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Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (18) Well that's all over, let's get the party started

999 replies

Stickerrocks · 23/08/2018 14:17

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3341060-GCSEs-2018-17-What-will-be-in-your-coffee-cup-on-Thursday

OP posts:
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6
BlueBelle123 · 25/08/2018 21:10

twinplusone your DD must of been over the moon with that English result I remember the discussion on whether it was a 1 or a typo!

I agree if she is serious about engineering then she should be doing physics, what is the reason for English is it because she has improved so much or does she genuinely love it?

adrinkofwater · 25/08/2018 21:18

Ellen DDs 6th form also had them do proper AS and I think it was really good as it meant she revised everything from year 12 properly (and those who didn't started working harder from the beginning of year 13). They have stopped AS though now (due to cost) but I think it's definitely an advantage to do them.

TheThirdOfHerName · 25/08/2018 21:21

If any of you have any experience of software that enables students to type maths (algebraic expressions) I would be grateful for your advice on this thread
Thank you.

Oneteen · 25/08/2018 21:28

Callit Do check about FM because I think I remember reading somewhere that if FM is offered at your school/6th form and you are applying to Cambridge they expect you should have taken it...if it is not offered by 6th form/school then its not an issue.

Twin - Just be a bit careful because I think FM and Maths are only accepted as one A level at Uni's not two because they are considered under the same umbrella....so she may not qualify for Uni unless another A level in addition to English is added too (well done to your DD on English)

AChickenCalledKorma · 25/08/2018 21:37

I will just throw in that when I studied at Cambridge, all the Natural Scientists complained that the maths element of the course was really, really hard. So I would imagine that FM is highly recommended even if it isn't strictly speaking a requirement.

TheThirdOfHerName · 25/08/2018 21:38

callitwhatyouwill
Oxford Physics dpt said at the open day that they expect to see FM A-level if the school offers it.

Cambridge NatSci is not the same though because some applicants will be doing Maths / Physics / Biology / Chemistry. On their website there's a list of suitable A-level combinations for NatSci applicants.

eaglefly · 25/08/2018 21:40

Would a AS FM be enough? DD in similar boat. School does offer FM and she would have to drop another subject to fit this in.

TheThirdOfHerName · 25/08/2018 21:42

Advice from the Cambridge NatSci page (presumably written when AS levels were commonly offered in all schools):

The more useful combinations are:

A Level Biology, A Level Chemistry, and AS Level Mathematics or Physics

A Level Chemistry, A Level Mathematics, and AS Level Biology or Physics

A Level Physics, A Level Mathematics and AS Level Further Mathematics

eaglefly · 25/08/2018 21:47

Thanks third

ReservoirDogs · 25/08/2018 22:05

we need mmmzto do a spreadsheet of the Dc's A level choices now!

TerfTerf - Ds is doing Maths, Economics, History and Geography (as they start 4 but will probably drop Geography) plus compulsory EPQ plus enrichment in year 12 too so similar to yours!

PeggyIsInTheNarrative · 25/08/2018 22:16

I was wondering if a spread sheet with our own areas on would be useful? Not our usernames just a list of what we collectively know about.
Then if we have a query we can say, "Please can the person who knows about statistical modelling of butterfly epidemiology PM me?"

Just an example. I am not a butterfly epidemiology statician. But I do know one. Smile

PeggyIsInTheNarrative · 25/08/2018 22:17

Statistician

Twinplusone · 25/08/2018 22:17

Wow Bluebelle123 seriously impressed you remembered that we thought the English mock grade 1 was a typo (it wasn’t!).

Thinking behind English is basically she a) she has come to enjoy it and b) not many other options. All the sciences and most of her option choices ruled out as not high enough grade achieved. She could do Sociology or Psychology but she doesn’t want to. She is also considering IT but doesn’t like the look of the content.

PeggyIsInTheNarrative · 25/08/2018 22:19

Hmm maybe someone could be keeper of the list rather than us sharing it? May be it's not a good idea Hmm

hmcAsWas · 25/08/2018 22:24

Dd is doing Art, Biology and Psychology.

