Year 8 Options

[Sugarhunnyicedtea]

We have to submit choices tomorrow and my son has changed his mind so many times he's now back to square one. English, maths and triple science are compulsory. He's then definitely taking PE as he is gifted and excelling. Has to do either geography, history, French or computer science GCSE then free choice. Leaning towards geography and RE but also considered computer science (either gcse or btec) business studies, photography or film studies. Does anybody have any experience of these subjects that can offer advice?
He's very able and predicted 7 8 or 9 in most subjects with maths being his strongest subject (8/9) after PE

Well, what does he want to do at 16? And at 18? What are his hobbies and interests?

Computing is hard, but if he's good at maths, he'll manage.

At this stage he thinks he will stay at school and do A levels then university. He's not yet 13 and has no idea what career he wants to do. Currently wants to do stock broking but I imagine that will change.

Sorry, hobbies are football, badminton, basketball, athletics and the Xbox. Typical boy

Well, geography teaches a lot of transferable skills, such as data handling, which can apply to all other studies, and re, being an essay-type subject will help with his writing development, and hopefully improve his debating/argument skills- so they're both very useful.
Photography, whilst fun and interesting, would need a large portfolio of work, which would take time away from his sports.

That's a really good point about photography. Thank you. Not something I even considered

Though maybe he could specialise n sports photography?

If he is able and with no fixed career, he should do subjects that keep options open.
So
a) traditional academic
b) include a humanity

You can do CS degree without GCSE or A level.
You can do Business Studies / Economics degree without the GCSE.
I would assume similar is true for Film Studies.

You should look at whether the 6th form A level choices prevent Geog / History without the relevant GCSE. They may permit but they may expect at least one essay subject.

Similarly, if capable and enjoys French, then a language would be more generically helpful than Business/Film/Photography, wouldn't it? (As in with a French GCSE he could then go on to do MFL A levels, including a new language ab initio).

(I think y8 is too early to choose options).

That said, if he does have strong preferences then go with them, perhaps.