tell me about Higher RMPS and N5 Philosophy

[MountedbyHarryWindsor]

DD wants to be a teacher (primary). She's going to be choosing her S5 subjects soon. She has expressed an interest in RMPS (available at Higher) or Philosophy (available at N5, no Higher option). She says she's attracted to the debating side and the ethics.

However, I am not keen on her doing RMPS at all. We are not religious and looking at the course description, there's a lot of religion in it. DD also hates English, its her worse subject, yet RMPS seems to be a lot of essay writing. I am also concerned that RMPS is a wasted subject.

As for philosophy, again a wasted subject if she can't do a Higher in it. I'd rather she did all highers in S5 to maximise chances of acceptance for uni. Its also seemingly very religion based, lots of essay writing and analysis.

Does anyone know anything more about these subjects? I'm trying to get DD to look at other Highers or even foundation apprenticeships but I get a flat 'no' with any suggestion. She's thinking of Highers in History, Maths, D&M and English (just cause she needs it but she hates it). Just a bit stuck at the 5th Higher and because a friend is doing RMPS, that seems to be the reason she's now thinking of this. I know N5 is an option but I'd prefer she did Highers.

DS is doing Nat 5 RMPS. He really enjoys it and while there is a fair amount about religion in it, it's from a factual POV (e.g. what a festival is called or names for traditional dress). there is definitely a lot of moral/ethical stuff as well - he's been doing euthanasia recently. i think if she wants to be a primary teacher it would be a helpful subject because she will need to teach RE covering a range of religions and if you're not a religious family at least it would give her the basics.

but it is very essay based and DS struggles with fitting in all the points he wants to make in the time available - even more so than English. Combined with English and History she would end up with a very essay-heavy workload.

My Dd has just finished her Primary Education Degree in the last 6 months. RMPS set her in good stead for researching and then writing her essays for her degree and that then became helpful for the dissertation at the end of 4th year. There wasn’t just religion as content but the moral and ethical parts really helped Dd learn how to research as well as use her own opinions. She was part of the debating club.

I’ll be honest that I always let both kids choose their own subject to be happy and both have done well in their chosen further education.

Has she checked whether 4 Hs in S5 are enough for teaching? Might be better to have 5Hs if entry is competitive. Plus primary teaching might have preferences eg a Science or a Language (although I suspect they'd like D&T).

My DD did RMPS to N5. She loved it - much wider than world religions and absolutely fine for an atheist like my DD. It was well taught at her school (geography was the social science of choice if you wanted to skive). She would have done RMPS at H if offered. I have heard philosophy is quite hard (at Higher but not sure N5).

Agree with others that its best to do subjects you enjoy.

She's going to need a strong English pass for primary Ed degrees. Can she take a subject she has a natural flair for to allow her to devote more time to English if it is her weakest? RMPS might help her gain confidence in English is she is mastering essay writing skills in different subject areas.

Yes the English requirement worries me and she has a tutor now so hopefully she'll do better in her final N5 than her prelim. I also agree that 5 Highers is better than 4 and too many essay based subjects wouldn't be great for her. Just not sure what other Higher she could do as she's got it into her head (without any research) that pretty much everything else will be 'boring'.

Sorry if that post sounds harsh, but it's hard hearing someone being so negative about a subject I hear loads of positive things about at home. Dc is not wasting his time doing it.

You're entitled to your opinion about subjects but your personal attack on me and my 'thinking skills', is completely uncalled for. I have disabilities, that can impact my 'thinking' so maybe think before you post and don't make assumptions. I also know my daughter and I know she hates essay writing.

N5 Philosophy really helped DS with English skills.
It’s quite similar to History in format.
Learning how to structure the essay and answer the different types of questions to demonstrate the knowledge, for a conclusion etc.

Seriously? You said RMPS was a wasted subject, it's in your OP. Maybe I take that as a personal attack on my ds, who is enjoying it and doesn't realise he's wasting his time, along with the rest of the class.
Issues with essay writing are entirely different and a good reason to think carefully about it.

Your post got deleted which says it all.
Thank you to the other respondents.

In my opinion it just shows ignorance to call RMPS a wasted subject. The ‘soft’ skills of critical thinking, analysing, evaluating and reaching conclusions are transferable, whilst the the subject itself encourages understanding and tolerance. If a more literacy based subject is not going to be her cup of tea, avoid it for that reason by all means. And no, I don’t teach it, though I do teach at secondary level in Scotland.

RMPS is not just about religion my daughter fine it and it involved a lot of crime modules
It’s a difficult higher to pass

MY DD did RMPS higher and we are the least religious family you will find. It is the study of religions and beliefs, not a religious celebration. Much of it is not about religion at all. She is now studying at university, still not religious, and her degree is half theology. The philosophy part of RMPS is a great foundation for any humanities subject (and, indeed, for sciences).

Philosophy is available as a higher. If your child school doesn't have it on offer m, there is usually a city centre hub where highers can be taken (or at another school, even private schools)
Philosophy is an excellent subject for critical thinking. It's foolish to right off either philosophy or RMPS

Should say that admissions officers look very kindly on philosophy or RMPS, it teaches skills that work well with humanities & physics.