To think GCSEs should only be maths, English and science unless request otherwise?

[Conmoenotcalltoe]

DD is beginning her GCSEs this spring and the pressure and stress she has been placed under has been difficult for her.
She has had several pieces of homework a night, plus expected to stay behind for studying until 4pm daily, and a huge amount of weekend prep to do for the following week.
She knows what job she wants and she has been given a placement in college already, so the majority of the subjects she does is wasted on her.
i think it would benefit teens more if schools allowed year 9 options to be optional. For example she has to do history, cooking, German and design which she has no interest in and will serve no purpose for her future (she can already cook) if she didn’t need to take those subjects it would free more time for the important ones, English, maths and science. She doesn’t enjoy these subjects and finds the teachers expect too much from her knowing she is trying to focus more on maths as she struggles in that area.
i know several parents and relatives who think the same and would prefer their teens to study important lessons unless they chose to study all/any of the options as extra.
Would your child prefer to learn the staple 3 lessons or would they still chose their options? What would your opinion be if it was an option to cut out subjects to lessen the stress during year 11?

What a stupid idea

Kids need a well rounded structured education not minimal effort

That’s not really true. Plenty of young people can do exams but can’t necessarily cope with 10 exams. It doesn’t necessarily equate with academic ability. There is nothing wrong at all with doing bricklaying but a highly dyslexic young person who is fantastic at maths might well struggle to do lots of written based exams but might be more than capable of doing a degree in Maths. It should be about what’s best for the young person concerned.

I think a greater problem with GCSEs as they are not the same every school. My year eights and had to choose his options a few weeks ago to start in year 9. There was no option for craft and design. No computer, science engineering, your business studies or animal care or child development like other people are describing here.

Apart from maths, English and sciences and modern foreign language his options were art, I media, health and social care, statistics or catering. His interests are more geared towards computer, science and engineering. We couldn't believe his school didn't offer a crash today at GCSE and they don't have to as long as they offer art.

So his options, and some part, I just to fill his timetable, you're not here towards his career here towards interests. I that to be a particular failing of GCSEs. Oh, there was an option for drama to start in year 10, but then he couldn't have modern foreign language at the same time. Ridiculous

So what about those kids that are rubbish at maths and don't stand a chance at getting the grade they need but excel at art...... talk about miserable restrictions

Well you could argue that part of overall academic ability is being able to cope with the pressure and workload of 10 subjects.

I do completely agree that there's nothing wrong with a vocational course for kids who aren't for whatever reason going to do as well/or indeed just don't want to do traditional type A levels. And it's a good point that someone could be very good at maths or science and not manage essay subjects.

My dd is dyslexic (and I am) and I pulled her out of her German GCSE classes in Year 10 after a battle with the school. She was never going to pass and it was bonkers to put her through the stress. School were full of doom and gloom. She did fine in her other GCSEs and maybe wouldn't have done as well if she had carried on with German. She went to uni and got a 1st class degree.

I saw an interesting TED talk once where the guy was saying how schools are failing kids due to the prioritisation of traditional academic subjects when a child may have more of a talent for art or PE or drama. Who are we to say which subjects are worthy and which aren't?

I also think that traditional teaching structure and exams do a disservice to many. It's a memory test for a lot. And the evidence shows that while many might be able to memorise stuff short term they don't hold that information long term. So what's the benefit apart from finding out who has the best memory? And how much do we need to memorise large chunks of stuff in adult life? My memory is shocking, so I'm organised and write lists, etc.

@madamweb you may be on the wrong thread, there is no mention of dyslexia in either of the OPs posts. The OP is solely focused on the fact that their child has no interest in acquiring any kind of broad educational knowledge, no kind of special educational needs have been mentioned. I know that many children with dyslexia have broad interests and deep knowledge without necessarily being able to take as many certificate exams, but that isn't what this thread is about.

I think people are missing the point.
I don't think the OP is saying not to learn anything else - just to take away the concept of getting a GCSE out of everything.
Not everything needs an exam at the end of it.
When I was at school there were some subjects that we had hardly experienced in the first 3 years of secondary and were then expected to choose it as an option if we wanted to carry on. At lot of these were the practical type subjects like cooking. We did less than one term in lower secondary (Key Stage 3).
How can you really know if you want to do a full GCSE course in a subject if you've barely had any experience of that subject before?

Important in your mind but my kid loves music and art-not up there for you but very up there for them.
And there aren’t many 14 year olds who have a career pathway mapped out. My 20yr old in her 3rd year at uni still doesn’t know what she wants to do.

No. We narrow the curriculum too early as it is in this country and since the GCSE curricula changed many schools have reduced the number of GCSEs they offer already. If anything, I'd like to see more subjects studied through to year 13, not less from year 10.
I think there should be more choice - I'm not a big fan of the EBacc - and alternatives more widely available for children who for whatever reason aren't able to sit the full range of GCSEs, plus improved support for those with additional needs, but limiting the curriculum at such a young age would be a huge backwards step for education in this country.

Your attitude is hardly going to be helping your daughter cope with the work she has to do - have you considered supporting her instead of being so ridiculous and dismissive?!

To be blunt, I don’t want my child to be an ignoramus.

I hope you’re not encouraging your DD to think her education is a waste of time and effort.

It would be impossible to staff that and the aim is to give students a broad range not just what they “need”. I see this being used as a reason lots for parents not wanting their children to learn a language and I think it’s rather sad. With History you pick up lots of transferable skills, particularly the ability to evaluate. It shouldn’t just be about retaining facts.

I do agree that 10 subjects are too many for lots of children though and there should definitely be more pathways available for some. I hope you’re not saying any of this in front of your child though. They repeat it to teachers and down tools. There will be lots of things in life she has to do that she doesn’t “need” but such is life! Encourage resilience.

I guess it depends on the child. DD has been so stressed since starting year 10 and more worse recently. She's really stressed, often crying , self harming,

Seems to be a massive pressure from school. I have told DD to do her best for her not for the school. And I told her even if she failed every GCSE ut doesn't matter she can do it again or an alternative education is for ever .

I also don't think thru get enough time to wind down. The weekends are never fully theirs beither are the school holidays what's the point of school hikdats theu never actually gey a full break because they are doing home work. Even if its not loads why are children not given a break where they don't have to worry.

We already specialise way too early educationally in this country. Languages, history, geography, art, music, textiles, food - they're all important too, and people do already have to make choices.

That's not to say there aren't arguments for some children taking fewer exam subjects, but if they're struggling with that, sciences might not be the best option for them. What if they've got a real flair for art or languages, but struggle to get their heads round the valency of atoms or refraction and reflection? Wouldn't it be better to take an exam on something they will do well in, if they're not going to be doing as many exams in total?

The pressure is immense, I'm packing my eldest off for the last set of mocks until the real thing.

But it is important that the teens who aren't so good at core subjects are able to shine, and have their efforts recognised, in other areas. It boosts their confidence that they are good at something and can achieve. That can't be underestimated.

Imagine how depressing it would be to just cram for subjects you hated or struggled with... For two or more years!

So you want your child to be able to opt for part-time school from Y10 onwards? No.
Doing GCSEs isn’t just about the range of subjects you are taught, it’s also about learning to manage your time, juggle your priorities, and handle some pressure. It’s preparation for life.

The idea that kids in Y9 should be able to narrow their options (what 14 year old REALLY knows what they will be looking at, job-wise, later. Especially in such a fast moving world with AI etc?) and effectively become part time students is not at all sensible.

DD liked English but hated maths & science. She flunked Spanish because she couldn't be arsed with it. If she could drop Spanish it would have eased her stress slightly. GCSEs were enormously stressful for her. At least, doing A levels, she's doing subjects she's actually interested in.

She also wanted to drop PE (not allowed) and would say to me, If they want to help me why not put on Yoga or Pilates classes instead of frigging hockey, to help with her stress!

Which European universities don't accept British students with a standard set of A-levels? Because I'm from an EU country and I do not recognise that phenomenon.

My DS is doing his GCSE's this summer. He's dyslexic and struggles with revising. I've told him to concentrate on the ones he's most instrested in, aswell as English & Maths obviously been very important. They are forced to do RE at gcse. He really isn't interested. I agree with learning about it at school but being forced to do it at GCSE, I disagree with. If not revising for that means he is more likely to pass at the subjects he likes/needs then I'm all for it.

Not all 16 year olds can cope with so many subjects, esp being forced to do ones they don't want too, that aren't important for most careers.

My DC 14 is doing 10 GCSEs but not History or MFL.
Something has to give!

Agree. OP said their child struggles with maths - not unusual - but no mention of trying to help them, asking about lunchtime or after school clubs to work on maths, working with friends. The attitude seems to be 'if it's hard or stressful they can't be expected to deal with it'. What's this job they already have lined up and already have a placement for? Better hope there's no hard work or stress involved.

Other European countries exist.