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AIBU?

To insist that drama is not a valid choice for GCSE's

196 replies

FaintlyBaffled · 19/02/2018 20:09

....when the student in question has never expressed the faintest interest in the subject in nearly 14 years
DS has his heart set on taking GCSE drama. I maintain it's a bonkers choice given that his only acting experience to date was as a leaf in a school assembly in yr2.
To compound this, he is planning to give up a subject that has interested him since he was a toddler, as it falls in the same block as drama. He has a natural gift at this subject and has just received glowing reports in his most recent review.
I'm wary of opening hostilities over something that I can ultimately win in the short term (I have to sign the form to say I agree with his choices) but that he could win in the long term by flunking the subject. We've so far agreed not to do anything until we've discussed this in more detail with the school, but he's unusually truculent about the whole affair. AIBU to put my foot down and insist that he doesn't "waste" an option on this?

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BarbarianMum · 19/02/2018 20:12

He has no experience of acting since Y2. Has he not done drama at school since Y7 then?

Amoregentlemanlikemanner · 19/02/2018 20:13

And the alternative subject is.......?

MerryShitmas · 19/02/2018 20:13

Yes, YABU. Let him choose. So long as he maintains A-C's particularly in English maths and science he will have no lifelong issues even if drama is never used ever again.

ShangriLaLaLa · 19/02/2018 20:13

It’s a common misconception that drama GCSE is all about acting. Yes, there are practicals but much of DDs syllabus echoes the work she’s going in English Literature.

Perendinate · 19/02/2018 20:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

condepetie · 19/02/2018 20:14

Drama's often compulsory 1 hour a week from year 7 to 9, right? It was at my school. Has he done drama lessons at all? Does he like the teacher? The subject he's good at - does he enjoy it, does he like the teacher?

It's not a waste, whatever happens. Drama is a great subject with the right teacher.

papayasareyum · 19/02/2018 20:14

they do lots of GCSEs nowadays. When my kids were taking options I encouraged them to take one subject for pure pleasure or enjoyment, one which wouldn’t help with their career choices or sixth form choices, but just because they wanted an easier, more relaxing subject to study
(I took gcse drama and it was the highlight of my school week!)

notmyredditusername365 · 19/02/2018 20:14

What do you think is wrong with a drama gcse?

BossWitch · 19/02/2018 20:15

GCSE options really, really don't matter.

VandelayIndustries · 19/02/2018 20:15

It’s hard this options business because there isn’t much actual choosing to be done.

Are his friends doing drama? That’s what I’d suspect.

My dd is quite academic but wanted a fun subject for one of her options. Either music, art or drama.

Moonandstars84 · 19/02/2018 20:15

Yep my dd is doing the same text in drama and English lit.
Win win.

mamaryllis · 19/02/2018 20:15

Ahaha ha! Are you me???
Ds1 did this to me last summer. Going further even. Suggesting that actually he might like to take a performing arts degree. (Slightly different scenario as he us two years older and finishes school in a year and a half.)
He has now settled slightly and is considering being a maths teacher and running the drama club. He seems to think he’s an undiscovered star. Sheesh.
I am doing lots of ‘you must do what you want to do honey, but keep as many doors open’ (ie don’t close them by doing drama you fruit loop)

missmoz · 19/02/2018 20:16

YABU.

His life, his choices. Maybe this is a sign he's always wanted to try drama but hasn't had the confidence. Also you won't have seen him act in his Y7-Y9 classes so you're information is out of date.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 19/02/2018 20:16

What is the subject he’s going to drop in favour of drama?

CougheeBean · 19/02/2018 20:16

Well it’s his choice really. GSCEs barely count except for some a level choices. Drama can be great for confidence, shame about the subject he’s gifted at though. Maybe he could contine that or take up drama outside of school? That would probably liven up a CV more than a gcse anyway.

Notevilstepmother · 19/02/2018 20:16

Is one of his friends doing drama, or someone he fancies?

Does he know there will be essays?

I’d certainly want to have a conversation about it, with school and with him, but personally I think insisting isn’t the best idea.

halcyondays · 19/02/2018 20:16

yabu, let him choose.

JustDanceAddict · 19/02/2018 20:17

My DD is doing drama gcse and my ds will probably too, but they’ve both done drama out of school. Ds is particularly good. You do have to be reasonably good at acting as some of it is practical and assessed, some is critically analysing theatre/shows. There’s a lot of group work so the ‘working in a team’ ability helps too.

humblesims · 19/02/2018 20:17

It’s a common misconception that drama GCSE is all about acting. Yes, there are practicals but much of DDs syllabus echoes the work she’s going in English Literature
Exactly this. And more; drama teaches you skills of public speaking and presenting yourself well in general which is hugely useful later in life with job interviews and networking etc. Dont dis the drama Mama!

AtiaoftheJulii · 19/02/2018 20:17

What's his reasoning?

3 out of my 4 have done/are doing drama GCSE, and yes, there's much more to it than acting. But it seems like an odd choice for him?

Daffydil · 19/02/2018 20:17

I did gcse drama. I was shit at it and got a shit mark. It was a lovely dossy lesson (that attitude will be why I got a shot mark!) but I did learn some useful relaxation techniques that I still use. And we saw some excellent productions on theatre trips.

Doesn't seem to have held me back at all though

FaintlyBaffled · 19/02/2018 20:18

barbarian he's only started in yr9 as we still have the three tier system here.

We've been advised about the weight of extra curricular effort that drama would entail. This concerns me as he is a musician so has a reasonably heavy burden in that area anyway.

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upsideup · 19/02/2018 20:18

YUBVU let him chose what he wants.

Notevilstepmother · 19/02/2018 20:18

Drama is very good for confidence, and it can help with presentations in the future. Often at university or job interviews they will have to present in front of an audience and this is nerve racking.

VelvetSpoon · 19/02/2018 20:19

YABU

My DS did drama as an option, having never shown any previous interest in it.

Turns out he is bloody amazing at it. It also did loads for his confidence and public speaking, as well as creativity (as he plotted/ scripted several pieces himself). He got a top mark and teachers were very keen for him to continue at 6th form. However his only real interest is computers so he's not pursued it further. I wish he had because he is such an amazing actor!

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