10/2024 21:54

Really? Ours were all single subjects and I was let off doing more than one science by a lovely head of year because I hated it. (I did get all As in other subjects though so he was persuaded... I got a B in my single science subject! )

But I didn't grow up in this area. Maybe different areas have different approaches Confused

OP posts:

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Couchpotato3 · 04/10/2024 21:55

Encourage your son to develop his coding skills - there are plenty of online courses and other resources. He will learn so much more by just fiddling around on his own, and he can follow his own interests and develop his skills at a pace that suits him. My eldest did Maths at uni, with a couple of very small modules of coding. He went straight into a software development job and has a very successful career, despite no formal qualifications in computer science. I think this is a fairly common pathway. Your son will be able to choose computer science or something similar at uni level, even if he hasn't done it at A level. Don't worry - he'll be absolutely fine!

Pizzaaah · 04/10/2024 21:55

UTC is just like every other school - suits some perfectly, doesn’t suit some at all.

I’d have failed dismally at a UTC - I’m a creative. But then I also nearly failed at a grammar school even tough I’d passed the 13+ (they became 11+ 2 years after I joined) because the culture was not for me. Mainly because I didn’t believe in god 🤣 I was lucky enough to leave before I took my a levels and thank god for that. Yes some I know thrived from the grammar school background.

With UTC my dyslexic son excelled. Did way better then he should have done, as he focused on subjects which gave him the opportunity to do the next stage (he could have done a levels if he’d wanted - but probably wouldn’t have had that option with a standard school.)

I have a second son - academic genius (their words not mine!) and he also wants to go to the UTC.

Education is so hard - especially these days. No solution is right. You have to go with what’s best for your kid, and play the long game. We aren’t massive fans of the whole uni route - but will support our kids if they want to go down that for a reason. Our main focus is, do the best you can and the rest will work out.

Needmorelego · 04/10/2024 21:55

@noblegiraffe it's a vicious circle.
They aren't promoted so no one applies because people don't know they exist -so they don't have enough students - so they close.
🙁
It's a shame because I like the concept.

JoyAngerOut · 04/10/2024 21:56

@TizerorFizz the nearest grammar to me is 50 miles away, it’s you who lives in a built up bubble with more choices than some areas.
I don’t know if your ds loves maths enough but have you considered a maths school? There are only a handful in the country, all affiliated to universities but bog standard state sixth form colleges.

clary · 04/10/2024 22:00

Yeh like @TeenToTwenties and others say - “triple science” is three GCSEs - one in biology, one in chemistry, one in physics. So just what your 18 and 20yo relatives took @Windywuss .

Less able students, or those less interested in science, can usually do double award - two science GCSEs covering all three subjects - like Teen I wish it had existed years ago as I have v poor physics knowledge!

Otherwise as everyone says, no need for CS GCSE to take A level CS; no need for A level CS to do a degree in it. The GCSE is not great acc DS2 who took it, and yes it's very hard to recruit teachers. If he does lots of coding in his spare time, and maths A level, he will be fine.

What else does he want to take? 3 x science, maths, 2 x English - usually 3 or so other choices, often including geog or history. Could he take DT? MFL? Food tech? music? The non GCSE which I suspect is Creative Digital Media is also good.

Original poster
Windywuss · 04/10/2024 22:02

JoyAngerOut · 04/10/2024 21:56

@TizerorFizz the nearest grammar to me is 50 miles away, it’s you who lives in a built up bubble with more choices than some areas.
I don’t know if your ds loves maths enough but have you considered a maths school? There are only a handful in the country, all affiliated to universities but bog standard state sixth form colleges.

I don't think he knows how much he loves maths yet but I think it's maths/science/computer science just now but he has said for some time he wants it because a programmer and he loves python.

I had no idea about maths schools. I've googled and there is one due to open in 2025 which may be possible to get to though I'm not sure. It's quite a distance. Very interesting though. There's one in my home town. I'd love to move back there but don't think that will be on the cards sadly!

