Is anyone else struggling with GCSE options regarding languages and 6th form entry/uni entry?

[Fimbo]

We thought we had worked out which options dd was going to take. But the 6th form she is keen to get into is insisting from 2014 that a language is a necessity at GCSE regardless of whether you carry on to do it A Level or not. Dh phoned them yesterday and they said that even if a pupil applied with 10 A*'s they wouldn't even be considered unless they had a language. The principal said that more and more universities will be pushing for languages at GCSE and A level.

I am so confused. It doesn't help either that dh and I are both Scottish and know that system better. If we send her to an independant 6th form then they don't have that criteria but then I wonder if she would be penalised when trying to getting into uni.

Arrghh it is so damn hard. We want her to do History, Geography & Spanish as her 3 option choices, she wants to do Art (which she probably her weakest subject), Geography & Spanish.

We have already had tears and tantrums, I also remember my dad stopping me from doing subjects I wanted to do so I do know how she is feeling and where she is coming from. We are just trying to see it from the long term point of view.

I did say "unless they want to do something really bonkers" if it'a sane choice but not your choice, let them get on with it.

I think Art, PE or Music GSCEs give a bit of breadth but it's her decision in the end.

point taken. I still think debating even sane choices is a good thing if done in the right way. Children don't always consider everything and schools don't always seem to give very much advice either. I'd always recommend parents are involved in making sure a choice has been properly thought through, sane or not even though GCSE choices don't usually seem to be all that critical in the long run.

DD currently in year 10 chose her options before Gove finalised the subjects. Her free choices are Art (loves it but loads of work), Music (loves it again, not quite as much work) and Spanish (only started subject in year 9 but progressing well, enjoys it and on target for an A hopefully). Goves Bacc proposals originally included Music and Art as a humanity before cutting it down. We were keen she did a language but otherwise allowed free choice as all her other compulsary subjects cover the academic stuff IMO (2 x English; 2 x maths; 3 x sciences; + half P.E; OCR ICT; PSHCE etc). Most importantly is teh fact that she enjoys her subjects and therefore puts the work in. If we had made her do history, I think the situation would be very different IUSWIM ;)

Sorry forgot to add that we didn't find school very useful as all in helping with our joint decision as all the teachers seem to be competing to get your DDs to choose their subjects - very biased and not subjective!

" all the teachers seem to be competing to get your DDs to choose their subjects - very biased and not subjective!"

Or tonget your dd NOT to choose their subject, depending on the dd concerned!

LOL :)

I'd see a gcse language as a fairly essential qualification for anyone who's got any chance of getting one, or is thinking towards academic courses at university. Not having a language til 16 is an issue for some university courses, and it always has been, that was the case back in the 80s when my school encouraged a language option but didn't enforce it - and it did affect people's university options and offers. The EBACC isn't new in that, it's highlighting a common problem.

Spanish is way easier than French (because every syllable is pronounced and it has strong logical coherence (or at least it seemed to me ) - also there are some great Spanish bands eg mexican band Mana - they might inspire her - brilliant live sound and cool rebellious lyrics.