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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Geography or Computer Science GCSE?

36 replies

BeachCrow · 09/04/2019 19:43

DS needs to choose by Thursday and Can't decide. He enjoys both subjects but we think he's more likely to get a better grade in Geography and find it easier. He thinks he might want to work with computers but is very unsure. He has been told Computer Sci at A level could be an option without GCSE but it would be hard.

He has to take Maths, English, 3 Sciences, RPSE and 1 language. He wants to take a 2nd language as he is very good at languages (French is his favourite and best subject) which only leaves one option.

I know nobody on the internet can decide for him but wondering if anyone has any advice?

OP posts:

Itsagrandoldteam · 12/04/2019 14:59

I would let him pick the one he enjoys the most, talk through with him what is on the curriculum for both and get him to pick the one he wants to study.

SolitudeAtAltitude · 12/04/2019 14:59

check the schools previous grades.

It's hard to get good IT GCSE teachers, in our school no child got an A or A* in IT (computing) last year, and only one managed to get an A for A-level.

It can be hard subject to get a high grade in.

Saying that, one of my DC chose computing over geography anyway, as he loves it (and hates Geography) but it can be wise to do some research and look at grades.

And yes, there are girls in his class

cricketballs3 · 12/04/2019 17:14

With regards previous grades, just knowing the grades doesn't give a true picture as you won't know the ability of those students.

We have a lot of students who really worked hard for grades 1/2/3 and we were super proud of them. We also suffer from students who shouldn't have opted for CS as they were under the impression it would be playing about on a PC every lesson (much like a lot of students who opt for GCSE PE) as we allowed complete free chouce with no intervention.

This year, we have gone back to 'interviewing' every student. Basically we are going through their option subjects selection to ensure everyone is very clear as to the requirements of each course/specification - we are not 'weeding out' but ensuring that all students are clear that if they have chosen CS it is 100% exam but there is also the 20 hour project that whilst isn't assessed towards their final grade has to be completed and it's not just playing about with python every lesson.
Same for all subjects, e.g. that PE is very science based and it doesn't mean they are just playing sport every lesson

Lara53 · 12/04/2019 18:00

My DS has just finished the Computing GCSE course and and has really enjoyed it. He’s opting for it at A level along with Maths and physics

SolitudeAtAltitude · 12/04/2019 18:17

Lara53, snap!

What does your DC want to do after?

Mine is thinking engineering, but then may want to swap computing for further maths. To be decided when he gets his grades ....

BubblesBuddy · 12/04/2019 23:51

Languages keep options open because you can use them to add to other subjects when applying for a degree. Many universities are struggling to get good MFL applicants. Therefore if you apply for say, History and French, you might be more likely to get an offer from a competitive History course. In employment terms, if DS changes his mind about programming, MFLs can be a benefit in all sorts of jobs. One of DDs friends did Mechanical Engineering with a year at a Grand Ecole in France which is hugely prestigious. Languages do open doors and certainly allow students to have a wider appreciation and understanding of other countries.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 13/04/2019 20:26

I did Geography GCSE and A-Level, went on to do a Geology degree and ended up working in IT. never did IT at school. So either would probably end up being fine but if he is mathematical and logical then computing would probably be an easier option for him as certainly in my day geography was quite a "wordy" essay subject.

can't comment on languages as I was rubbish at them.

Original poster

BeachCrow · 13/04/2019 20:51

Thanks for all the replies. Based on how he's doing so far he'd probably manage a 9 in Geography and the Geography department got excellent results last year. Nobody got a 9 in Computer Science and only one got an 8 so that's swaying us back towards Geography. Also it doesn't seem to rule out Computer Science in the future. Going to try and not think about it for a week or so now before we drive ourselves crazy!

OP posts:

BecStr · 29/09/2020 14:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Decorhate · 29/09/2020 17:41

To give a different view, Ds is very able at Maths but really struggled with Computer Science for some reason (he possibly would have got a D at best if it wasn’t for CAGs. It’s not necessary to have done it to do Computer Science at uni. Most schools around here like them to do History or Geography to be able to claim the Ebacc

HattonsMustard · 29/09/2020 22:14

ZOMBIE THREAD. I am sure the OP's child has chosen by now.

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