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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

GCSE History vs Geography

47 replies

louisea · 20/12/2012 18:25

DTs will probably have to choose between the two. What would be likely considerations? They are more science inclined than English. Don't like writing essays much. Is that something to take in to account when making the choice?

OP posts:

AlexanderS · 20/12/2012 18:30

History is lots of essays. There is more overlap between geography and science. But your DCs must have an idea of which they'd rather study.

Jobforlife · 20/12/2012 18:32

Have they any preference themselves? It's a cite easier to study either subject if you're interested in it....
After that, I'd say that geography does seem to sit well with the sciences and maths, whilst History sits with English/Languages.

lavenderbongo · 20/12/2012 18:37

I am a geography teacher so a bit bias. However as eveyone else has said geo does have a fair amount of science in it and if they find science interesting I would imagne that Geography would appeal to them.

Indyteach · 20/12/2012 19:26

As a geography teacher (married to a history teacher) I'd say this is a false choice and source of much misunderstanding. Unless they have a very small conort, schools should be offering the choice to do both. On the other hand, they shouldn't really be forcing children to do either (although they may wish to do this now as it looks like being part of the EBACC stipulation that schools are already being ranked on in some quarters even though the decisions haven't been finalised).

If pupils are trying to make the choice to do one or the other, they should do the one they enjoy most, as this will help them put in the work needed to do well. Potentially more extended writing in history and more breadth of skills in geography, but it depends on the board the school follows.

GrimmaTheNome · 20/12/2012 19:34

My DD could do both but will almost certainly drop history. She's science-inclined and loves the physical geography side. Doesn't really see the point of history - neither did I at that age, it seemed like something you could just read about or learn from documentaries. I rather think that to be really good at history - the analysis side not pointless fact regurgitation - requires more maturity of mind.

ravenAK · 20/12/2012 19:42

Can you ask what exam board(s) are used, & look up some past papers/specifications online? Check any coursework requirements too.

This will give your dc more idea what they'll actually be doing.

Also a good idea to get them to chat to their current teachers in both subjects.

HappyTurquoise · 20/12/2012 20:13

Well, DD had very good scores in both subjects up to having to choose, but didn't want to do both (already had an academic timetable from other choices). My advice was to do Geography because her love for history will mean that she will eventually pick it up effortlessly through reading and watching films for pleasure. Also, History is always someone else's story, and it is never possible to see things from all sides, so in a sense it is less likely to remain an appealing subject to her scientific mind. There is also a lot of essay writing in History. The History teacher was encouraging her to let her heart decide and choose the subject she loves the most, but I feel that History is getting a bad press and is a much more popular choice than Geography. Also with History, it helps to look at the specific syllabus to be covered, as if it seems boring or repetitive to your DC, there is no escape from it. At least with Geography there is a choice of locations to focus on in the essays.

She wavered over her choice but eventually went for Geography. At first I wasn't sure if I should have weighted my arguments so heavily towards Geography, she got a B for her first half term. We got her report today and she got a 1 for effort (exceptionally good) and an A grade for the second half of the term 'without trying too hard'.

Dancergirl · 20/12/2012 23:26

I did Geography GCSE and not History and really regret it now. My knowledge of History is pitiful. I know you can read up about it as an adult but it's not the same thing.

I would look beyond not wanting to write essays. History is hugely important, I would go as far to say it should probably be compulsory.

SavoirFaire · 20/12/2012 23:27

Definitely more cross over with science in geography, so it is either or and they are people who would benefit from the similarities then this might be the way to go. But there is a lot to gain from breadth in the curriculum as well.

However, for a teen who 'doesn't see the point in history' I would, personally, make history entirely compulsory. It is the one subject I will be gutted if my children don't choose (I know, I am likely to be hopelessly disappointed). I only studied it to 16 (DH has a degree in it), but it is the subject which offers the most insight into the world IMO. I hate to sound Govian, but I do sort of think History should be a mandatory subject for all.

Dancergirl · 20/12/2012 23:28

Hear, hear savoir

Indyteach · 21/12/2012 10:26

History and Geography were once both compulsory to 16 and this has not been ruled out for the future in the current consultation. I agree with those who think history is vital, but it is those with an insight into geographical processes and our changing world who will create the history studied by our descendants. That's why I think they go so well together, history is geography in the past; geography is history in the making.

