GCSE options

[bawesp]

DD has chosen her GCSE options, she is in the top set for Maths, English and Science.

She’s chosen Spanish, BTEC Music, BTEC Performing Arts and Textiles.

I don’t want to seem disappointed to her but personally I think she’s chosen 3 really “soft” subjects.

At the talk the other night they suggested Grammar stream students to take 2 EBACC subjects but she only took 1, which is Spanish.

At A Level she would like to study English Language, Psychology and Music (this might change but she’s been sure on this for 3 years).

Should I ask her to consider changing to 2 EBACC options?

Does she have any idea what career she's wants to do? What subjects would be most beneficial for it?

I think you would be. She will be working her arse off whichever subjects she chooses and I think it is really important that young people choose the subjects they feel most strongly about as they are more likely to work hard but also enjoy their studies.

She would like to work in clinical psychotherapy / counselling, more specifically with children.

What would the other EBAC options be? Is music available only at GCSE? I guess if she's very creative then despite being academically bright, she's going to chose subjects that she enjoys.

Others are History, Geography, French and Computer Science.

Is she planning on doing a psychology degree? A quick google just showed most unis would prefer a science alongside psychology at A level. Aside from that, if she does her chosen options, she's keeping doors open for art / music therapy courses, which fits in with her general idea of what career she wants to go into eventually.

Tbh she's lucky school aren't forcing the Ebacc on her. Kudos to them for that.... (are you in the Midlands )

Psychology will be extended essay writing which she will have had limited practise of doing at GCSE based on her choices. History would give her exposure to this skill.

GCSEs don't limit your life like people think. Odds are she will be absolutely fine.

Huge amounts of course work in the BTECs and textiles. That would be my concern - are there enough hours in the week to keep up with those 3?

Just because they are not 'academic', does not mean they are 'soft'.

Agree with @BringOnTheScience!

Haha yes, East Midlands. I suggested History but she said she had always found it boring and strongly disliked the teacher.

Going back many, many years to when I chose A levels, I wasn't able to take Psychology as I hadn't done what was then a double science GCSE.

If that is a possible career path your DD needs to make sure that her options won't hinder her taking Psych A level.

I would say she has three subjects which will mean a lot of busy work: Music, Performing Arts and Textiles. I would really encourage her to switch at least one of those out for a more straightforward subject.

For some odd reasons DD loves revision and being productive with it, I can remember her doing her end of Year 7 and 8 Exams and she did around 3 and a half hours of revision every night for 2 months.

She’s great at Music - Grade 6 Theory this summer, Grade 4 piano and Grade 5 singing this winter.

Performing Arts is mainly dance I believe, she used to do dance aged 6-11 but wanted to focus more on her music.

She’s always liked fashion design, which is why she took Textiles.

I’d suggest she takes history. History GCSE really improves your essay writing skills, I hated doing it at GCSE but the analysing skills and essay skills I learnt through the qualification really helped me with my A Levels when there was a lot more writing involved.

My daughter is currently doing a Btec in Performing Arts. They do learn a very broad set of skills and for exams they choose an area in performance and area in production to specialise in so your DD could focus on music for the performance side and she could focus on costume design for the production side which would give her chance to incorporate Performing arts, music and textiles into the one subject thus freeing up two option choices for Ebacc subjects.

She was going to take Health and Social Care instead of Textiles but the Health and Social Care teacher actually told her privately that she wouldn’t be good doing the subject because she’s bright and a lot of the “bitchy” girls take that subject. 🤨

Textiles could lead her into art therapy which is great. And she could learn to make useful things. I like it.

Agree that textiles & performing arts are kind of similar in being time-sucks; history would be a useful essay subject as someone else pointed out. Geography 2nd best.

Leave her alone. The second she moves on to the next level no one gives a damn about her GCSE’s! Is she confident? Well rounded? Studies hard? Interests outside school? Let her pick a few subjects she actually cares about.

You say she’s just chosen her GCSE subjects, so I’m assuming this is not her GCSE year?
She’s going to sit exams in maths, English and science anyway. The optional subjects are not the end of the world.
By the time she gets to A level she may have rethought.
Realistically a science is always a good one if she wants to work in some form of ‘clinical’ anything!
I know some of my friends are disappointed with their kids A choices (I’m not dd is a big Saffy)
Thing is tho, if she’s a bright, hard working girl with a plan and a vision, I wouldn’t worry too much.
I also think A level subjects should be something they enjoy, but I’m very old fashioned in that I wouldn’t be impressed by ‘non core’ subjects.
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Neither will most good universities I fear

My daughter has just chosen hers. Frankly with the stress kids have anyway I'd rather she took subjects she liked and enjoyed and got good grades for than stuff she's got no interest in

I assist with graduate recruitment beyond post-grad level. We look for academic subjects. By all means, hobbies and exams in music are looked upon positively but no point in doing a GCSE in it.

We had to take a technology subject so textiles is fine but I'd drop music and performance arts. If she has an interest, join a club to show extra curricular skills on her UCAS form

Yes, good to have one coursework subject possibly, as there are so many exams, ( but on the other hand my ‘academic’ daughter has been advised to avoid the coursework option because she can excel in an exam and the coursework is a time suck at the end of year 11 when you have 9 or 10 other subjects, arguably mostly more important ones, to revise for). I don’t think she has chosen soft options, I just think she is giving herself a tough schedule.