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Secondary education

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Original poster

Sports Day or University Challenge

11 replies

minesawine · 19/06/2014 22:23

I have a dilemma. I have a really bright DS1 in Year 8 who is in top group for every subject. He is very academic, but also very lazy and mucks about a lot. Luckily for him he doesn't have to try too hard. He has been invited to go to a university for the day to take part in a national Science and Technology Challenge. Only 12 children were selected out of 300 in his year and I was so proud.

We have now found out it clashes with the school sports fun day, where they take part in joke events such as tug-o-war. The whole school take part and there are teachers events etc. It sounds like a lot of fun. He is quite sporty, but is not in any of the sports teams and never gets picked to take part in any school sporting events.

He has no idea what he wants to do with his life, which is fine as he is still young, however he loves science and is really keen to do triple science when he chooses his options in Year 9. This is a really popular subject and only 30 children out of 300 are allowed to do it.

He really wants to go to the sports day because it will be a laugh and all his mates will be there to mess about with. I think he should go to the university because it will be an interesting day, a day at a university is a great experience and it will look good when he is applying to do triple science next year.

He is now refusing to go to the university. He was excited until he realised it would clash with sports day. I am just so frustrated with him. He is too young to realise that you have to take opportunities and what you do now can affect future decisions.

Or am I completely over reacting and what does it matter. If he wants to take the fun option than that is OK (I am cringing whilst typing this bit) and I should lighten up on him and let him decide.

What do you think mners...

OP posts:
MillyMollyMama · 19/06/2014 23:19

I am assuming the school selected him to go on the University trip. If they did, won't they be expecting him to go? Does he really have a choice? If the science department recommended him, see if they can persuade him to go. By the sounds of it, all 12 might refuse. (If you arranged it, I think he might as well do the fun day). If the school view this as part of the selection procedure for triple science, although I doubt it, then he must go. However they do have 18 more places for non selected children, so how much difference will it really make? How will the teachers feel if he does not go? Maturity does not always go with academic ability, does it?

creamteas · 19/06/2014 23:26

The university challenge would probably be fun as well, they usually try to do interesting things. But in the grand scheme of things, it will make very little difference which he does. I

I would probably stay out of it and say that he needs to sort it out with the school himself.

senua · 20/06/2014 08:34

I presume the University thing is definitely on.
Sports Day could be cancelled due to rain.

Any idea of the medium-term weather forecast?Grin

noblegiraffe · 20/06/2014 08:49

He might find that his teachers don't take kindly to his rejection of this wonderful opportunity so that he can doss about with his mates instead, and he may find himself overlooked in future. If the teachers even give him the choice.

It shouldn't affect his triple science chances though.

roguedad · 20/06/2014 17:45

The idea that anyone should put sports before science is utterly moronic. Talk some sense into him.

BackforGood · 20/06/2014 17:55

I disagree with rogueDad completely, however, I think he should take the opportunity to go to the Science day - arguments being

  • that this is a 'one off' whereas it sounds like the fun day is annual
  • fun day might be weather dependent
  • science day might also be fun, he won't know until he goes
  • science day was in the diary first.
MostWicked · 20/06/2014 20:13

The idea that anyone should put sports before science is utterly moronic. Talk some sense into him

What a ridiculous statement and an absurd approach to the dilemma.

It won't make any difference at all to the triple science application. The school will just want kids who stand a realistic chance of 3 top grades.

People need some balance of fun stuff and serious stuff. The University thing sounds like a great opportunity, but I can understand why he doesn't want to miss out on sports day.

I think you should back off a bit and give him some room to make his own decision. If you keep pushing him, he is more likely to dig his heels in. Encourage him to talk to his teachers and sort it out with them.

Original poster
minesawine · 20/06/2014 21:29

Thank you all for your replies, some very interesting arguments for and against.

We had an interesting discussion this morning about why I think he should go and why he thinks he should not. It was really frustrating that his argument was not about really wanting to take part with in the sports events, doesn't want to let his team mates down etc, it was about him getting a day off lessons and having a laugh with his mates. He just doesn't get this is a great opportunity, which is sad, but he is only 13. There would be no problem if the dates didn't clash.

Anyway this afternoon he brought the permission slip back saying he forgot to give it in, which is rubbish. I guess I have to let it drop because I am sure the spaces have all been taken. There will be other opportunities, I know. Maybe this is more about me than him and I need to get a grip!

OP posts:
MrsRuffdiamond · 20/06/2014 21:44

I imagine that if your ds has been invited to participate, his teachers must be aware of his capabilities in science. I think it would be very unprofessional of the school to allow the fact that he didn't go on the university visit to influence any decision they make about him being allowed to do triple science. Surely this would be done on ability?

When you say only 30 out of 300 pupils are allowed to do it, that presupposes that all the pupils in the year will put triple science as one of their choices. Isn't that fairly unlikely?

I'm not sure schools are always 'joined up' enough for anyone even to remember who went on what trip, by the time your ds's options are being decided.

MillyMollyMama · 21/06/2014 00:38

I assumed the OP meant the school had an intake of 300 a year so the top 10% did triple science. I tend to think it is a shame children don't do something more constructive than having a laugh and missing lessons when it is offered. We always saw a trip as missing lessons too and a chance for a laugh. I think I would keep an eye on him though to see if he continues to duck out when he thinks he can. It could escalate.

Ericaequites · 21/06/2014 03:07

No sports day, as he made a prior commitment.

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