Six subjects in S4 the norm?

[DeathStarCanteenGal]

DD is about to pick her subjects for S4 and can only pick 6 subjects - which she will then do at anything from Nat 3 to Nat 5 level, depending in what the school think she will pass. Although she seems quite bright and quite conscious, so au hope Nat 5s are doable
But given I did eight subjects at S4 this just doesn't seem like a lot - however I fully accept I was at high school back in the 80s and thing have changed since then, so wondered if this is the norm?
school say they do this because it is what 'most students' can cope with

My middle one did 6 subjects in S4 (dropping from 11 or so in S3). Worked out fine for him and he went on to do 5 Hs in S5 (dropped PE). School changed to 8 subjects two years later when my youngest was in S4. I preferred the 6 as S4 didn't seem to be so pressured.

My youngest apply for graduate jobs at the moment and they seem only interested in latest qualification (if at all). Never had to list her school qualifications.

I’d say 8 is the norm. I heard that schools only do 6 as the children are likely to get better results and it makes them look better in the league tables. Gives the children less options at higher though.

8 is the norm at our (state) school, straight As are common and those not coping would switch to Nat4 for that subject rather than drop it. 6 doesn't sound like it gives them many choices, would they even be able to take the 3 sciences or two languages? Are there particular things she'd like to take?

When do children learn to cope if everything is always made easier before they have even tried? I think this is something schools do for an easy life, tbh.

yes, my concern is the lack of options. Maths and English are a given - though the school doesn't insist on maths in S4.DD is doing 2 languages at the moment which she wants to continue, and also wants to continue art. She'd be quite keen to continue history, but that would mean not doing a science. Which feels a bit limiting to me...

What reasons do the school give for only doing 6 subjects? In my experience, 8 is the usual amount, but I've been retired from teaching for a few years so things will have changed.

It was possible to do 2 languages or 3 Sciences within the 6 for my DS2. There was also much more picking up a subject in S5 particularly social sciences and arts subjects (less likely for languages/sciences). Suited my DS2 but agree not so good for those wanting to keep options open (although even with 8 my DD found narrowing difficult)

I think that's part of the problem- DD has no idea what she wants to do, so we're trying to keep options open...
Deputy head told me the reason for 6 subjects only was because 'most students cope better with that'

Really surprised nat5 maths is not mandatory. It is needed to get into so many uni courses. More so I’d say that English.

Not everyone is able to take National Five in any subject in S4. Not everyone is headed to university. There is a clear progression Nat 4-5-Higher- advanced higher.

School explained maths not compulsory because not everyone can pass Nat 4 or Nat 5 - so they're better doing a subject they will do better in, which makes sense to me
DD should be fine, I think in maths. She's pretty much straight As, apart from one test where she had a memory blank about how to do something and freaked out...

ds's school they did 7 NAT5s as standard. Some did 8 (top set in maths also did application of maths as an extra).

I believe schools can choose for their pupils to do between 6-8 NAT5s.

My kids did 7, 8 and 9 N5s at the same state school. All within the last 6 years.

The kids who do 9 can take N5 music if they already play two instruments to the required standard. Or they can do N5 PE in the same periods as core PE.

7 is the normal number at our school. My DS actually sat 8 Nat 5s doing both Maths and application of Maths

Same for my DC school.

Ours do 7. 9 subjects in S3, drop to 7 for S4. English and Maths compulsory, strongly encouraged to do at least 1 science. Able students may be offered Applications of Maths in addition to ordinary Maths which would mean then doing 8 in total.

6 seems very limiting, especially if 2 f those are English and Maths.

My dc did 8, with English, Maths and Ghaidlig compulsory (Gaelic school). They all managed to cover everything they wanted and do the highers they needed to move on after S6 (dd1 and ds) or S5 (dd2).

Reading this is pretty depressing. Six subjects is way too limiting and the reasoning behind that? Because it's easier than doing more. I despair.

Our school used to do 7 but switched to 6 as 7 was a lot of pressure. 7/8 was based on the old standard grade system but N5 is more work and maybe more similar to Highers.

Ours do 7 at nat5
They had to choose their Nat5 subjects at the end of S2 so they could study them in S3 and S4.

My DD did 7.

8 for us at a state school in South Lanarkshire

N5 is nowhere near the same level of difficulty as a Higher nor even a Standard Grade.

English and Maths are compulsory, then they chose another six, so eight in total?

DS is in S4 and this is how his school did it.

8 is the norm. The school is gaming the system to try to get higher average results, which is good for them but not good for the kids.

Is this in a town beginning with letter P by any chance?

Those that really really struggle to manage 8 do 7 and spend the other periods in support for learning here. I cannot see any reason for 6 other than gaming the system.