Year 9 options help

[domesticgodessintraining]

Would ICT, geography and business studies be classed as weak GCSE options by Universities, or would it be better to do ICT, Geog, History or RS?

They are much more interested in subject choice at A levels than at GCSE level. If you look through the Russel Group Informed Choices booklet link here then you'll see that they don't say much at all about GCSE subjects, except that some courses may have particular requirements. There are some things you should watch out for - having maths, a science, a language - which are the likeliest ones to cause a problem.

But generally I don't think they'll be bothered about Business Studies rather than History, at GCSE level. OTOH if he did History GCSE he'd have an option of continuing with it to A level, where it definitely would be a "good" subject choice.

History, Geography and RS are traditional, well respected, academic subjects.
ICT was in the news recently as being not fit for purpose and will probably have an overhaul soon.
Business Studies is not very highly regarded but, if you are that way inclined, it is easy to get a good grade.

Geography great
ICT and bus studs not so great. Nowt wrong with one 'weak' 'light' or fun subject if they really want to do it, but not two. Out of the two I'd say business studies was the better one

Thank you ladies. I will show DD your comments when she gets home.

I'll be watching this thread with interest - DS1 is choosing options too. We have history down as a definite - nothing else!

Must doe English, Maths, Science, Humanities (Geog/Hist) and an MFL to get English Bac. If capable of going to a good uni then I would recommend Eng bac subjects. Surprised your school is not encouraging this and this is how they will be measured.

At dd's school meeting on Wednesday,they said the EBach is more of a measurement of the school than the child....I think or something like that
DD is dead set against a language...so has to go down the Open Pathway...is that a disadvantage then?

For some universities and some subjects, not having an MFL can be a show-stopper. But it depends what he/she's likely to want to do - if you're going into science or engineering, it's less likely to be an issue than if you go in for an arts subject.

Lots of emphasis on eng bacc at our school. Lots

What is Open Pathway?

Open Pathway is where you have full free reign on the subjects you choose...as opposed to the EBac where it's French or Spanish and History or Geography...then you choose the others yourself.

I think

God it's all so different to when I went to school in 1902

It?s compulsory to do a language and the usual maths, Eng lang, English Lit, Science the rest are optional at her school. The school is not doing the EBach.

She really enjoys Art but so many people have told her GCSE Art is too time consuming and slightly boring.

The EBacc is a measure of 'allroundedness'. If a pupil can get it then it would be a shame not to have it. But if a pupil is not capable or actively dislikes the subjects then it is daft to pursue it - they should stick to the things that they are good at / enjoy.
The EBacc was never intended to be something that all pupils get.

DSs school has suggested they think carefully about their choices bearing in mind EBacc, but is nor forcing it. They have always pushed a MFL for students following the academic pathways though.

So DS, who wanted Geography and Geology, is doing Italian instead of History. which he would have preferred. Also chose GCSE Music, but that was in a different column. (Plus core of triple science, maths, english, bpe).

I'd treat ICT with caution, depending on what her future ideas are.

How can school not be doing the Ebacc? Surely they are offering sciences, maths, english and options of a language and history or geography. Do you mean its up to students to choose and it isn't compulsory?

Yes our school have EBacc or Open Pathways. All GCSE.
EBacc is somewhat compulsary in some choices whereas OP is completely choices,except obviously for Eng,Maths

The Ebacc is not compulsory in our school though english, maths, at least 2 sciences and MFL are compulsory and always have been, there is no insistence on doing either history or geography. The option leaflet has half a page on the Ebacc and says the school has no intention of altering the way students choose subjects but goes on to say that for those students wishing to go to university it is advisable to choose either history or geography ensuring a more rounded education which universities will look for in students.

"How can school not be doing the Ebacc? Surely they are offering sciences, maths, english and options of a language and history or geography."

Languages are only compulsory to KS3. A lot of schools totally dropped all languages for KS4, so no GCSE were available. This is is why the Govt invented the EBacc - now that certain things are being 'measured' schools are suddenly a bit more keen on them.
Also, some schools do a Humanities GCSE which is a mishmash of Hist+Geog+RE.

I keep asking ds (13) about his options and has he had a letter or a leaflet for us to look at, but nothing.

I checked the school website + nothing.

I am right in thinking he'll have to choose soon aren't I? Or am I an idiot? quite possible

Frets

I am always surprised at how much fuss there is over this. At ds's school the compulsory subject are:

Eng lang, Eng lit, RS, Maths, French, Physics, Chemistry, Biology. DS then chose from a long list of options: History, Latin and Art. We thought he had chosen sensibly and had no argument with him or the school. We were quite proud that he chose to do Greek as an optional extra and went in early twice a week to do it.

My Yr 9 DS is choosing his soon - we have the dreaded informative Options evening next week.
He came home with the Options booklet this week and it has led to more Qs than answers.

It WAS simpler in the 80s wasn't it or is my memory going?!

GCSE Computing or GCSE ICT ??
D/T - thee are 3 subjects for this Resistant Materials, Product Design & Electronics - Didn't that used to be CDT woodwork/metalwork?

Can you do History A-level but not History at GCSE?

Err. what does "RS" stand for please?

Religious Studies.

Thanks! I am a bit surprised that this is a mandatory subject; it is taught as a non-GCSE subject in DD's school. Unless the school is a religious one, I suppose?

Half a GCSE in RE is compulsory at DD1s school (state comp. Non religious)

She's had her form signed to say she is not doing the EBac, she is dyslexic and cannot spell in English let alone French.
She's put geography, music, computing (strange new course) and art for fun (she loves it, she isn't terribly good).
She wants to do something scientific so she needs 3 sciences, geography and maths at as higher grade as possible. The others we'll see.