Help! Last minute GCSE options dilemma

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My DD needs to submit her GCSE options tomorrow and we've reached a stumbling block. She has to do English, Maths, Geography, History, Science, a language etc but wants to do dance, photography and food tech as her options. I'm worried that she is restricting her options later on as unis/employers could see these as Micky mouse courses. She's a bright girl and academic but very stubborn. I'd prefer her to do a second language but she is saying that's too much for her. She can swap one of these options next year when she gets to year 10 and is thinking business studies then to replace dance. Help!! Me and DH aren't making progress with her and we did the normal academic subjects at school which got us into sixth form and Uni. We can't force her into something because she won't enjoy it but trying to get the balance between firm and understanding. Help!!!

Let her do the ones she wants to, it needs to be a balance and they are well rounded and interesting. Don’t overthink it.

She's y8?

By the time she has done Maths 2 English an MFL, History & Geography (!), and at least double science that is 7 or even 8 academic options across a broad range.

This however is why I don't think options in y8 is a good idea.

If she’s doing Maths, English, Science(double or triple) two humanities and a language she has a good spread - and isn’t that 8 or 9 academic GCSEs? I’d let her choose the options she likes at that point.

She’s in Year 8, they choose GCSEs a year early for a taster and then can drop/swap some next year.

Just let her choose the ones she wants to do. It won't have any impact.

11 GCSEs?

Sorry, read your update. I'd recommend triple science but other than that let her choose. Food helps with science.

So she is doing 9 compulsory academic GCSEs? ( remember there are two English and three sciences.) so in total she is doing 12! Jeez-let her choose some more relaxing subjects to balance out the academics. Even the most academic unis only look at the best 8!

Yes at least food tech is helpful in life, I am a crap cook. But she’s never expressed any interest in dance (which is a BTech) or photography (apart from selfies) ever before…

Thanks everyone, so general consensus I think seems to be that I should chill out and let her do these less academic courses if she enjoys them for a break from the more academic courses

Do they offer any other DT in addition to food tech? I've always thought that was a subject that can't really make up it's mind what it is

Oh hang on. If she has no interest in Dance or Photography then doing both may not be sensible.

Your DD is already doing two humanities and a language so I think it’s fine. I have also had dilemmas of this kind with mine.

How many subjects does she go on to do in Y10? Does she drop some at that point too?

Yes she drops 2 I think when she goes into year 10

In which case I'd let her do completely her choice.
Sounds like photography and Dance will be good to explore, and decide in a year's time which route she wants to follow.

She’s finally decided on 2 languages, photography and food tech and I’m happy with that as it’s a good mix of academic and things she will enjoy. Phew, right down to the wire…Thanks for all your wisdom

Sounds totally fine. She’ll be doing one of those three and it’s important to have something different and fun. Like the idea of the y8 taster sessions!

You sound like a snob here.

There is nothing wrong with a btech and photography is interesting and artistic.

You're stifling your child's choices.

Harsh. It was the fact that she hasn’t ever expressed any interest in photography at all, not that it’s a btec, but thanks for your input.