GCSE Options

[SunshineAndSmile]

DD will have to choose GCSE subjects in the next few months. As yet she has no idea what she wants to do in the future. I would appreciate any advice from those that have been through this or thoughts from others making choices this year. How do you choose the right subjects to keep all options open? My feeling is that it best to go with what she is good at and enjoys.

TIA

My daughter started off by crossing off all the ones she hated (art type subjects) and then kept crossing off subjects until she was left with the 4 (the number of choices she was allowed) she disliked the least! It worked out OK for her.

I told my children to make two lists, the first of the subjects they enjoy, the second of the subjects they get the highest marks and do well in. I suggested they chose subjects from the top of the lists, and luckily the subjects were similar. We had to chose four, so I suggested one fun/practical/time consuming and three exam/essay, but that ratio is because mine suit exam/essay subjects. It helped break it down for them. We also went through the list and crossed out all the No Way subjects, which also made it easier!

We have a compulsory core, which provides the basis to keep many options open: maths, 2xEnglish, sciences, a language. They then have to choose one humanity. If triple science that left two choices, double then 3, of all other subjects offered inc further a language and humanities.

The school advised against doing more than one subject with a heavy portfolio/performance element, but it was allowed.

My tuppence h'apworth is that 'one for fun' matters : it is important that they follow their interests in the last couple of choices.

Generally by the time they have been given those that they don't get to chose they already have a rounded eduction.

Generally schools make them do
Maths, 2 x English, Science (x 2 or x 3) and a MFL.
Some even then ask for a humanity such as Geography or History.

My son chose both of these and then did the "don't want to do" cross outs until he was left with his other choice.

It is hard to go "wrong" as such at gcse level and the harder choice comes at A level (if they are good all rounders).

Ooh AuntStella got there just before me!

Ours have to do Maths, English, Double Science, RE so we figured that was pretty much a good grounding and let him take what he enjoyed.

I like Phunt's idea though, I may do that with the next one

Thanks all for your replies. I think they do Maths, English, Science and RE as core subjects. She is keen on possibly history, a language and possibly PE at the moment and unsure about what else to do. Does anyone know much about PE as a GCSE and what this involves?

The lists are a good starting point. I think we will be able to narrow down the final choices from here.

Don't know how much PE they do if they take it as an option but my DS has just one hour a week of PE.

My son did PE . 40% I think is theory - sort of biology, sports science. 60% I think is practical - they have to choose 4 sports such as swimming, tennis, badminton, trampolining etc and 15% each so need to be quite sporty to do very well. They have a practical assessment in each sport.

The school can give you more info about PE, and really what all is involved with each GCSE option. The last time we looked it was 60% theory & 40% practical (they are assessed at 3 or 4 specific sports). The theory, a lot of that is nutrition & sports science. I would have loved any of my DC to be keen.

My DS had to pick 2 Eng, 3(or2) Sci, Maths, 1 Humanity, 1 MFL and 1 'creative' (Art/Music/Drama/Design+Technology/Computing(!)).

Once he'd done that, I thought it was a pretty rounded selection already, so I let him pick his favourites to fill the final slots.

The PE spec has changed - there is more theory (mainly human biology) and the list of sports which can be offered for assessment has been pruned. Performance is 40% of the mark (AQA) and you show 3 sports (drills, skills and overall effect).

If you google for 'GCSE PE spec' plus the name of the exam board, you should find the current version your school does.

Yes to everything that has been said.
I definitely wouldn't recommend doing drama AND art - too much.
Our school didn't insist on geography or history but I don't agree with that and almost everyone did one or both. Geography was really good - ds loved it.

Ah I got it round the wrong way ! 60% theory and 40% practical.

My DD has just finished her GCSEs. Drama is very heavy work wise as there is so much critical analysis to do. My DDs best subject is English and she is most likely going to to study it at uni but still found the critical writing/essays heavy going from a work load point of view. Other more maths/science based friends found it very tough going.

You also have to put together a performance and have no idea who is going to be in your group which can be frustrating although a good life experience when you have to work closely with people you don't know well!!

Good luck - it's a hard few years but exciting!

DD (now yr11), one of her BFFs did art GCSE & was up late seems like every night doing work for it, all yr long. I know b/c many mornings the BFF copied homework off of DD, just couldn't keep up with English otherwise.

Our school requires Maths, 2 English, 3 Sciences, 1 MFL, 1 Humanity and 2 free choices. So there really isn't much room for choosing!