Am I right to be angry ??

[Sometimesoon]

My 14 year old chose his GCSE options earlier in the year , because he is in the higher pathway he has to follow the Ebac system , so he gets to choose 2 subject of his choice ( he chose Music and Graphics) . We heard last week he didn’t get Graphics . This is a child who predicted to get 7/8 , has shown consistently good marks in the subject , has a genuine interest in design , has done his work shadowing in the design sector and achieved a good attitude to learning grade from his teachers . This counts for NOTHING . He had been given art instead and we have been told basically, suck it up . His friends who are predicted a 4/5 have got Graphics ( but in a lower pathway ) we have been told everyone's choice goes in the computer and 95% of the pupils will get all their choices. This seems so bloody unfair . He works hard ,achieves good results and now had his career path screwed. Meeting the deputy head ( after chasing for a week) on Monday. Anyone else had this ? Anyone know what the legal requirements are as far as the school is concerned , Class numbers etc ? . Just want to get my ducks lined up before the meeting . Thank you .

Does this school begin with a W OP ??

I never quite understand the opposition to the Ebacc -particularly for parents with high attaining children. Why wouldn’t you want your child to do those core subjects. And for most schools, the ability to get a decent % of Ebaccs is a good measure of academic success.

His career path remained wholly unscrewed.

I never quite understand the opposition to the Ebacc

It has directly led to a decline of arts and tech provision in secondary schools.

bertrand I have actually taught a number of very bright creatives who have eschewed EBacc. It's not just the core : it's at least 6 of their GCSEs. With falling budgets, many schools restrict students to only two or three other choices. And one of those is often 'encouraged' as Science for Triple. My DS does do EBacc but that's because he loves those subjects.

Ebacc is pretty shit and has stifled students following the arts at a higher level.

However OP you need to tell your son the decision isn't personal. It's made by a computer which has no bias. There is literally no fairer way to do it. Choosing options on ability is incredibly unfair on students who won't go on to achieve higher grades. Why should their options be considered behind brighter students?

Nope .

Nope to explaining? Gosh you're like a petulant child. Grow up and learn how to be an effective parent.

I think the nope might be to my question. Although, yes, it was a somewhat terse reply OP!

“Ebacc is pretty shit and has stifled students following the arts at a higher level.”

How?

At school .

Bertrand it's stopped students from choosing (or being allowed to choose) arts based subjects at gcse. They then don't have the qualifications to further study those subjects.

Tight budgets and external Ebacc pressure means all classes need to be full. Cheaper to have 30 kids doing French than 10 doing drama, 10 doing art and 10 doing French. French oik priority as its Ebacc.

Also, Bertrand it is rather cynically playing the game to only insist that the most able in a school do EBacc. Because the government tables don't credit entry to EBacc but the student performance in it.

Thus, the less able are 'directed' towards arts and tech subjects and, thence, the drop off on uptake of this subjects at A Level and then the schools begin not offering them, or again 'guiding' students to take A Levels which are best for their performance tables.. That's the consequence. And it sucks.

Should real post this on EBacc thread but don't want to get into bunfight about MFL which has arrange of problems in schools, none resolved by the EBacc.

Bertrand you always seem so knowledgeable. I am so surprised you don't know this.

Sorry , nope to whether the school began with a W .

I just can’t imagine why anyone would be happy with their child not doing English, maths, a science, a MFL and a humanity if they were capable. Which would you drop?

A level graphic design entry requirements.

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C) or above, including English. One creative GCSE such as Art and Design or Art Technology would be helpful but not essential. Mature students may apply with a portfolio of work for consideration.

Why is saying” nope “to a straight forward question deemed as terse ? What other reply could there be to whether something is a straight forward Yes or No ?

Yes be angry, but please know that not doing a Graphics GCSE will have no effect in his career whatsoever. Nor would not doing A Level. Good GCSE maths grades are better and there isn't a school in the land that wont let him do maths.

Also know that you don't have to have a GCSE in a subject to do A Level or a degree for that matter.

Tell him to turn his frustration into determination. That way he will succeed.

Bertrand on an individual level the Ebacc isn't a bad thing. Naturally a fair few students used to choose it. Now it's a school performance measure, students are forced into (and out of) it. Many schools limit options to 8 subjects now :
English x2
Maths
Science x2 or triple
Humanity
MFL

This leaves only one subject to choose. Or none if you do triple science.

Whichever you didn't enjoy?? It's not 'a science ' by the way ; it's all three.

Unfortunately, MFL does tend to be the casualty but introducing the EBacc has done nothing to rescue the MFL crisis in schools.

And, back at ya, why do they have to be 'capable'? Plenty of students aren't capable. Are you suggesting that those less capable will suddenly miraculously be OK in, say music, or dance ?

RS was inexplicably left out of the humanities, to boot. But Comp Sci and classics were added.

OP. So you are telling us that your DH and contacts had NOTHING to do with DS getting work experience?

The only message it is giving DS is whatever you choose, your are behaving appalling over this from which he will likely take his cue.

If you came to me with that attitude I would stick to my guns even more. Bleating about rewarding his effort is well and good if the selection is effort and/or attainment based. It is not, and the thing with random is that it is just that, so DS learns that sometimes despite your best efforts things don't go to plan. So you reasses and change direction. It's called resilience.

OP perhaps I am being sensitive but in my world nope is a dismissive response and I was actually on your side. You could have said ' No, my school begins with an H in fact', for example.

Sometimesoon because you didn't reference the question you were answering and it appeared to be an extremely terse response to a subsequent question.

“Whichever you didn't enjoy?? It's not 'a science ' by the way ; it's all three.“

No it isn’t.