GCSE option decisions....

[AdventureTravelDreamer]

DD is about to choose her options. She has 7 subjects that she has no choice over (Maths, English x 2, Science x 3 & RE as faith school) so she has three choices. But she is struggling to decide between French, Art, Geography and Music. French is pretty much a definite so really it's between the other 3.

I have told her that it's her decision but not to rule out doing both Art & Music. Anyone got any experience of DC doing two creative subjects? For what it's worth she is very good at Art (teacher keeps talking about Art college to her) and is working towards Grade 5 violin at the moment.

I did music GCSE and 40% of the marks were composing. If that is still the case, and she's not a gifted composer, I'd do geography. She can continue her music outside school.

Thanks for all the replies. She doesn't have to submit her decision until the end of the month but after a day at school she has come home saying she is going with French, Art & Music. She has read through the thread and I have told her to just be realistic about the time element involved in art but she thinks it will be manageable as she can go to the art studios at lunchtime and for 1 hr a week after school too (she already does the after school session) Her best friend is also taking art so she feels like she won't be missing out on the social side by spending some lunchtime in art.

And re music she likes the composing element and her teacher said he will record them as many times as they want for the performing element. Apparently a couple of years ago he recorded one lad playing the same drum piece 32 times until the had a recording he was happy with!!

I did GNVQ art (what happened to GNVQs?) I remember I was so bogged down with the work and it just felt like a burden at times but I did enjoy some parts of it. My son doesn't enjoy art so has chosen to do Drama which has come to a big surprise to me but having gone to our schools option night I think he is making the right choice.

Sounds like a good mix. For music I'm pretty sure it's now 30% of the marks for composing (and another 30% for performing).

@JemSynergy GNVQs finally died out in 2007, being replaced with BTECs. I'm sure they'll be back in time.