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Original poster

Son changing GCSE options computing to textiles

58 replies

Chipshopninja · 18/12/2024 23:20

Wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation

My son has come to me tonight and said he wants to change one of his GCSE options from computing to textiles

My initial reaction was no but when he explained his reasons they seem valid.

To clarify a few things,

At his school they pick their options to start in year 9 (not 10 like it is at most schools) He is only 1 term into it.

Changing options is possible at this stage

His reasons are that the computing class he is finding the work boring and the other boys are disruptive. I think a lot of the "naughty boys" for want of a better phrase chose it. He is quite advanced with computing and is predicted a high grade at this point. However if he hates the class I can see the grade going down over time.he says he's dreading the lesson

He wants to switch to textiles because fashion design is something he is interested in and his other GCSE option is Drama so I can see how the two would go together quite well (costume design)

He says he wants to challenge himself and also look forward to his lessons rather than dreading it. Computing isn't a challenge for him, textiles would be.

He's not the best artist in the world but not terrible especially if he's allowed to do it digitally

He has spoken to the textiles teacher who has said she would love to have him in the class and there is space. It was undersubscribed so the teacher to student ratio would be better than computing.

I sew as does his Grandma so there would be some support at home (none with computing)

He came to us in a very grown up way and outlined all his reasons and tomorrow he's going to speak to the head of year and the textiles teacher again because I've said I want to know how he will catch up on a terms worth of work and a couple of other things he needs to check Such as how much hand drawing is required

My feeling is that GCSEs should be about choosing subjects you enjoy and are good at. Universitys really arent bothered what subjects you do its about your grades and what subjects you did at A Level.

Trouble is computing he is very good at but doesn't enjoy.

What would you do in this situation?

OP posts:

Flustration · 19/12/2024 09:57

He sounds like a very mature boy who will do well in whatever he chooses.

Textiles and Drama both sound like they might be coursework-heavy, so perhaps get him to ask his teachers about the workload. Not to talk him out of it but just so he's prepared.

Original poster

Chipshopninja · 19/12/2024 09:59

There's definitely a lot of questions that need to be asked before he makes a decision. Not least is the timetable.

If textiles doesn't run at the same time as computing then he will have to switch to something which does. He definitely won't drop Drama and I wouldn't want him too he's a little star on the stage and has a great drama teacher and group of friends.

I've told him I will support him in changing. Just want him to be happy!

OP posts:

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 19/12/2024 10:00

Check the GCSE syllabus, not that great a course and I had a friend who taught it and he wasn't impressed! He could use his computer skills in his textile course, probably a way to incorporate that, as a great deal of pattern drafting, clothing technology, processes now require knowledge of technology. Maybe he might consider textile / design clothing technology as a degree option in the future.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds General education Secondary education

BarbedButterfly · 19/12/2024 10:01

Another side is that if he does end up going IT long term then majority of people who work with DP have certs, not degrees anyway e.g CCNA

Notellinganyone · 19/12/2024 13:06

He absolutely should change. I’m a secondary school teacher and parent of three. GCSEs are a slog anyway and he sounds thoughtful and mature.

Glittertwins · 19/12/2024 13:10

He can easily teach himself the computing if he wants to. Textiles is possibly something he'd need to do in school. I work in IT and never did computing at all and I've done pretty well for it so I'd not say his switch is a bad idea

PixieTrance89 · 19/12/2024 13:33

You can't really say no as it's not upto you, my daughter chose her options based on what she preferred to do and I just happily went along with it, she also chose textiles but has found she hates it haha not an issue though as she's doing very well at school apart from the textiles and she's planning a career in early years education so it's irrelevant anyway she's had very good grades for everything else she's done, I'd just nod my head and let him do what he wants

slightlydistrac · 19/12/2024 13:38

Young people are far more likely to do well in subjects they enjoy, so I'd suggest that you let him do what he wants.

borntobequiet · 19/12/2024 13:42

Let him do the Textiles GCSE.
I used to teach Computing, but if one of my own children had come to me with the reasons he gave you, I’d say switch, with my blessing.

SilverBlueRabbit · 19/12/2024 13:48

Ours changed from computing to Drama a few weeks back. Reason being that he is very good at computers and we pushed him into it thinking it would be a good thing as he is likely to struggle generally. However he is bored senseless by it, dislikes the teacher and just hated every moment. Finally we realised that it's his GCSEs not ours, and as he is talented with computers he can easily pick up whatever he needs in a future career, should he need to do so. Drama on the other hand.... he has autism and is very shy and he comes out of his shell with drama. He loves it and looks forward to it. That ended up being good enough for us.

