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Secondary education

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Original poster

Dismayed at dire set of option choices available

47 replies

danellasmum · 15/02/2011 15:01

Am totally dismayed at the options available to DS's school. Beyond the core subjects only three choices available. He had decicided on sep. sciences, history, spanish, design Tech and PE so something will have to go. Depressingly though do not think he will even get three of these because subjects arranged in three groups with only one choice allowed from each. History, geography, and triple science all being in one group immediately rules out a humanity as he views the science as a must have (Cannot believe triple science is even being classed as an option rather than a core subject). Is this normal and am I alone in thinking three option choices to be very limited?

OP posts:
mummyflood · 15/02/2011 15:08

Well DS2 had ONE choice. They were calling it two, but one of those had to be a language (French or German) so effectively one, IYSWIM. Now that's what I call limited!! and then a term into the year, they decided to try and offer the English Baccalaureate to the current Yr10's, but were only offering Geography and not History for those not already studying it, in return for which those students interested now have to drop a double P.E. lesson. He would have chosen History had the so-called options blocks allowed it, but not possible at the time, so his one remaining 'choice' was media.

Acanthus · 15/02/2011 15:10

What are the core subjects at his school?

GrimmaTheNome · 15/02/2011 15:15

Completely ridiculous not to be able to to triple science plus a humanity. So anyone wanting to do science properly can't get the EBacc - they really need to rethink that.

By 'core' do you mean maths, 2x english, double science? If so then 3 other options max is def limited for a bright kid (which from your DSs desired choices I assume he is)

He ought to be able to do triple science, an MFL, a humanity and a tech. (PE is the obvious first to drop)

webwiz · 15/02/2011 15:16

I would be very annoyed if DS had to choose between triple science, history and geography. Some schools do make triple science an option choice put it is very unfair to put it with these two subjects effectively writing off the humanities choice. Three options seems a small number DS had to choose a language, history or geography and then two others. He will do triple science because he is in set one and doesn't have to select it.

How many GCSEs will he have in total? One of the schools in my area has cut back on the number of GCSEs taken in order to boost results.

elliepac · 15/02/2011 15:18

That is very limited. At the school where I teach they do have only 3 options to choose but each block contains all of the subjects on offer and that choice is entirely free from all the subjects. (about 14). Occasionally, there may be an unworkable clash due to low/high numbers in a block and an individual pupil may have to swap but that is a rarity. I happen to think it is appalling that a pupil would have to choose between a science and a humanity, both incredibly worthwhile qualifications and popular amongst students.

roisin · 15/02/2011 18:27

Three options on top of the core is not unusual.

If they do 2 English, 2 (core) science, Maths and some IT qualification they will end up with 9 GCSEs.

9 GCSEs at good grades (proper academic subjects) is plenty. There's no need to do oodles of extras.

Setting triple science against history is madness though. Surely a lot of your brightest students will want to do both those options. Are you sure history isn't in another block as well?

nagynolonger · 15/02/2011 18:41

My DS only has 3 options. He has to use one to do triple science, and one to do MFL. He could choose history or geography, but has decided to go for music instead. Which means he won't get Ebacc. he will do

Maths
Statistics
English x 2
French
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
PE (no option he will have to do GCSE, some can do Btec)
Music
RE (which could be a full GCSE if he stays after school 1 day a week.)

Northernlurker · 15/02/2011 18:44

How many GCSEs do comprehensives offer now? I did 10 and I wouldn't want dd to be offered less than that.

Lancelottie · 15/02/2011 18:59

DS1 is doing nine, DS2 will probably do ten as he's taking a language early (mixed feelings about this one as he's a pretty immature little chap).
Two different schools, both supposedly good.

Milliways · 15/02/2011 18:59

My DD did 11 subjects + an ICT award thing. Triple Science was an included 'extra' and her options were 2 languages + History & Geography.

DS is doing 11 with no formal IT anything. Triple Science at his school is compulsory, as is a MFL (French for him). He can choose 3 others so chose Latin, History & Geography.

Both are state schools, but DS is at a Grammar.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/02/2011 19:59

DD will be doing all 5 of those!

Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Maths
Eng Lan
Eng Lit
French

those are the core ( it could have been German or Spanish)

Plus
Latin
Greek
History
Geography

11!

roisin · 15/02/2011 19:59

Northernlurker - why do you want dd to do so many GCSEs?