GrimmaTheNome · 21/12/2012 11:13

History and Geography were once both compulsory to 16

were they? They certainly weren't when I was doing O levels in 1977. We were only allowed to do 8 so if you wanted 3 sciences and an MFL, along with maths and 2x English (which were compulsory for us) it was impossible to do both. DH(same year) couldn't do geography because he wanted to do history (because of fabulous teacher who made up for deficiencies in English teaching) and was forced to do Latin and Divinity (he had to drop Biology too because of those which was worse ).

When I said I couldn't see the point of history - it was more that I couldn't see the necessity of being taught it versus other subjects - like HTs DD, it seemed something more readily picked up naturally. My own DD loved it in Yr7 when her excellent HT taught her class - this year and last she's had a distinctly uninspirational teacher. She's been through the list of history and geography teachers at her school and the latter are IHO better - which can be another relevant factor.

oldpeculiar · 21/12/2012 11:14

I have heard History is harder to get a good grade in because (Whispers) even quite dim kids can do well at it.

CanIHaveAPetGiraffePlease · 21/12/2012 11:27

Which subject do they like better? Which has better teachers? Look at last few years school results -in our school one got significantly better results!

Lilymaid · 21/12/2012 12:16

History and Geography were once both compulsory to 16
Not in the late 1960s - at my grammar school the choices available then were that you probably had to take one of them, but no requirement to take both - so there couldn't have been any government requirement to take both. DH took history only. I took both as they were favourite subjects.

glaurung · 21/12/2012 14:40

Geography usually gets more exciting excursions (measuring beaches or rivers etc) than history if that matters to them.

wildirishrose · 21/12/2012 16:48

My DD is doing both Geog and History at the moment, she is really enjoying it. I would do both if he is finding it hard to choose.

3b1g · 21/12/2012 16:53

I did neither to GCSE (gave up both at the end of Y9) and it has never held me back. If pressed, I would count Latin as my 'humanity' subject; the course we did involved some Roman history.

For your DTs, I would look primarily at which subject they enjoy most. If they enjoy both then at most schools they would be allowed to study both. If they enjoy neither, then look at an alternative e.g. R.S.

HeathRobinson · 21/12/2012 17:05

For me, the problem with geography at GCSE is that it moves away from physical geography to human geography, dunno if they're the right terms.

Dd took geography but found the human element dull as ditchwater.

GrimmaTheNome · 21/12/2012 19:49

HR - know what you mean ...Dairying in Denmark . Not sure what they do in history now but it seemed to me (as a callow teen) that it took a distinct downturn from the fun Greek/Roman/ through to Elizabethan era we got in the pre-O level years, judging from my friends moaning about essays about the Chartists (interesting as they may be in reality to a grownup)

vj32 · 21/12/2012 20:16

Look at the two courses in detail. History will almost certainly contain Nazi Germany and two other topics. History is not a huge amount more writing than geography, possibly less extended writing than at KS3 depending on how that was assessed, as most of the exam questions will want one or two paragraph answers. They will have to do lots of writing in class. Don't go for history if its WJEC.

bruffin · 21/12/2012 20:28

My dcs both did/is doing WJEC history. They both really enjoy it.

BestIsWest · 21/12/2012 20:40

I've got one doing WJEC history too and loving it. The other loved it so much she's doing it at Uni. Both were stronger in English than science. DS took a long time to choose between them but in the end went for History because he liked it more and I think that is the key.

bruffin · 21/12/2012 20:59

My ds is much stronger at science and maths but always loved history. My dd is a bit more of an all rounder.

Original poster

louisea · 22/12/2012 00:07

Thank you everyone for your ideas and opinions. Lots to think about. Will show some of this to the boys and will also check out which exam boards the school uses. Previously they were inclined to take History but after an assembly this week at school they have changed to Geography. They were told that they would have to write lots of 3 page essays in History, not so much in Geography. Neither of the boys like writing essays much.

We have a few things to discuss before they make a decision. Will also be interesting to hear what the school have to say at the parent's meeting in January.

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