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Secondary education

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Poor choice of GCSE options (help)

32 replies

No37 · 22/03/2017 22:20

DD has finally brought home her GCSE options information. She is on the Ebacc pathway, so along with English x 2, maths double science and French her choices are history or geography, one from art, music, drama and food tech and either Spanish, science, media or RE.

She is capable of doing well in triple science but she wants to do a creative degree and before we received the info, the plan was double science with art and music. She is now talking about media and it has been discussed quite a lot at school about how great it is (she gave a better argument) I've read all the threads on here about media and I've told her no, but I'm now feeling a bit mean.

I know there is no contest between triple science and media but whilst DD is clever, I'm not sure she will give her all in a subject that she doesn't see as important to her future (although she does enjoy science especially chemistry).
Sorry, I know I'm rambling, please reassure me triple science is the way to go or media.

OP posts:
leonardthelemming · 23/03/2017 10:12

It probably doesn't matter that much. As a retired physics teacher I've always encouraged those who are capable to do triple science - if for no better reason than it seems a waste of talent to do otherwise.

On the other hand, I would always support a young person's right to self-determination. Presumably, if she's making her GCSE choices, you DD must be 14 or nearly, so she's at an age where she can picture her future self and wants to make her own decisions as to how to get there. As others have said, you can only advise.

I have no direct experience of media (or media studies). I imagine it could be just as rigorous as any other subject, although I have noticed that it tends to be chosen by less motivated students. Of course, that may be a grossly unfair observation generally but it might mean your DD could find herself in a group who would take the work less seriously. Only she will know if that is likely to be the case.

I do, though, wonder how important any subject (other than English/maths) is at GCSE. As an example, DS2 took only 8 (I)GCSEs (all the school would allow) and then did maths, physics, and music technology at A level. He now has a very senior job in IT/computing despite having never studied it at school.

From your list, it looks as if she could do triple science and music. Would she consider this? irregularegular makes a good point about the amount of coursework many of the less scientific subjects have, and people who are scientifically trained tend to be pretty versatile so she could still end up being creative but with more choice if she took a more scientific route.

And, of course, engineering is one of the most creative subjects there is!

No37 · 23/03/2017 10:44

Continuing to read all your replies. Music was more of a last choice something she enjoys subject rather than needing to do it. The school have a media suite and at least two of the teachers also teach English so I expect the quality will be good.
I'm definitely open to media now and I've told DD we'll discuss it at parents' evening, if any of her teachers are reading this they'll know who I am Grin
She can choose history and geography but I didn't add it to the list as she doesn't want to.

OP posts:
irregularegular · 23/03/2017 11:27

Ah sorry. Thought that was the full set of options given it including a few things your daughter isn't considering.

Also, I forgot to mention, I am an Oxbridge tutor, so that may give my " it doesn't matter, let her do what she wants" stance slightly more credibility than otherwise.

I will confess, however, that I am quite ignorant of more creative education and career paths.

irregularegular · 23/03/2017 11:29

One last point in the other direction. If the school offers both double and triple science, does that mean that generally only the less able to double science, which may affect her experience? Or will there be plenty of other more academic students taking double science with her?

No37 · 23/03/2017 12:13

irregular, my fault as I was trying to be vague, I'm pleased I name changed as I'm sure I've totally outed myself Grin
I have thought about the double science and lesser ability issue and will discuss this at parents' evening. DD is in top stream and two out of three of her friends have not been offered triple science so this needs to be considered.

OP posts:
HPFA · 23/03/2017 18:42

I faced a similar dilemma with DD wanting to do Citizenship GCSE- it just sounds odd! In the end decided that if I forced her to do something else she might rebel by not doing well in that subject.

I did have a look at a revision guide in Waterstones and there's a lot of content - also have to write essays like "Should voting be compulsory" so there will be transferable skills - they also have to run a campaign project which again will give her some useful skills.

I think so long as they have a balanced range of subjects the odd one for pleasure shouldn't do too much harm

Frouby · 23/03/2017 18:54

Have just been through a similar process with dd.

She is doing 10 GCSEs over 3 years. In top sets for everything and expected to do really well. Had a choice between art and drama. Originally always wanted to do drama but art teacher put pressure on her to do art.

I advised to do the course that was least intense and which she most enjoyed. She won't be doing either at A level so it's very much a 'fun' gcse.

The only thing I would say is depending what she wants to do in the future don't discount RE. It's a pretty good subject for developing rational arguements and critical thinking. Dd has to do it as it's compulsory but if she didn't I would be advising she strongly consider it.

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