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Secondary education

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Original poster

Thoughts please on GSCE choices for DS

18 replies

anotherglass · 12/02/2017 16:40

DS does not know what he wants to do yet but is keen on university and we want to keep his options open.

He is an artsy kid who loves drama and music and is also academically able. He's not a natural student, more one who needs to be pushed to work, but gets decent results when he puts in effort.

His teachers have recommended triple science but also say doing double science may increase his chances of getting very good grades.

Would appreciate thoughts on these options.

Core: English Lang, English Lit, Maths
Options: Double Science, Geography, Drama, German, Music

or

He could also choose as options:
Triple Science, Geography, Drama and German (drop Music)

Thanks

OP posts:
booellesmum · 12/02/2017 16:48

I'm not sure it will really matter in the long term - although unless he is really passionate about music I guess triple science keeps more options open academically.
Is there any chance of doing triple science and music? It is fairly common to do 10 gcse's.

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 12/02/2017 16:53

Doing double science rather than triple won't restrict any A level choices though, because the A level curriculum, even if you are doing science A levels, has to be taught so it is accessible to those who did double science. My DS did triple science but lots of his friends only did double as they wanted to do more subjects at GCSE, they did Chemistry and Physics A levels and all did fine.

I think that students are more motivated when they enjoy the subjects, so he should do the subjects that interest him most.

Allthebestnamesareused · 12/02/2017 16:59

If he sticks with triple science would he drop drama and keep music.

If he is really artsy is he likely to end up with a career in that field? If so, I'd go double science route keeping the drama and music.

As a pp said they can still access science A levels having done double (just a bit more work a t times when they cover areas not already covered) but it is doable.

Original poster
anotherglass · 12/02/2017 17:06

He has only recently discovered that with a bit of effort, he can do quite well in science.

If triple science opens more doors, we want to keep his options open until he decides what he likes best.

He is better at drama than music.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 12/02/2017 17:09

If triple science opens more doors, we want to keep his options open until he decides what he likes best.

It doesn't. There's no issue with doing double rather than triple, even if you want to do science a levels or a science degree.

Is he likely to want to go on to do any sciences at a level?

Rickandmorty · 12/02/2017 17:09

Love seeing German on there. Brilliant!

Original poster
anotherglass · 12/02/2017 17:13

PurpleDaisies he is not sure what he wants to do at A level - this is the issue for us. We want to keep his options open as much as possible.

OP posts:
TeenAndTween · 12/02/2017 17:41

You can do science A levels with double rather than triple.
but if everyone else has done triple you may find the teachers assume the knowledge. So if he went on to do e.g. Biology for A level he might need to mug up on the B3 content before he started the A level.

clary · 13/02/2017 23:08

If he keeps up whatever instrument he plays as well and does his grades, that's as valid (sort of!) as doing GCSE music.

I don't mean that GCSE music isn't great, it is, DD loves it, but if you can get to, say, grade 6 in your trumpet or clarinet along with a good grade of theory alongside your GCSEs, that's really valuable and just as good in terms of performance (tho no composition obv).

No use if you want to do music A level tho.

YY great to see him doing German, love that! The new GCSE is excellent Grin

sendsummer · 14/02/2017 07:33

Neither music nor drama are 'easy' GCSE options timewise.
IMO music GCSE is important for those who may be considering A level music or want to develop composition or as a subject that adds to breadth of experience with some practical creativity as well as the academic component or finally for DCs that really love music but can't access much outside school. If your DS prefers drama, that provides the latter so, unless one of the other reasons for doing music apply, I would advise triple science if he is able enough or another academic subject that increases further options.

sendsummer · 14/02/2017 09:10

Blushmeant f your DS prefers drama, that provides the penultimate reason i.e. breadth with creativity

Lottie4 · 14/02/2017 10:51

So basically it's a choice between music and triple science, my thoughts are.

Is he passionate about music and playing his instrument(s)? Moving forward, if he wanted a career in music then future universities would want more than Grade 6, 7 or 8 in Music, they'd want A level Music. I know this as that's the road my DD is going down. Music and drama could sit well together if he'd be interested in performance or something behind the scenes.

I've heard you can go on to do A levels in a science subject if you've done double science, but look at Sixth Form criteria - DD's school want GCSE B grades in individual subjects and have upped their requirements for other subjects - as they have to stay on in full time education or get an apprenticeship, competition is tough so they'll want the best. DD is under the impression there's a big step up if you do double (this is based on the extra amount of work and knowledge she feels she's gained at this stage).

AlexanderHamilton · 14/02/2017 10:57

Is he good at/enjoys music composition?

Dd chose triple science rather than drama because even though she loves drama & wants a career in the performing arts she doesn't like writing about plays so decided she would just do extra curricular LAMDA exams. However she kept music because she loves the composition/analysis side.

Freddorika · 14/02/2017 11:01

Dd2 sounds very similar. She wants to do double science and music rather than triple science and I am going to encourage her to do so, the music gcse results are very good at her school. She is unlikely to do a science a level and iven if she does double science will be fine.

PurpleDaisies · 14/02/2017 11:01

DD is under the impression there's a big step up if you do double (this is based on the extra amount of work and knowledge she feels she's gained at this stage).

It's a massive step up whether you've done double or triple. Yes, if you've done double you won't have seen some of the content before but if you're prepared to put in some extra work before you start or for the first few weeks it's really not an issue. There are no differences in A level grades achieved by double and triple science students. It doesn't make any difference when you apply to uni either.

Freddorika · 14/02/2017 11:02

She is also doing drama. Drama and music are her passions so may as well study them

Moominmammacat · 14/02/2017 15:23

You can do a music degree at Oxbridge/most RG unis without A level music so I doubt very much anyone would care about GCSE!

RachaelCatWhisperer · 14/02/2017 15:39

Encourage your kids to do subjects they love not subjects that will get them good jobs or grades. They're more likely to pass if they genuinely enjoy the subject and they'll be happier spending their time on something they care about. It's a long way to retirement if you don't love your work.

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