Do you need a "creative" type subject in your GCSE list?

[JoannaLumpy]

Dd is about to make her final choices and is deciding whether to do Art or go for another "academic" subject, partly because although she loves Art, we've heard the course work is pretty demanding time-wise. I know it needs a lot of conscientious research etc., and older girls have told her they had to do about an hour every night to keep up.

But I don't know if a prospective 6th form college/university/employer would look more favourably on someone with a broader spread of subjects, - a more well-rounded person? Art is the only arty/practical/creative type subject she's interested in. Would it be a mistake not to take it?

Unless she wants to go down an 'arty' route then not necessary. I think stuff outside of school can show that a child is well rounded. It is also a huge amount of work but maybe worth it if she would enjoy it!

I think a well-rounded selection of GCSEs is the ideal. A-levels are the time to specialise more. However if the art course is as stressful and time-consuming as it sounds, in this case I'd say opt for another academic subject. No point having a broad spectrum of subjects if the overall results are lower due to the overly demanding art course.

If she likes it, and keeps on top of the course work (I think an hour a night sounds too much) she will enjoy it.

Well I like the idea of a creative subject but I can't answer whether it makes any difference later on. DD1 did Art, DD2 Dance and DS is currently doing drama. My DD's are both at university one doing Biology and the other Maths so the creative subjects were completely unrelated to what they have gone on to do later on but they did enjoy doing something a bit different to the other academic subjects.

Thanks for all your comments.

So if an hour per evening sounds too much (phew!), can anyone say how many hours per week Art might involve?

if you look further down the page you will find this thread about Art GCSE.

From the work I have seen over the years from my form groups (not me, I can't even draw a stick man!) if you are not dedicated enough to keep up with the research, sketches etc then you will struggle to gain a good grade

cricketballs thank you, yes, I did read that thread and that sowed the seed of doubt in my mind! Good to have a reality check though.

DD is conscientious but her health is a bit fragile so I don't want her overloaded if she can choose something less time consuming.

Yes, Coconutty that makes sense to me, although looking through the numbers that did each subject from last years GCSE results I see that about a quarter of them didn't take a creative subject - they must have done an extra humanity or language.

I think the problem with Art is that it can expand to fill the time available so if your DD is the type that will "make" lots of extra work for herself then Art may not be a good idea. I would have been wary of DS taking Art because he would be too disorganised and then have to cram in masses of work just before every deadline fortunately he prefers drama which is more self contained.

webwiz thanks, good point, I can see that happening, she does tends to drift on with pieces of work. If she does take Art she would need to set boundaries on each piece and be disciplined with her time.