Was there any point in picking options?

[reddA]

Sorry, I'm probably over reacting but DS is in year 8 and we chose options from 3 different blocks of subjects earlier in the year.

He chose Geography, Graphic Design and Triple Science. He has received his subjects for September and has been given History instead of Triple Science. The Deputy head has told me that Science now clashes with Graphic Design as they have changed the option blocks.

I asked if he could do Science instead of Graphic Design as it was much more important to him - he's currently amongst the top in the top set and it is his best subject. I was told the class was full so no.

Not sure what to do now, we are happy to change any of the subjects if he could do triple science so it's not like we're being completely obstinant! It's not really a GSCE he could do outside of School either as far as I'm aware - unless anyone knows if he could?

It's annoying that he was never going to get his 3 options anyway as 2 were in the same block without us knowing so would have clashed regardless.

Sorry for the ramble, just a bit pissed off

That's excellent news OP.

reddA. Stay calm. They obviously have loads of space in Graphic D and History! Be persistent, firm and very, very polite. Plan your course of action and get letter writing to the Head teacher (not Deputy) stating that you require DS to do Triple Sci. Tell them he is shocked that they have not offered him Triple Sci. Quote his previous excellent scores in science subjects, in top set, etc. Say it is affecting him, not sleeping, lacking appetite, possible? emotional state. Go for the pastoral care angle if you have to. Explain this affects the A levels he wants to do. Research some science type careers that you could tell them he is interested in. Basically - just pile on the pressure. If they still don't budge then write to the governors, in good time before summer hols asking for a prompt reply. Keep it formal if you can - phonecalls can be emotional (from the parent end) and there is no record of what is said. Good luck.

reddA. - Yikes, I missed a page out when reading this thread and posted above! Anyway, I don't care - very, very pleased that you got it all sorted. A lesson for all we parents to watch what the schools offer our DCs as they can make obvious human mistakes or assumptions. This is what the funding shortage does to our DCs future career prospects!

Something similar happened to me. I needed physics to get into uni but it clashed with another option I had picked so they moved me to chemistry and physics was full.

My mum complained and the school taxied me to another school to do physics.

Great news, well done OP. Shame on the school for not getting the relevant subject teachers to glance over who had selected each option. That would have avoided this whole mess.