At ds1's school they do 9 as standard (used to do 10). But there may be other options, such as statistics in yr11 for tops sets doing early entry Maths.

But tbh I think 9 is plenty. ds1 has sky high targets for everything and even now (yr9) that's a lot of pressure as he wants to achieve so highly and every mark counts.

I think he might be invited to continue Latin and do that as an extra-curric after school, but I won't be encouraging it. He needs some free time as well.

Afaik top unis/top courses prefer you to have consistent top grades with 8 or 9 subjects, than to have more uneven grades over a larger number of subjects.

bulby · 15/02/2011 20:03

Of course separates cannot beoffered as core as there is the content of a whole extra gcse to fit in! Therefore separates will be down as an option to fit in the extra time required for the third gcse. The only exception would be if all kids did separates.

said · 15/02/2011 20:04

Northernlurker - why do you want at least 10 GCSEs?

We've only got 3 options but it's like elliepac's school. The restrictions in the OP's school seem daft

webwiz · 15/02/2011 20:12

Because there are so many core subjects now if you want to add a language, a humanity and have an arts choice then you need to be taking around `10/11 GCSEs.

webwiz · 15/02/2011 20:16

bulby some schools do offer separate science as core for the top set. DS doesn't have to use an option choice to do it so I presume they'll just have to work faster to fit it in.

Original poster
danellasmum · 15/02/2011 20:29

Thanks for all the replies - sounds as though this is not the norm, but not sure what to do about it? How flexible are schools with option choices generally?

Acanthus - core subjects are:
English
Maths
Double science
RE
ICT

So with the 3 options would give total of 10 GCSE's (I think!)

His preferred career choices are PE teacher or Engineering so is set on PE but worried if he chooses Engineering he will need Ebacc subjects.

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 15/02/2011 21:20

RE and ICT as core subjects? Is it a faith school with computing specialism?

I really can't see universities insisting on EBacc at least till theres been time for it to work through the system such that schools set up their options so that kids can choose options which allow it without scuppering the subjects they need to do for their actual desired course.

Lancelottie · 15/02/2011 21:31

Are you sure the RE and ICT are GCSE choices rather than, as at my boys' schools, compulsory but unexamined? DS1 has just done 'this term's RE' today (they do one full day a term).

said · 15/02/2011 21:49

Is the RE a full GSCE and not just a 1/2?

PixieOnaLeaf · 15/02/2011 22:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GrimmaTheNome · 15/02/2011 23:24

I think RE and ICT are pretty standard 'core' subjects, aren't they?

Are they? Guess my DDs lucky then that they're just options at her school!

roisin · 16/02/2011 00:16

RE is a compulsory National Curriculum subject up until 16. However, this doesn't mean they have to do an hour or week, and certainly doesn't mean they have to do an examined course in the subject.

However, lots of schools do timetable 1 hr a week RE and in the time to the short course (1/2 GCSE) at the end of yr10 and (if they pass) the full GCSE at the end of yr11.

ICT again is a compulsory NC subject, so students have to do "some" until the age of 16. There are oodles of accredited courses out there, many of which can be completed in just a few hours' study, but are "worth" 1, 2 or more GCSEs.

I'd be very surprised at any school not ensuring students leave without at least some qualification in ICT.

(There are further, more demanding IT qualifications, that might require option time to complete.)

Original poster
danellasmum · 16/02/2011 06:39

Have checked RE and yes Roisin it is a short course giving half a GCSE and ICT is apparently worth 2 GCSE's.

Is not a faith school, just a very average comp. They have achieved an Ebacc score of 1% - which looking at no. of students on roll equates to roughly one student leaving with Ebacc GCSE's last year.

OP posts:
circular · 16/02/2011 07:36

As far ad I know from previous years (no option booklet yet) at DDs school it is EITHER :

double science, compulsory MFL (French, German or Spanish) plus 3 free options

OR

triple science plus 3 free options.

Core is
English X 2
Maths ( + stats in yr10 for top sets)
Science as above
ICT (GCSE equiv)
RE (no exam)
PE (no exam)

So that equates to 10/11 GCSEs.

So if taking triple science, there's still no room for all of a MFL, Humanity, Technology and an Art.

In my opinion, too much in the core. I think the ICT is a bit pointless as could easily be covered cross curriculum.