OP posts:
MagentaRavioli · 04/10/2024 22:03

GCSE computer science is not a lot of use and really not necessary for A Level. A Level computer science seems to have been designed by people who hate humans and hate computers. Computer courses at university seem fine.

if there is a BTEC or vocational option at 16 for IT or computing I’d opt for that as its much more practical and enjoyable than computer science. Sadly.

MagentaRavioli · 04/10/2024 22:03

GCSE computer science is not a lot of use and really not necessary for A Level. A Level computer science seems to have been designed by people who hate humans and hate computers. Computer courses at university seem fine.

if there is a BTEC or vocational option at 16 for IT or computing I’d opt for that as its much more practical and enjoyable than computer science. Sadly.

LIZS · 04/10/2024 22:04

Triple science is individual science subjects. You don't need computer science at gcse or A level to study it at uni,

ScrollingLeaves · 04/10/2024 22:05

Knowledgeable posters here don’t think lack of computer science will hold your ds back OP.

Maths seems all important.

Maybe think ahead and try to ask the places he might go for sixth form what he needs. Likewise, you can contact subject heads at universities ( at least you used to be able to and they are very helpful).

Dragonsandcats · 04/10/2024 22:06

TizerorFizz · 04/10/2024 20:59

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

out of interest, what do you mean by an art, other than art?

Treesinmygarden · 04/10/2024 22:08

Pizzaaah · 04/10/2024 21:55

UTC is just like every other school - suits some perfectly, doesn’t suit some at all.

I’d have failed dismally at a UTC - I’m a creative. But then I also nearly failed at a grammar school even tough I’d passed the 13+ (they became 11+ 2 years after I joined) because the culture was not for me. Mainly because I didn’t believe in god 🤣 I was lucky enough to leave before I took my a levels and thank god for that. Yes some I know thrived from the grammar school background.

With UTC my dyslexic son excelled. Did way better then he should have done, as he focused on subjects which gave him the opportunity to do the next stage (he could have done a levels if he’d wanted - but probably wouldn’t have had that option with a standard school.)

I have a second son - academic genius (their words not mine!) and he also wants to go to the UTC.

Education is so hard - especially these days. No solution is right. You have to go with what’s best for your kid, and play the long game. We aren’t massive fans of the whole uni route - but will support our kids if they want to go down that for a reason. Our main focus is, do the best you can and the rest will work out.

@Pizzaaah you made me smile when I read this line, "Mainly because I didn’t believe in god 🤣 I was lucky enough to leave before I took my a levels and thank god for that."

First you said you didn't believe in god and then you thanked him because you got to leave lol!

clary · 04/10/2024 22:08

ScrollingLeaves · 04/10/2024 21:53

There is something called the IGCSE, which is international, offered by correspondence
courses. Home schooled people and people abroad use them.

This one offers three separate sciences and computer science. Maybe your son could do computer science this way at least? You do have to pay a fee for the course and an examination fee unfortunately.

wolseyhalloxford.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IGCSE-Fees-Examination-years-April-2024.pdf

@ScrollingLeaves there is no need for the OP to do anything like this tho - her son's school offers three separate sciences, she was just confused as to terminology.

As for CS as many have said, no need for it and it is v dull. DS2 thought he had got a 5 so was relieved to get a 6, still one of his lowest grades tho.

There is a UTC in my city or there was – it's not got a great rep as like @noblegiraffe says, it became a dumping ground for teens unhappy at their comp. A shame as the ida seems good.

As for sixth form @Windywuss - there is usually flexibility and most do not IME have a strict catchment area as so many DC move on - to FE college, a job, apprenticeship etc - schools are usually keen to have you. So by all means look for ones within a reasonable commute.

Needmorelego · 04/10/2024 22:08

@Dragonsandcats "an art" usually means art (as in drawing and painting etc) or drama or dance or music or fashion design etc.

Treesinmygarden · 04/10/2024 22:13

Would there be an option locally for him to take a night class? Our local FE colleges might provide something.