She is convinced that her future career path is as a creative (not drilled down to what precisely yet) so will most likely do a foundation year in Art after A levels, and then a degree in Fine Art. She has argued that she should be allowed to do two creative subjects at A level with business studies; so Art and Photography or Art and Sculpture or Art and Graphic Design plus Business Studies, but I have suggested that this is specialising too early and cutting off her options. I'd like her to have two more typically academic subjects at A level just in case she changes her mind about future career direction - hence the Art, Biology and Psychology proposal. She will be exposed to sculpture, photography etc in any case when she does the post A level art foundation year....

She has accepted my reasoning and she does like (not love) Biology, and thinks she will enjoy Psychology. I wouldn't force her if she was dead set against it

Does my rationale sound okay or is it flawed. Should I give her my blessing to do two creative A levels and Business Studies? (this makes me a tad uncomfortable)

TerfTerf2 · 25/08/2018 22:25

reservoir I look forward to comparing notes with you!

If anyone's making a spreadsheet: I know nothing useful but loads of bits of useless things that together make me sound really clever Grin oh, and I know about wine (properly know, not just in an alcoholic way Grin)

JugglingFromHereToThere · 25/08/2018 22:37

I'd say it depends how strong she is artistically hmc and compared to her other subjects?

If she is talented and wants to pursue art then another art subject such as the photography or product design could complement well.

However I can also see your thinking for a broader, more balanced set of subjects.

It's all quite tricky isn't it!

Definitely a significant time of decision making for many.

PeggyIsInTheNarrative · 25/08/2018 22:45

OK I think I have changed my mind. Now I think if someone wants advice about a very particular thing they should just ask. Then we can either answer on the thread or PM. Just like the rest of MN. Genius.

PeggyIsInTheNarrative · 25/08/2018 22:48

As to A level choices, how can they know at 16? Some will have a clear path but others just won’t know. It’s tough.
I do think you have to at least like the subjects. For medicine you do need to like science etc.

mmmz · 25/08/2018 23:18

Just dropping in, I'm trying to wean myself off Mumsnet but saw my username crop up.

About doing a spreadsheet ... I can, I might even enjoy the work (weird, I know!), but I have always resisted the impulse because, quite honestly, I don't think keeping a record about people is a very nice thing to do. Memory of individual posts is one thing, keeping a record is another.

I could keep it on google sheets and just give everyone the URL.

So, if the majority want a spreadsheet of some kind, then I would do it, but if people didn't want to be on it then I'd fully empathise with that and would leave out anyone who didn't want to be on it.

Your choice.

AlexanderHamilton · 25/08/2018 23:19

Did is doing English Lit, Religious Studies (emphasis on Philosophy & Ethics) & a Dance/Musical Theatre Diploma.

BlueBelle123 · 25/08/2018 23:20

twinplusone the reason I remember is because the English result was really out of kilter with the rest of her results and so we were joking that it was a typo or some other error and when you found out it wasn't I felt awful that I was joking about your daughter's result Blush

hmcAsWas · 25/08/2018 23:23

Thanks Juggling - although she is talented at Art I guess we can't fully anticipate whether she can make a viable career from it as yet, so I guess we should stick with two academic subjects alongside art

LooseAtTheSeams · 26/08/2018 02:07

Hmmm..education isn't about spreadsheets or league tables. I started posting on these threads because dcs were upset about English and that upset me and I wanted to help. If these threads are about exclusivity and league tables rather than inclusivity and diversity I have to bow out.
The last few days have made me uneasy that these threads, while supportive and lovely - and I love you all! - are very exclusive. I'm sorry but talking about TES league tables (aaargh!) etc makes me very uncomfortable.

Cblue · 26/08/2018 02:27

@LooseAtTheSeams - with you there!!!

Personally I have found this group really supportive but I don't give a stuff about who did better than who, not which school did better than which.

2 years time who will even care of remember!!

It's now about the next stage. Which A Levels which be best for which degree or career ? Which selection will be the best to keep options open? How do we motivate them for the next challenge? What's the optimum option for our DC?
And......how can we help and advise each other?

I joined MN because of this thread. If that's no longer the point then count me out.