A way to do computer science

[Verbena37]

Hi,
DD has come home today saying her ICT teacher was surprised she hasn't chosen computer science as one of her GCSE options (they've not officially been told they have their choices yet) and said it was a shame she isn't doing it as she is the best out of the whole year (not a MN brag but that's what she said).

Anyway, I've emailed the tescher to ask if there is any possible way of her doing it but without dropping her chosen subjects of geography, French and art. My idea was she could drop mandatory RE/Philosophy and Ethics or, because she's chosen triple science, that she could perhaps swap physics (her least fave science) for computer science instead,

Anybody know or think the above might be do-able?

Of all the subjects CS is probably the easiest to self-teach, there are loads of online resources and you can learn just by tinkering if you have the aptitude for it.
There are loads of outside of school CS classes for children too. Look in to Code Club & similar

Computer systems engineering degrees which often involve hardware also have Maths as an essential subject and also prefer Physics or electronics.

Yeah, but that's stretching "Computer Science" a bit. The Computer Systems Engineering courses at Manchester and Warwick are hosted in the CS department and don't need physics or electronics; the places that want physics or electronics are hosting CSE in the EE department, like Bath. It's an Elec Eng degree with a bit of computing, for example:

www.bath.ac.uk/catalogues/2015-2016/ee/UEEE-AFM13.html

Yes, if you want to do elec eng, you'll need physics. But few people would describe those as Computer Science degrees.

If she is good at Maths and Sciences she should consider doing CS as well I'd say - instead of something she clearly wont use in the future like Art/RS - i.e she has a scientific/technical bent and is most probably going to pursue a career in science or technology. I work in IT, although I did a biological science at Uni, and as others have said, this is an excellent career choice for girls at the moment because they are literally crying out for more women to address their terrible diversity stats. The place where I am working at the moment just hired a female CTO who has announced a program to employ more women because the IT Dept is only 7% female. Where from though? In the 20 years I've been in a technical role in computing I have never, ever had another female in my team (5 companies) Seriously, any woman coming out of uni with a CS degree could waltz onto any graduate program I'd have though as there are so few of them in this country - also science subjects to a lesser extent.

As well as Maths and 3 sciences I meant - which are essentil to keep her option open for STEM I think

This business of triple science really annoys me. I was utterly crap at one of the three subjects, hated one and loved one. Had I not been able to do just that one science at O Level I wouldn't have done any. And then not done it at A level. Or the maths that was obligatory with it. I probably wouldn't be doing my job now and that would be a shame because I'm good at it.

I think DD was confused after the teacher said she surprised she had chosen CS GCSE because of her love of and high ability in ICT? However, she doesn't want to be behind her peers who have done triple science when it comes to doing biology A level.

She defo doesn't want to drop art.....she is really skilled at it and loves it and because her other subjects are very academic, she wants to do (albeit a lot of coursework) for a relaxing, more fun aspect. Byes, I know it's hard work and she knows that too but to her, her personality and skill is shown through her art and she feels calm and relaxed whenever she does it. I think in a world of stress and pressure, that's important if she wants to do it.