Compulsory HPQ eating into GCSE options

[muffinmonster]

We've just had GCSE options information from DS's school and I'm dismayed to find that the HPQ is compulsory AND it counts as one of their GCSE options - but it's only equivalent to half a GCSE. Double science (in whatever form) is also compulsory and a third science counts as an option.

(For those who don't know, the HPQ is the Higher Project Qualification - you can do a project on any topic you like and it's all about developing independent learning skills.)

So with the usual formula of Maths x 1, English x 2, Science x 3 (because DS is sciency and triple science goes without saying), MFL x 1, that leaves only HPQ plus two options.

I'm all for the HPQ and think it's very worthwhile, but I thought it would be run like its older sibling, the EPQ, which is usually an optional extra to be taken alongside A levels. I know everyone says the number of GCSEs doesn't matter but I'm surprised that DS's school would settle for 9.5 when everyone else as far as I can see does 10.

Anyone else in this situation?

First, if it's compulsory then it's not an option!
(Unless you are saying it appears in all option blocks but they have to pick it from one of them?)

Second, you can't say that he's taking triple science and an MFL and then say he only has two options. He has 4 options, and is choosing to do triple science and an MFL (unless I am reading your OP incorrectly).

In DDs school they have to do RE and ICT as compulsory, neither of which you mention. Are you sure they are not doing at least one of these?

Having 4 actual options, is reasonably normal I think. He can choose triple scince an MFL, a humanity and one other (eg second MFL, second humanity, or a creative arts or tech, or PE).

No comment on number of GCSEs. Once you get above 8 I'm not convinced it makes much difference.
No comment either on HPQ. Does it actually take up as much time as an option? Or is it in fact being done in e.g 1 hr / week?

Sounds fine. You only have two options left because you've used one for triple. You actually have three options, and possibly a choice over which MFL.

Am quite jealous actually hpq is a very good one to have.

Hmm, I didn't explain it very well. There are no option blocks, just a list of compulsory GCSEs and a list from which you get to choose three options. At least one MFL is compulsory, though you can do another as one of your options.

Compulsory: Maths, Eng x 2, Science x 2 (Core + Additional, or if you intend to do triple, then any two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics), MFL, HPQ.

So that's 6.5. (HPQ = 0.5 of a GCSE)

Then you choose three from the optionals; RE and ICT come under this list. (It's an independent school; I think state schools often insist on RE either as full GCSE or a short courrse?) So yes, the third science is an option.

I'm surprised that the HPQ is (presumably) being timetable as a full GCSE subject - will need to ask the school for more info. Agreed that the HPQ is good to have, it's just that I always thought of it as an add-on.

I suppose it's not all that big a deal. I'm just a bit disappointed that DS won't be able to do both music and drama as well as history. As I said, he's quite sciency and it would be nice for him to enjoy these more creative subjects before he has to specialise at A-level.

OK, that makes more sense.
It is quite likely that HPQ as an add on and as only 0.5 is not given nearly the same amount of time as other GCSEs.

At DDs school each of her 5 options gets 5hrs/fortnight.
The compulsories (maths, english, core science, RE, ICT and PE) get the other half of the time (25hrs/fortnight). ICT leads to an iGCSE but only gets 4 hours. The RE is being done in 2hrs/fortnight, leading to a 0.5 GCSE.

Your son can keep doing music and/or drama as an extra curricula activites quite easily.

HPQ takes over my DD's life and she gets so stressed about it on top of all her other studies. I'm very scared for her wellbeing as she is getting very stressed and has seemingly been given no guidance from the school on her project. She has recently complained to me about getting stress dreams about completing her project. I have spoken to her friends' mums and they all seem to be having similar problems with their DDs. She often spends hours at the computer (sometimes for longer than the school day) and her sleep seems to be affected by this. She is also drinking lots of tea and coffee to keep her awake so she can stick to her schedule. I am becoming exceedingly worried about her wellbeing. Any advice?

At my dc's school they use the HPQ to meet the compulsory RS part of the national curriculum. They have a 3 year KS4 starting in year 9. No RS is taught in KS3 and in year 9 they have 2 lessons a fortnight where they spend some time looking at ethics for 2 terms and then they choose a project and do it. All over by end of year 9 (and end of their RS lessons for ever).

Is it tgat your school is doing something similar?

TaylorSwiftie the HPQ is not a long project- isn't it only up to 3,000 words and that includes the literature review, self evaluation, bibliography and main essay.

Including mid-term review presentation, final-term review presentation, Gantt chart, production log, diary, source analysis table, research, and surveys. This surrounded by other school subjects and social life this project does soon become long. But maybe your DC doesn't share this information with you.
:)

I don't now anything about the HPQ but at ds school the kids do 8 GCSEs (I only did 8 too, at a grammar school).

If they do triple science they will do 9.

The school is also offering some optional after-school GCSEs, so you could, in theory, do 10. But that's it.

We've moved on from the years of doing 11/12 subjects. There was never any need to do that many but now the GCSEs are going back the level of difficulty they were post O levels, there will be no time, either.

mommydearest57 was this aimed at me? I'm happy to assure you that my child does share information with me, plus I have read the course specification and spoken to the subject teacher but thank you for your concern.

It is not an onerous task doing an HPQ however with all projects if not carefully managed they can expand to fill an indefinite amount of time. HPQ unlike EPQ don't require presentations although of course your school may ask pupils to do them.

My ds has managed to complete his to a high standard whilst studying other GCSE's, competing in a sport which requires a lot of training and having a very active social life so I stand by my initial comments.

Both my DS and DD did an HPQ in year 9. It fitted well there, and gave the more able students a positive focus during a difficult year. Not sure they get as high marks as they would if they were a little older but the skills learned are valuable and they take 11 GCSEs anyway.

settledandsmug my children's school also do it in year 9 and I've found exactly the same as you. They do 10 / 11 GCSEs (depending on additional maths) and it all fits in really well and develops good skills.

It sounds pretty standard. At the school ds has just left (an independent) there are 6 compulsory subjects (English x2, Science x2, Maths, & a language, then any one out of history, geography or RS & 3 options. If you choose triple science you only get two options.

AQA HPQ does require a presentation as well as the other reviews listed above. There is one period timetabled per week and the guidance is that there will be a minimum of 60 hours independent study carried out. The project essay is not restricted in length and indeed my son's accompanying project report was close to 3,000 words alone.

That said it is completed in one academic school year and my don has done it alongside 10 gcses and first team rugby and tennis and out of school football and golf.

It is good preparation for EPQ and uni and despite some procrastination at the start he soon got really into it and took ownership of it. I would definitely recommend it (if it were optional) and not worry about it being compulsory having gone through it.