GCSE Media studies in year 9

[swarskicat]

My DD is in year 7 at a good comprehensive. Her current performance is good (6a in Maths, 6c in English, science, geography and History),and her school has offered her the option of doing media studies GCSE in yr 9.

So my questions are, why media studies - seems like an odd subject to do a GCSE in; would this detract from progress in other studies? and can they really do a GCSE in yr9? Apparently the top 30 children in English get offered this option.

Any experience of this or any views?

It's an extra, to bump up the school's performance tables. Not highly regarded ime nor particularly helpful for English.

LIZS - thanks, seems pointless to me. I have had a look at the description on line and I cannot see anything that would interest DD.

Problem is it is seen as the 'top group' and my DD likes to be doing well at school. Will show her the stuff online and see what she thinks.

Any other views, experiences?

Media studies is a complete waste of time IMO especially at GCSE level

Lots of schools get certain children to do non-core subjects in Y9 or 10 as this frees up time later on - my niece is in Y9 and has music GCSE next week

Sodding - A bit off subject but is music GCSE the same as Music theory grade 5?

There is composition and performance in Music GCSE, we were told min Gr 4 instrument required.

Gunz - it's different - a bit easier as far as I can see

My niece is nowhere near grade 5 standard and has apparently got an A* in the composition and performance elements so far

DD1 did Media Studies in Y9 as an extra rather than concentrating on GCSE work for three years (this was back a few years when quantities of GCSEs were important for league tables and the school felt they'd be better doing something that got them a qualification rather than extending them in English Lit).

She really enjoyed it - they looked at advertising and how it's mostly all lies - but it wasn't exactly a challenge, think she got an A without much effort.

It's not especially well regarded as a GCSE, but for DD was a fun extra, and a means of "trying out" a GCSE at a point where it wouldn't count if it all went wrong (it's on a separate exam certificate so although she needed to declare it for uni applications, it could easily drop off her CV now she's at degree level.

I do not see the point of doing it. Your DD needs around 10 GCSEs and English Literature and Language are desirable, but not media studies. It seems bizarre to offer it to the top group. I know lots of children at my local state grammar schools and plenty at independent schools and no single child has been offered this or would have considered doing it. It is far far better not to waste time doing media studies when she could spend all her time doing the GCSEs that give her preparation for future study at A level. An easy A isn't any good if you drop from A* to A in English for example. If your DD is bright, go for the 10 strong GCSEs .

Sodding and Liz - Thank you.