Your son, OP, sounds even more sensible. Textiles and drama with a view to costume design seems a terrific combo.

HellofromJohnCraven · 19/12/2024 14:09

I am an absolute believer in doing what interests you. DD was told she couldn't do dance at gcse due to not enough students so was put into Drama. She did gcse dance herself in a year and is now doing dance, drams and English at a level in the local college and loving it.

MumonabikeE5 · 19/12/2024 14:14

He sounds great!

it’s as technical or creative as he wants it to be .

if he is motivated and interested he could do some interesting work, and learn some practical skills.
it will also be a “surprising” choice which will make him memorable.
no bad thing.

LlynTegid · 19/12/2024 14:18

Have him think about it for a week or so, if he is still of the same mind come the start of next term, talk with the school. Timetable is an important thing I agree.

Original poster

Chipshopninja · 20/12/2024 16:02

UPDATE

He's spoken to the person in charge of timetabling and he can't switch 😔

Textiles is on at the same time as his other option Drama and there's nothing running at the same time as computing that he wants to do so it seems he is stuck doing a class he hates for the next 2.5 years.

Absolutely gutted for him and no idea what to do to make it better

OP posts:

purser25 · 20/12/2024 16:18

Get him a sewing machine and let him have fun at home maybe he could do it in Sixth form. Get him interested in the costume making for his drama GCSE

Original poster

Chipshopninja · 20/12/2024 16:23

It's not so much the lack of textiles that worries me. I have a sewing machine and he can crack on. It's the fact that he now has to carry on with computing that he really isn't enjoying and he's only in year 9 so 2 and a half years of it.

Just a bit gutted for him. He says he'll stick with it and try to make the best of it

OP posts:

Coconutter24 · 20/12/2024 16:37

I’d just let him change. They are so young they just need to do whatever it is they enjoy in terms of schooling.

Puffins4eva · 20/12/2024 16:38

I'm a teacher and I think it's a great idea

Give him lots of encouragement.
And set up communication with the textiles teacher so they can advise you on how to support him . Ask which artist to follow , exhibitions to visit websites to look up.
If he's going to enjoy it that's a huge impact on success rates

You should be proud of his maturity and confidence to stand up and change his mind

Good luck

Original poster

Chipshopninja · 20/12/2024 16:41

@Puffins4eva See update above - he can't change

OP posts:

Seventimesaday · 20/12/2024 16:41

I quit computer science for Spanish after one term due to boredom. Caught up easily.
I say go for it.

SilverBlueRabbit · 20/12/2024 16:44

Sorry if this seems a stupid query- but can he do textiles via another school just for that subject? My Dcs are at independents and I am an exam invigilator there as well- and we sometimes have students from other schools do a subject not offered at their school at ours. Usually it is a language or Latin, but I know i have invigilated for some of these students. I don't know how it would work, or if it would be desirable etc, but maybe an option?

CleftChin · 20/12/2024 16:45

I think that sounds fine - I did textiles at GCSE, then computing at A-Level (and degree, and job) - past the obvious ones, and given how many GCSEs you do anyway, I don't see any reason not to have an 'interesting' on in there.

Edit - just saw the update... he's going to have to just carve out something in CS that he does find interesting - computers are involved in everything, hopefully there's enough flexibility there that he can make something of it.

InSpainTheRain · 20/12/2024 17:01

I would say let him change as he has come to you and sensibly put his case. If he is strong in maths he can still study computing later without a GCSE.

One of my DS did computing and he also said his class was very disruptive because a lot of the boys (boys only school) thought it would be about gaming, and didn't like the theory so were disruptive. So I see where your DS is coming from.

IdgieThreadgoodeIsMyHeroine · 20/12/2024 17:16

You shouldn't have any say over this- he's the one doing the GCSE! He should be able to do whatever subjects he wants, provided his school agree.

It's a real shame for him that he can't change.

Talipesmum · 20/12/2024 18:29

That’s such a shame. What are the other options in the same timetabling block? Anything he might prefer?
Maybe he could move desks to be less near annoying people? I’d just counsel him - head down, doesn’t have to be your favourite, one lesson out of many, work to get a great grade and don’t stress about it.

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