Requesting a different GCSE pathway - what do I need to know from school's point of view?

[TessaTeacake]

DD2's school have six compulsory subjects - Maths, double English, double science, and RE.

Pathway 1, for the most able group, allows her to select either history or geography, and either French or Spanish, plus one free choice.

Pathway 2 allows a selection of history or geography or French or Spanish, plus two free choices.

DD1 has been put on Pathway 1, but really wants to do both music and art instead of geography or history.

School have said I can put my request to them with my reasoning (she wants to work in the arts, she enjoys the subjects much more, she's better at them, and still has a humanity in RE) and they may consider it, but not to hold out much hope. But I'm not sure "what's in it for them" IYSWIM, are they measured on these subjects or something and by asking for the other pathway they'd be marked down? Is this what Progress 8 is?

Just want to make sure I understand!

Thanks.

I was at parents evening last night and I've options night next week and I was thinking the same thing. My dd is also on pathway one and has to do triple science so only gets to choose one option. She would like to do art and drama.

The problem is that schools have to publish how many students get the EBACC so want as many able pupils as possible to do it.

Pathway 1 is Ebacc. Pathway 2 isn't. Either will count for Progress 8.

If DD is adamant and it won't effect setting for English / Maths etc then I'd push for her to do her choice.

Any chance you could suddenly develop an ethical opposition to RE?! It will be about the ebacc, but your school is also choosing to make them do the RE GCSE, which uses up a subject that would be flexible elsewhere. RE has to be taught to this age group. Buy they don't have to sit a GCSE in it.

Thanks Chicken, good idea, but it's a faith school so they wouldn't be happy with that.

I think as we're just asking to change pathway, not asking for something radically different, they should at least consider it - but if they're measured on Ebacc I can understand why they don't want us to.

DD is definitely adamant - she's even picked out the level 3 arts course she wants to do post 16!