Is this a poor combination of A levels

[Comefromaway]

English Lit
Drama
Film Studies

Child thinks she would like to be a drama teacher in the future. Doesn't like maths & science. Is very hard working but has no confidence in her abilities. GCSE predictions 4/5 in sciences 6/7 in maths & language 7/8 in English & essay subjects. Doing history GCSE but doesn't enjoy it. Gets very anxious about not being good enough.

TheSun After GCSE it is only their selected subjects. (So in England most children stop Maths after GCSE.)

(Scotland have a different system or 'Highers' that I don't know about.)

@TheSunIsStillShining

Can I piggyback and have a question on a tangent?

Are kids actually learning non selected subjects (in this case science, math,etc) between gcse and A levels? Or after Gcse it's only their selected subjects?

Some colleges (such as the one my son attends) include Core maths and literacy as part of their programme but most places don't.

In practice due to covid measures this hasn;t actually happened this academic year.

My DDs went to an independent school with drama scholars. It took drama very seriously and still does. Girls got excellent grades in drama because it was very well taught. It frequently isn’t well taught in schools because it’s not seen as a worthy subject. All DDs drama teachers had professional acting experience. They taught drama because they had moved on from their stage career. The Head of Drama possibly didn’t act professionally but the whole team were amazing. So the best jobs are in the independent schools I think. Facilities are better and dc don’t mess about so much. If you have schools that know the time of day re drama then why not ask them about subject combinations for drama/teaching degrees? I do know lots of DDs did English lit and Drama A level at DDs old school but they didn’t offer Film. So girls would have done a more diverse third A level. However girls went to Cambridge to do English with a Drama A level as well. It complements very well. I cannot see what’s wrong with film for her career choice.

Thank you for the clarification.

Not sure what people have against film studies. They sound like a complimentary selection which reflect her interests and ambitions.

That sounds like an absolutely fine combination of A levels to me!

She's an A*/A student in English and easy subjects from OPs original post.
Another essay subject instead of film studies?
Just to keep options open?
Is she going to a college where she can start on 4 and then drop one in L6?

Essay not easy 🙄

When DS1’s maths grade wasn’t high enough for Psychology he did Sociology as his essay subject. Might that be an option?

Do film studies as a fourth A level.
Add history as the third.

She doesn't enjoy history so there is no way she will want to study it at A level.

Four A levels is not an option anyway.

I did suggest sociology to her. She was a bit unsure as I don;t think she really understood what it is.

It doesn't help that open days can't be attended in person.

@TheVanguardSix

Do film studies as a fourth A level. Add history as the third.

Absolutely don't do this.

English lit, drama and film are completely 100% fine.

My dd was very good at history and reluctantly chose it for A level along with RE ( whatever they call it now) and film studies and found the A level far more enjoyable than gcse and did very well, worth bearing in mind?

I'd just have a double check of the college results for those subjects and if they are good then encourage her to do what she enjoys. You can read Film at some extremely good Russell Group universities, it's not an absolute doss.

I think that sounds fine. I know someone who did very similar A-levels who's now a solicitor.

Yes apparently a large proportion of lawyers studied Drama A level

Interesting that 4 Alevels is not an option. Back in 2004 when dd chose she was forced to do 4, but allowed to drop one ( she dropped English as to her surprise she was enjoying history more) which was great as even as a fairly academic kid( 10 As at gcse) she was finding it way too much. I hope they've stopped pushing the 4 Alevels idea, esp as she found all her unis were only going to judge her on her 3 highest A level scores, the 4th being pretty much redundant.

Since the A level reforms most schools and colleges have realised that quality is better than quantity and apart from the very very highest acheivers do 4 (the exception is often maths and further maths). EPQ's are pushed a lot instead.

My view is these A-levels are fine for someone who genuinely wants to pursue drama or literature.

Certainly Film Studies is not universally well regarded. If they would consider something other than Film Studies, that was more versatile, I would think that would be better.

But I would never encourage a young person to do something they don't want to do over something they really feel motivated to do.

I agree look at entry requirements for degrees. This really impacted one of my children's decisions - and it felt better than me just giving my own opinion. That's just more info helping them reach their own decision.

Absolutely fine combination for her chosen possible career.

MN is so snobby and assumes everyone is heading for Oxbridge, Durham or Bristol!

DS had three 'arts' A levels, no facilitating subjects, and got straight offers from all the top 20 Russell Group unis he applied for!

Would politics be an alternative though perhaps? A lot of theatre/drama has political overtones.

People have always misunderstood what “facilitating” subjects actually meant! To be clear: it was a group of subjects that kept more options open for a broader range of subjects at university. There is no problem with studying subjects that are “narrower”. Art, music, drama, all fit into this but all are offered at RG universities where there is no need for a facilitating subject. The universities would want Art, music and drama A level first and foremost! It also very much depends on university and course.

The main subject for the ops DD is Drama. She wants to teach it eventually. Film studies is good enough for this ambition. If her ideas change, then she’s limited herself a bit but English, Film Studies, American Studies, Sociology, and lots more courses are still available. Just not History, Geography, Sciences or MFL!

Certainly Film Studies is not universally well regarded

Mumsnet makes me really cross sometimes.

And fgs, 2004 was 16 years ago. It's totally unnecessary to do 4 A levels now, they are more difficult anyway!

She hasn't limited herself AT ALL with those A levels, unless she wants to do medicine or something in STEM!

How on earth would those A levels limit her? If she got 3 x.As she could get into any RG uni to read English Lit for a start! Not that she wants to do that.

@MrsMiaWallis

Certainly Film Studies is not universally well regarded

Mumsnet makes me really cross sometimes.

And fgs, 2004 was 16 years ago. It's totally unnecessary to do 4 A levels now, they are more difficult anyway!

It's not. I don't think that's right, but it is a fact that people will treat it differently to e.g. French or Maths.