Another Options one please - DS needs a "lighter" subject

[MrSimms]

He's not especially academic and doesn't apply himself that well. One of those frustrating ones who's predicted B/C but could do better....

Anyway, off his own back he's chosen pretty sensible options IMO and will fulfil the EBACC (assuming he passes!) with compulsory Maths, English, RE and Double Science plus options of Computer Science, German and Geography. He has one more option and wants to choose a lighter subject - whilst appreciating that they will all have some quite a lot of academic content.

ATM he's split between:

Drama - which he seems to enjoy but which his teacher has really tried to talk him out of on the basis that he's too quiet. He's never volunteered for a part in anything but apparently enjoys the classes I can see that if he does take to it properly it would be great for him (because he's too quiet!) but OTOH I can see the "soft" subject being really hard for him.

Media Studies - the syllabus sounds right up his street, but is it one of those subjects that makes people go ? I know my employer doesn't look favourably on media studies degrees but then this is one of several GCSEs

BTEC Engineering - It's an "equivalent", rather than a GCSE. Does that matter? There's a substantial practical metalworking content and he's not at all practical (note Art is very much not on the list). Also because he opted for Cooking (and sewing) in Yr9, he will have done less metalwork at the start of yr10 than most of the others on the course.

Catering and Hospitality - This is what he was going to do when he took cooking for yr 9. They had to choose to do either cooking & textiles or DT/metalwork/woodwork for yr9. If he took this option, he would do Catering GCSE at the end of year 10 and Hospitality in yr11, but he's gone luke warm on this one now.

Does anyone have extra any pros/cons for him to consider.

Not the one he's gone lukewarm on.
He need to be practical or to want to be practical to enjoy engineering.
Media Studies: could do worse. Have you actually looked at the syllabus?
Drama: is lots of essay writing. Does he like writing essays?

My ds is doing media studies and is enjoying it very much,

Please don't think drama is a soft subject, it is very hard work

No, that's why I said "soft" gymboy. He knows they'll all involve more written work than the titles suggest but is hoping drama (and the others) will also provide some light relief though practical sessions.

A previous syllabus for media studies GCSE.
I can see why it gets labeled lightweight I'd find it boring (but then I find calculus fun so great we're all different.)
I suspect kids get out of it what they get in.
I talk about some of those issues with my 13yo DD, she is such heavy consumer of modern media. It's good they have a way to encourage teens to stop & think about what they're being bombarded with.

From the ones you list, I would choose Media.

I would certainly rule out Drama, if his teacher has tried to talk him out of it. Normally, teachers are desperate for recruits!

drama is a lot of writing imo

Both of my DSs took BTEC engineering as an easy subject on top of 11 academic GCSEs.
I can't pretend they loved it, but it was very easy. No exam and in fact they both completed it by Feb / March of Y11 and were able to make use of the BTEC lesson time to revise for other subjects.

If his drama teacher is talking him out of it I would be wary, but a lot of boys end up taking "technical" options such as lighting or sound (or set) and they can be assessed on this component, instead of acting. I guess not all schools may offer it, but it is worth considering.

Thank Ladymuck. Yes, that's what he's hoping - he wants to do the lighting side of things, which they do offer, but he would have to prove enough aptitude/interest before he was allowed to go down that route and his teacher seemed to think he wasn't doing that ATM, although he does go to a lunchtime club every week.

She kept saying "I'm not saying you shouldn't do it" or "I'm not trying to talk you out of it" at the same time as giving him all the reasons why he shouldn't do it!

Which one is he most in favour of?

Let him decide.

Well yes, that's it isitsnowing. His favourite is drama....the one everyone advises against.

OP / lljkk
Drama isn't necessarily lots of essay writing - perhaps depends on the board / syllabus / how taught?

DD y11 has had approximately zero homework for drama. She has had 3 coursework write ups (which sadly for her were done with no practice writing ups before hand). Will get busy for next 9 weeks in run up to final performance exam.

Suggest you get him to talk to some y10 or y11s doing Drama and his next favourite (Media?) so he can get a better feel for what's involved. DD likes drama (has always done some kind of extra curricula drama) but to be honest hasn't really enjoyed it nearly as much as she thought she would, and has struggled with requirements.

Drama. Very good option indeed if he's quiet and a contrast to the other stuff too. The teacher may not be thinking about your DSs best interests tbh. If drama is the way he's inclined to go, he should go that way, no question. My DS was in the same sort of boat, did drama, loves it, doing it as a fourth A2 as a contrast/ break from sciences.

You could ask a very specific question to the Drama teacher:
"If DS does this, would you anticipate him getting at least a C?"
and hear the response.

Similarly for the next best option.

What is more/most important for you?

• getting a certain grade (e.g. C)
• he enjoys it
• it develops specific skills

Catering not bad in terms of a life skill?

DS1 did drama and got an A but I am trying to discourage DS2 from also taking it at GCSE. DS1 enjoyed the subject but the majority of the exam is based on a group performance (at least his exam board was). The teacher divided the class into groups and they were then responsible for devising and presenting a piece within certain parameters. DS1's problem was that of his group of, I think, five students, two were always missing, forgetting rehearsals etc. It came right down to the wire for them to actually get a decent performance together, despite the teacher really weighing in to get them working. Although each student is getting an individual grade, I strongly believe that this grade is going to be affected by how the group as a whole perform. You can be giving the greatest speech ever but if your fellow actor is monosyllabic, it's not going to work!

Back to checking syllabus of each one carefully, I think.
DS does not like writing essays, even 3 would be more than he could stomach!

Completely agree about drama and the group stuff. From your list , I would recommend he goes for the catering option.

Totally agree with unexpected. My more maths/sciency daughter got a B in drama (along with mostly A's) partly because she did not expect it to be as much essay based, but also because she had no control over her group, some of whom wouldn't rehearse etc. I would encourage DD2 not to do it.