GCSE's- Do they HAVE to follow the Eng Bacc principle?

[Tiredemma]

DS (year 8) is in the process of taking his options. He came home with some paperwork and there is quite a direct 'nod' to following the English Bacc - however he had hoped to drop his MFL altogether - as he hates them and isnt very good and feels it would be a waste of a GCSE.

He is keen to choose History, Geography, PE and Business Studies. I support him not wanting to take a MFL for GCSE and would rather he work hard at subjects that he is good at and enjoys- BUT is he at a disadvantage from the off by not going with a Language and not adopting the Eng Bacc route?

I dont want him to make a mistake that will cost him in the future in terms of University (he has his eye on Exeter, Durham or Bath to do a Sports Science Degree- he wants to work in sport in the future- LoNG WAY OFF but seems to be dead set on this!!)

Any advice? its a minefield to me!

My opinion is that the eBacc is an arbitrary measure that has been dreamt up by the government to find a new way of comparing schools.

I don't have a GCSE in a humanity, but it didn't hold me back from being able to get a degree from a well-regarded university.

I did get French GCSE, but it has not been an entry requirement for anything I've done since.

However, in some schools (including DS1 and DS2's school), the GCSE options are presented in a way that the eBacc combination is compulsory.

DS1 would love to give up German and only do GCSEs in the subjects that he enjoys (Maths, English, Sciences, History, Latin, Classical Civilisation) but he is not being given that option.

Three- he isnt being given the option by the school or by you?

By the school. I don't mind whether he does German GCSE or not.

The background is that German is his weakest subject by quite a margin, and also his least favourite of the ones he will be doing to GCSE.

From the options booklet: "All students must choose to study a Modern Foreign Language."

Just read his paperwork again and it just says 'we urge you to consider taking a MFL as an option'

Agree not necessary to do EBacc. However timetabling constraints may mean he has no choice. NB he should also consider Loughborough for sports science.

Thanks for the advice. I will look into it further at the Options evening.

titchy we have a relative who went to Loughborough and just didnt rate it so thats always been put to the bottom of the list- however would visit ourselves when the time comes.

I think it depends on the school doesn't it? My Yr 11 dd hasn't got a MFL and my Yr 9 dd who selected her options early (school policy) hasn't got a MFL either.

ThreeBeeOneGee We were told at Y9 option evening last week that Latin does fulfill the language option for the EBacc, so your ds may not need to take German as well.
Tiredemma at the moment it is not compulsory for pupils to have the EBacc and take a MFL, but it is possible that this could change (again). Since your ds is having to choose options a year early, it could be that the school are anticipating a future change making MFL compulsory.