yr9 parents evening, pre-opt choices, what teachers to see?

[circular]

DD is busy running around getting the appointments.
They don't have their pathways or option booklets yet, so not 100% sure how many options she has.

I told her to ensure she gets appointments with the core subject teachers (Eng, Maths, Science, ICT, poss RS) and MFL, Geog, music to cover 3 presumed option choices, Also Drama of there is a 4th.

However, before she has had a chance to get the appointments for the above, teachers of other subjects have asked for her form and insisting on taking a slot.

She is also being approached directly by some teachers saying they really hope she will choose their subject. Her answer has always been "if I have enough options". They have then asked her what options she is thinking of choosing, and on has tried to persuade her to drop Geog. in favour of her subject.
And this is all before the "options evening" next month, when the reall selling starts
I told DD that if the only times left for the important subjects clash, then she must have these in preference to those forced on her. Otherwise quite happy to see them all.

Only one teacher seems to be playing fair and has told the class only to take a slot if seriously considering GCSE.
In other years we have seen all or most. What do others do on the last all subjects "opportunity"

Never done an option evening yet ( 3 teens) with the first we found they were so hard sell on the report just before choices that it was embarrassibg. Similarly now with dc3. We just stick with dead bog standard choices and save refining for a levels.

We could only choose two btw!

Please don't put PE or Food Tech/Catering down as non academic subjects - it really isn't the case these days, whilst there is a lot of practical work, both subjects include a fairly hefty wedge of science (human biology, physiology and chemistry) and nutrition and they are not "easy" or "soft" options.

pointydog - Yes we are flattered that everyone wants DD. But also frustrated that there are not enough options, and some of te teachers of less academic subjects are questioning her likely choices of mostly academic

sportsmum - I understand that catering & PE are not easy. But they are still classed as non-academic subjects by the Unis.

DD would love to do catering on top of her other options - as it is she has no room for a 'tech' subject unless she drops MFL humanity or arts subject. Or takes double instead of triple science.

Hi Everybody, Thanks for all your replies,it has been really useful to listen to other parents views.

To correct circular - Food Tech and PE are not considered non-academic subjects by universities.

It is those subjects that are offered as VGCSEs that are overlooked by universities. This is something that has been confirmed by the careers advisors in a number of leading schools and also by several universities themselves.

The VGCSE is a Vocational GCSE and is unfortunately not seen in the same light as traditional GCSEs.