GCSE options - DD totally confused now

[Tigerblue]

Following options evening, DD is now confused is reviewing her choices.

Eng Lang, Eng Lit, Maths & Science are compulsory.

She can choose six options, which she is guaranteed due to the way they build the timetable for some pupils.

1. Music, first option choice with no hestitation

2&3. French & Spanish. She is doing fast track French in Year 10 and then concentrate on her Spanish

Then she needs advice!

1. She was going to do DT textiles which she enjoys, but after speaking to the Art Department thinks she would be better doing Art & Design Graphic Communication or A&D Textiles as she would need a GCSE Grade B to continue with an art subject at A level in the school. She's interested in design, but also likes the thought of photography later on, so an art choice will keep her options open. She's now thinking about A&D Textiles, but is going back to the Art Depart today to look at Textiles & Graphics Communication again. Does anyone have any comments on DT textiles, or A&D Textiles of Graphics?

5&6. Two from Religion & Life Studies, History & Geography. R&LS, she is not so interested in religion, but has already exceeded her KS3 target by two levels on the LS side. At the present time, she seems quite excited about this one. History, she is good at and puts lots of work into it. She's not go interested in the course content - Medicine and American History, but I think would get in to it. She can do A level history in Sixth Form even if she doesn't have History GCSE. Geography, she's interested in the environment and conservation - I think this subject would best touch on this interest for now and help with the wider picture - she doesn't seem excited about it though. Again, does anyone have any comments?

hmmm... if DD (y8) does history next 2 yrs it will be Medicine & German history (which suits her). Are you sure yours has to do med+US history? We were told that's only if DD does history in yr11.

(sorry no idea on the textiles options)

Definitely go for what she has enthusiasm in.

Thank you.

They do three main subjects under GCSE History - Local History (Victorian era comparing with other areas which she will enjoy), American West history and Medicine through time.

She spoke to teachers in the History, Georgraphy and R&LS Departs and had a look at all GCSE text books, so at least she's tried to understand each option as much as she can.

She has a long list - something musical, interior design, author wise come out top, but things like Graphic Design, Illustrator, Travel Writer and something to do with the environment do get mentioned.

Honestly? I think she'll have a good balance of subjects whichever she chooses and should just go for the two options she thinks she will enjoy most over the next two years. I don't think she is really closing down any routes either way.

Thank you, irregularregular.

She looked again at the art work yesterday, and is now fairly certain she would prefer to do Art & Design Textiles (this is one of the subjects which will allow her to do an art A level of some kind in Sixth Form) over A&D Graphics or D&T Textiles.

She is still in a dilemma over which two to choose from History, Geography and RE & Life Studies (ie ethics, philosophy) though, so she is still open to any comments.

Geography fits best with the career list you've posted above.

Agreed, if there is any possibility she may want to take environmental science or similar then continuing with geography seems sensible. Then whichever of the other two she likes best/gets highest grades in. She has a good spread of subjects there which shouldnt limit her future options.

lol at calling RS ' and life studies'

What's the balance of coursework and exam for those three humanities? When my dds did RS it was exam only, which might be preferable for your dd as she otherwise has quite a lot of ongoing work for music, textiles, and the two lots of CAs for her MFLs.

The geography exam is more short answers I think, which might be more straightforward to do well in? History requires more essay-type answers.

History is the best choice for anyone considering a career in writing or journalism because it does require writing! I think her careers are a bit varied at the moment so I think any of these choices is fine. Photography can be done from scratch at A level but I think doing History this way is not such a good idea.

Thank you for your replies. I agree, I think geography would be more suitable given some of her possible job interests, however, I suspect she enjoys history more.

AtiaoftheJulii, RE & Life Studies (ie Ethics and Philosophy) is 100% exam and both geography and history are both 75% exam and 25% coursework, so there isn't anything to choose between geography and history. You're right, geography is more short answers, whereas history is more written essay.

MillyMollyMama, she's been told by the school if she wants to continue with an art subject at A level with them, then she has to have a GCSE B grade in one of their art subjects. There will be other sixth forms to look at, but this one will certainly be the easiest to travel to and is highly thought of.

I will show her your replies (and any others) in the hope they help one way or the other.