Latin or Creative Arts in Year 7

[Katryn]

My son is going from state primary to private secondary at 11. We have to choose now whether he should take Latin or Creative Arts (drama, music and creative English) he will also be starting French and Spanish (which he has to do). It's a really hard choice, he loves drama, but also wants to do Latin, school adamant that they can't change timetable though. Will it be too much to start 3 languages (he has a tiny bit of Spanish from yr 4 and 5). So he will be doing Spanish French and Latin? Also if he changes school for any reason at 13+ he will probably need Latin. School say he can start Latin and then swap if he doesn't like it. They think 3 new languages will be quite tough.

Can only say that my DD did three new languages in Y7, being Spanish, German and Latin (having done French at primary but chose to drop it). She coped fine, and has chosen to do two of them for GCSE. She has commented that people who do French and Spanish get a bit muddled sometimes as they are quite similar languages - the difference between the German and Spanish that she does is greater, iyswim.

That said, it might be a bit hard going for him if he doesn't do any drama or music, especially if he likes drama.

My son isn't taking Drama at GCSE (albeit his best subject) because options clash with ones he needs for a career. He is continuing Drama with the local theatre group. Will your son be able to do something like this?

If he does Latin, will he do no drama or music?!
for ds1 I would have gone for Latin.
for ds2 I would have gone for drama and music, without a doubt.

It depends on their talents and interests; and also - as you say - how good they are linguistically to take on 3 new languages.

My DD did Latin and French in Year 7, then added German in Year 8. Did all three to GCSE and French and Latin to A level, French to degree level.

Yes he can do drama at lunch time drama clubs, and he already goes to an after school drama club, and he does piano lessons. He does love drama, but at the moment, strangely, is gunning for Latin. Thanks for all the advice. Am aggrieved that we have to make the choice, though it won't stop him doing GCSE drama.