I retook my Maths O level (yes, I'm old!) at night tech after finishing my degree and after failing it dismally and repeatedly, I got a B with a different exam board!

Diecast · 04/10/2024 22:13

clary · 04/10/2024 22:00

Yeh like @TeenToTwenties and others say - “triple science” is three GCSEs - one in biology, one in chemistry, one in physics. So just what your 18 and 20yo relatives took @Windywuss .

Less able students, or those less interested in science, can usually do double award - two science GCSEs covering all three subjects - like Teen I wish it had existed years ago as I have v poor physics knowledge!

Otherwise as everyone says, no need for CS GCSE to take A level CS; no need for A level CS to do a degree in it. The GCSE is not great acc DS2 who took it, and yes it's very hard to recruit teachers. If he does lots of coding in his spare time, and maths A level, he will be fine.

What else does he want to take? 3 x science, maths, 2 x English - usually 3 or so other choices, often including geog or history. Could he take DT? MFL? Food tech? music? The non GCSE which I suspect is Creative Digital Media is also good.

It did exist years ago - I did it in 1989!

Just to complicate things, round here they call the two GCSE one Triple Science and the three GCSE on Separate Science! 🤯

clary · 04/10/2024 22:15

hahahaha @Diecast more years ago than that unfortunately! #oooollddd

noblegiraffe · 04/10/2024 22:19

TizerorFizz · 04/10/2024 21:53

@noblegiraffe ? Really? So you never met anyone who went to a grammar? How could you be in such a bubble?

I grew up in an area with no grammars, I trained to teach in a different area with no grammars, and I now teach in another area again with no grammars.

There are a tiny amount of grammar schools in the country, mostly concentrated in a couple of areas. And yet they dominate the discourse on MN like everyone cares about them.

I may have met adults who went to a grammar school but clearly we had better things to talk about.

worcesterpear · 04/10/2024 22:29

Just to say, you don't need GCSE computer science to do the A level (lots don't as they don't get the option). The main thing is to get a good grade at GCSE maths. Just make sure your son knows the basics of coding, ideally Python, as this seems to be the language most schools use for A levels, there are lots of online resources like Code Academy. You also don't need to do triple science to do science A levels, again many schools don't offer this.

Actually I agree with @MagentaRavioli about computer science A level, going by dd2s experience. She admits she would have been better off studying physics. She only did double science (no triple option) and her school didn't do computer science. I think they needed something like a 7 at maths if they'd not done computer science.

CookiePookie · 04/10/2024 22:29

Your DS could take a look at the Comp Sci Cambridge IGCSE textbook to see if he would enjoy self study or do an online course, either for fun or as an extra GCSE which he could sit privately. However - this is only because you're saying he's upset about it; I can see lots of replies saying he does not need it and it's dry. My son is really enjoying it though - he loves Python too. I know you said your son would not cope with online (you get the recordings as well as live lessons) but just putting the thought out there.

Teaandtoast12 · 04/10/2024 22:35

I did my GCSEs 10 years ago and it was double science or triple science then, even in double you still do the separate subjects but get a single grade for core science and additional science, in triple you get a grade for biology, chemistry, physics.

For sixth form where I live it’s all done on grades not catchment so would definitely be worth looking into.

is he able to study IT at GCSE?

Original poster
Windywuss · 04/10/2024 22:46

CookiePookie · 04/10/2024 22:29

Your DS could take a look at the Comp Sci Cambridge IGCSE textbook to see if he would enjoy self study or do an online course, either for fun or as an extra GCSE which he could sit privately. However - this is only because you're saying he's upset about it; I can see lots of replies saying he does not need it and it's dry. My son is really enjoying it though - he loves Python too. I know you said your son would not cope with online (you get the recordings as well as live lessons) but just putting the thought out there.

Thanks Cookie. I'm jumping the gun a bit but it's good to be informed.

I'd rather know this stuff now rather than have a week to pick options and be all confused and concerned at that time.

OP posts: