Background - DS is dyslexic and is on the school special needs programme. Notwithstanding his dyslexia I would describe him as reasonably, though not outstandingly, bright. Also he is fairly hard working. In general kids at his school sit 10 GCSE s. The SENCO has explained to me that he may do nine subjects and he will be timetabled for "curriculum support" in place of the tenth subject. If he decides to go ahead and sit 10 then he will lose out on the special help.
So he will do maths, 3 sciences, English, history and geography (his favourite subjects) and I think RE is compulsory. Otherwise he is thinking of ICT and (fine) Art.
DS wants to do 10 as I think he feels that only doing 9 will somehow reflect badly on him - also wants to be the same as his mates. My feeling at the moment is that surely it would be better to concentrate on doing fewer things well.
What to you wise ones think? I'd particularly welcome comments from teachers or anyone involved in university selection. When I was a nipper once you had A levels no-one was very much interested in the number of your GCSE s - but that was a long time ago...