GCSE options - should school's individual subject results be taken into account?

[Oinkyoinky]

DC is about to take her GCSE options. Overall her comprehensive gets pretty good results - in 2015 around 70% got 5 GCSEs A-C including English & Maths.

However looking just at A & A grades for individual subjects, some get great grades - ie individual Triple Science subjects around 65%, but some subjects much lower ie Geography 25%, Computer Science 9%, Product Design 8%. DC is very able and we have been told she is in theory able to get all A & A grades (in old money - but hopefully 8s & possibly 9s in the new system).

So should she avoid subjects where there is historically & statistically less percentage of students get a high grade, or should it not matter?

If History and Geography have 3 lessons timetabled, it sound like these may be a better bet. The reason History is valuable is that it does start to teach essay construction. For many degrees this is essential. Even doing a degree at LCF requires a dissertation! Essays cannot be avoided for arts subjects.

Thanks for the advice - Bonjorjo - problem is RS is compulsory so I feel that my dc is being set up for a fall as it will be extremely hard to get a good grade in the new GCSE with the 1 lesson per week.

We would rather she did not have to take it and could take History & Geography instead, but the thought of taking RS and either Geography or History is not filling my dc with happiness, despite it probably being the best choice under the circumstances. I agree that Art & Design degrees will need some essay input, so realise the importance of an essay subject - just concerned that this compulsory subject at dc's school is not being managed well.

Iborolass - sounds like a good way to approach the subject with the school - thanks!

Can someone tell me how much (private) tutoring goes on in secondary school - private or state. I ask because it is the elephant in the room at dd's state primary but is endemic. Do people tend to employ tutors for 2/3 subjects at GCSE for dcs struggling with those couple of subjects, or do they depend solely on the school? Is it something to budget for, and when does tutoring start?

sorry - didn't mean to hijack thread, but assume it influences options if tutoring is necessary (and can't be afforded)

Just from my personal experience I'm not aware that any of my friends employ tutors for GCSE but, and this may be a big but, I don't live in an area where's there's middle class angst about every element of school. On the whole children go to their catchment school and just get on with it, from what I read on here that may be unusual.