GCSE Options - RS or Geography?

[Sittinginthesun]

Just thinking this over - bright child, already thinking towards History, Maths and Economics A Level (loves Political History, politics, all things economy based...).

He's got maths, English, triple science, French and history, but needs a final choice.

Not mad about geography, but seems a safe option. Quite taken by the RS syllabus, though, as it has a lot of philosophy and ethics. He is a complete atheist, but loves the ethics/debating side of it.

So... RS, is it a safe choice? Will it be seem as academic as geography? I'm going to speak to the teacher, and look at the stats for his school, but I'm just looking for opinions.

Thanks.

It's definitely just as academic, it's a good choice (so is geography); in this situation, I'd just ask what he prefers

He's got 8 solid GCSEs there.

The other one could be in Pokémon Characters and I don't think it would make much difference.

You're over thinking. No one will blink an eye between RS and Geography.

Atheism/Humanism is now included on the GCSE specs.

The government doesn't consider RS to be a humanity (strangely), and therefore doesn't count towards the EBacc, but it'll be seen just as academic by universities and employers.
They are both quite challenging; in RS there is a lot of quotes and terminology to remember; in Geography there is a lot of case studies to remember and you may have to do your own investigation, depending on the exam board.

I wouldn't take geography unless there's an option to focus on climate change, which seems to fall right within the scope of economics and politics.

Either will be fine, though I am struck by the lack of vocational subject - his other choices are really rounded so he would be fine to choose something more creative - food tech or DT or whatever. I would support any choice to do something he enjoys

RS would fit very nicely I think.
As pp said it isn't considered part of the ebacc but that's irrelevant if he's already doing history.
Most people doing RS will be non-religious, it really is just about the ethics/debating and if he enjoys that he will love it!
Would definitely choose enjoying a subject over Geography just because it seems a safe/academic choice. RS is looked upon as a respectable and academic GCSE too; although most people seem to think it's very easy it's probably a similar level to Geography.
I also think it fits well with future A-levels; religion links very closely with both history and politics.
Good luck deciding!

If you met him, you'd immediately see why he doesn't want to do anything creative/vocational.

We've tried, but not a creative soul, I'm afraid!

In that case definitely whatever he would enjoy most!

Thanks everyone. He's definitely going to consider it. He's just skipped up the stairs, so think it's exciting him, which can only be a good thing!

RS is great. It gives you a good background in logical thinking particularly if you study philosophy/ethics. I still use parts of mine now. It really helped me at university too.

Just wanted to say as an RE teacher how refreshing this thread was to read! I love my subject and it is indeed very challenging - and fun!

Have you considered Computer Science rather than RS? Might fit better with a view to Maths and Economics.

The computer science teacher wants him to take it, but he's not keen. He finds it boring (unlike ds2, who is all about computers and music!).

RS is dd's favourite subject. It was the RS teacher who organised a trip to a model United Nations conference at her school.

He's got 8 solid GCSEs there. The other one could be in Pokémon Characters and I don't think it would make much difference.

^^ This. The subjects you already mentioned will open a lot of doors for him. For the ninth, he should do whatever he enjoys.

Apart from German instead of French, DS3 is doing the same compulsory subjects as your DS. He chose History as his humanity and RS and Computer Science as his free options.

He is very happy with the choices he made; RS and Computer Science are now his two favourite subjects.

I LOVED RS. So much I did it for GCSE, A-Level and a few modules at university. You learn so much about people's cultures, belief systems, philosophy and philosophical arguments, ethical position. It teaches reasoning and logical argument and debate. I loved it.

As said, he's got good solid subjects there. My DD took took geography and RE (not history though), she's passionate about geography but thoroughly enjoyed RE. She's continued with these two subjects at A level. I know there's a lot of talk about having facilitating subjects, but there are plenty of courses out there not needing them for what she's looking to do in the future.

My daughter took RE and loved it, so much so she took it for A level, where it definitely wasn’t a soft subject, and now has a place at Oxford. I’m sure your DS will enjoy it; well taught it is fascinating.

You need to check the RS syllabus and that the teachers take into account the pupils beliefs in the religions that they study.
dd took RS at GCSE and did well in it, but the school chose options for Christianity and Islam (one exam paper for each) which didn't suit pupils of other faiths or those with no religious beliefs.

I wouldn't take geography unless there's an option to focus on climate change, which seems to fall right within the scope of economics and politics.

there are lots of other topics in geography that would also fall within that scope:
globalisation
urbanisation
fragile environments
hazards and the impacts on low income and high income countries/areas etc

Climate change is just one (although obviously important) topic that seems to be in the public eye at the moment.

Catslife - the new RE GCSE studies Christianity, one other religion (most schools do Islam or Judaism) and atheist/humanist beliefs. Teaching every possible belief or view isn't possible but pupils can include their own beliefs in answers providing they have the knowledge to do so.

Why are all schools so different... My DD1 has to do GCSE RS, it's a compulsory subject... and she could only do either History OR Geography, but could have done one of them as a one year course... She didn't have to do a language.
The options have all changed again tho so will be different again when DD2 chooses hers...

My DD1 took RS GCSE a year early (school policy) but this year will sit Geography and Economics GCSEs - she tells me that the Human Geography part of the syllabus sits very well with Economics. In her recent mocks she commented that she has to be careful when answering Human Geography questions not to veer off into Economics too much. She endured RS but enjoys Geography.