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Secondary education

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Original poster

Are 8 GCSES enough?

53 replies

Janevaljane · 03/10/2020 09:26

DD is currently studying for 9 GCSES (the school recommends 10 maximum). English x 2, maths, history, French, RS, double science and 3d design.

She's really not enjoying 3d design at all and regrets choosing it. She's going to give it until half term and then make a decision.

If she drops it, she'll only be doing 8 gcses and I just wanted to check if that will affect her later. She's a diligent student and working at a solid 7 in most subjects (apart from maths where shes a 4/5).

Thank you!

OP posts:
Malmontar · 03/10/2020 10:11

All students who need learning support at my DDs school do 8. It's quite common from what I saw when looking around schools so I shouldn't think it would disadvantage her. Is she in Y11?
I made the same mistake as her and quickly realised just how much of the design stuff you have to do! Not much actual making. I was Y10 though so switched to art.

Itsagrandoldteam · 03/10/2020 10:29

I would say that for most kids 8 gcses is more than enough. My son's 6th form entry requirements are 5 gcses at level 5 or above, but there are different rules for each subject, to study maths at a level you need a 7, to study economics you need a 6 in English and maths.
You need to look at what your DD wants to do next and what the entry requirements are, most colleges and 6th forms only require 5 good gcse passes. Any future employer will not care at all if she only has 8 gcses instead of 9.

choosername1234 · 03/10/2020 10:35

Will the school just let her drop it? What would she do in the allocated timetable slot instead?

Original poster
Janevaljane · 03/10/2020 10:40

Thank you. I presume she'd do prep in the slots. I've asked the school if its possible but also that she hasn't made a final decision. She's year 10.

She loves the actual making but she doesn't like the teacher Hmm or doing the portfolio. I think she was embarrassed as she spent a long time working on an artist's study and the teacher pointed out in front of everyone that she'd used her book portrait and it was supposed to be landscape Confused which she understands is important as its design but she is quickly realising she isn't an 'artist' and she is going to struggle.

She really enjoys essay subjects and is quite good at those.

OP posts:
titchy · 03/10/2020 10:42

I'd be surprised if the school let her drop it and have gaps on her timetable tbh. She'd surely be expected to replace with another subject in that option slot.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 03/10/2020 10:45

No, I don't think so titchy, they can do prep in blank slots (private school).

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TheMarzipanDildo · 03/10/2020 10:48

I think she was embarrassed as she spent a long time working on an artist's study and the teacher pointed out in front of everyone that she'd used her book portrait and it was supposed to be landscape

You’ve just brought back some horrible memories from my art gcse!

Original poster
Janevaljane · 03/10/2020 10:52

lol sorry dildo Grin

It sounds petty but she's normally very resilient so it clearly really meant something. I'll wait to hear what the school say. Having had two already off to uni I would say 8 x 7s probably far better than 9 x 5s 6s and 7s, but who knows.

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pointythings · 03/10/2020 18:59

I would think 8 x 7 and up would do, but it doesn't leave space for anything to go wrong. On the other hand doing a subject they're hating isn't going to lead to good grades either - it's a conundrum.

DD2 did 10 GCSEs (but that did include triple science) and got 6677777889, but it was a real stretch and she worked incredibly hard - perhaps too hard.

AuntyPasta · 03/10/2020 19:05

It might be better for her to stick with 8 and spend the spare time getting extra support with her maths.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 03/10/2020 19:11

AuntyPasta that's a great suggestion and I will talk to the school

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pointythings · 03/10/2020 22:08

I agree with AuntyPasta - boosting maths is pretty much always worthwhile. The new GCSE is bloody hard.

ChanklyBore · 03/10/2020 22:13

I did 12 and always felt it was too many. I feel I could have achieved more in some crucial subjects if I’d been able to drop one or two. I did very well in many and fine in the rest (old alphabet system and my grades ranged A*-C) but I’m not sure you can just drop things? I have a child at gcse level now and selecting options so interested in how it all works

LethargicLumpOfLockdownLard · 03/10/2020 22:16

Our secondary school everyone does 8, some do 9 if taking triple science. Initially I was surprised, as my first secondary school I was doing 12 or 13 and I assumed it was the same these days. I actually took 4 gcses due to personal circumstances and despite needing to take a 5th as an adult in order to go to university, 5 was all I needed. No one needs more than 5, so 8 is plenty.
Better 8 good grades than 12 mediocre ones. Even better if they enjoy the subjects!

Ginfordinner · 03/10/2020 22:27

Is she only doing Engish language? Not Engilsh literature as well?

Original poster
Janevaljane · 03/10/2020 22:34

English Lit and English language

OP posts:
Pipandmum · 03/10/2020 22:50

It will be fine. A number in our (private) school dropped English Lit so they could concentrate on fewer exams and hasn't affected their choices. Five is the key number, including English Language, math and a science. You can go on to study to be a school teacher with those! After that it's just what A levels your child is interested in.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 03/10/2020 22:58

I looked into this last year as DD has fairly severe dyslexia and I didn't want to end up with a school that insisted that everyone sit 10+ GCSEs.

It was interesting that some fairly academic private boarding schools had the option for children with SEN to only take 7 GCSEs and spend the allocated slots for subjects 8 and 9 having intensive maths or language help so that they could improve their scores in the 7. The majority of their kids were aiming at Oxbridge/RG universities - they weren't schools that are known for being good for SEN to the extent that they have a high proportion of applicants with those difficulties.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 03/10/2020 23:37

Thanks. She doesn't have any SEN. She just hates 3d design and it seems utterly pointless. Not a huge amount of choices in that slot. Art, 3d design, food tech or drama. None of which appeal.

OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 03/10/2020 23:52

My apologies @Janevaljane. I misread your first post.

pointythings · 04/10/2020 11:26

DD2 did drama and she chose it because all the other options were shite. It turned out to be a bit of a revelation: boosted her confidence, helped her cope better with social interactions, improved the way she presented herself in situations where she needed to get a point across. It was definitely the best option for her. However, it does depend on having a really good teacher.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 04/10/2020 12:15

I think Drama would be brilliant for her. But the teacher is quite marmitey. I might suggest it. She did really well in it in year 9

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Ginfordinner · 04/10/2020 14:00

Drama involves group work. Getting a good grade in drama is very dependent on how much weight the others are pulling as well.

pointythings · 04/10/2020 14:41

Ginfordinner that is true, but the flipside of this is that it really teaches leadership skills. DD2 got the two dossers in her group onside and pulled up to scratch and learned an enormous amount of assertiveness in the process.

It is worth remembering that Drama isn't an easy option. There's a strong academic component to it as well, involving the study of methods, staging, lighting etc. But it does round a student, especially if the rest of their GCSEs are all hardcore academic, as is the case with your DD.

Original poster
Janevaljane · 04/10/2020 15:15

@Ginfordinner

Drama involves group work. Getting a good grade in drama is very dependent on how much weight the others are pulling as well.
That's exactly why she didn't do it. Dd2 had a nightmare with her group just not bothering to learn the lines
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