What O'Level's did you do in the 1980's?

[AnnMcGuinness]

I'm just wondering what o'level's you guys did in the 1980's. My eldest son is currently doing his GCSE's and my only daughter is currently picking her's.

The reason I'm asking is because there seems to be completely different GCSE options than there were in the 1980's when I did o'level's.

In the 1980's in my school we all had to do English language, English Literature, Maths.

Turning to the options block you had to choose a language I chose French and you had to choose a Science I chose Human Biology. Then you had three remaining option blocks. I choose Home Economics, Admin and Typing as well as History o'level.

My friend said to me who went to my school said she done o'level's in the options she picked was Physics, Home Economics, French, Geology and Accounts.

When i seen the option blocks for my children's GCSE's i seen Geology and Accounts is no longer and option. I am wondering what were you O'level options in the 1980's and is there any you done that isn't on offer for children taking there GCSE's today.

Kind Regards

Ann😀

1985 here.
Maths - done one year early then Additional Maths
English Language
English Literature
One science - I chose Chemistry as there was no General Science option
One humanities - I chose Economics
One art - I chose Technology (which turned out to be physics-cum-metalwork)
Two more from mixed columns - Geography and German

I then also took Meteorology in my lunch hour. It was the only one I failed (D).

I forgot the modern languages option!
One language - I took French (so I actually took both French & German in the end)

I did mine in 1986.

Compulsory:
English language x 2 (actually have this exam twice as I did it a year early then again in the 'right' year with a different exam board)
English literature
Maths

Options chosen:
French
Economics
Geography
Art
Chemistry
Spanish

To clarify: pupils were streamed into science subjects or arts subjects (again because of scheduling) so although I wanted to take German and Chemistry I had to take French and Music. I also took Latin for 18 months because the Head of English wanted his daughter to get into Oxbridge and it was the only way he could justify getting a Latin teacher in twice a week for extra lessons. I loved it but the lazy sod dropped out and I lost my teacher! Where are you now, Alison M?

I’m in Scotland and did Scottish exams in the 80s but one exam was an English O’Level. It was Drama. Anyone with a drama O’Level able to tell me who issued the certificate? I’ve lost it but would like a replacement. My old high school were no help.

English language
Spoken English/drama
English Lit
Maths
French
Biology
RE
All the above were compulsory
Optional subects
Latin
Greek
History
Music
Greek Literature in Translation
Geography

The other subjects on offer that I didn't take were Chemistry, Physics, Further Maths (think it was called A/O level maths, ) Art, Spanish, German,

Everyone took RE a year early and top sets took maths and French a year early. THose going on to do sciences then took further maths and the rest of us could drop those subjects and pick up a new one in a year - I did Greek in a year as I couldn't wait to give up maths, French and RE!

1983
Dire comprehensive!
At O level:
Maths
English Language
English Literature
Geography (option)
Biology (option)
Physics (option)
French (option)

At CSE
Art (options HAD to include 1 creative/domestic subject)

1984 did 9 in total
Maths , English Language and English literature all compulsory
I did all 3 sciences plus History, German and Cookery
everyone had to do 1 science 1 humanity one MFL and one arty/tech/ craft then two more ( which for me was the other 2 sciences)

1987 last year of O'levels in a West London Comp:
Maths
English Literature
English Language
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Geography
Art
French