Advice reg GCSEs choices (ICT or Classics)

[Kerry987]

DD has to choose her GCSEs subjects next week. She initially thought she will do DT, Geography, French and ICT; however she is now having doubts about ICT and is considering Classics instead. She asked me for advice; I did not grow up in the UK and feel unable to provide advice. I think she has to study something she enjoys, she now thinks she is not sure how good she is at ICT, they also said there was at least 30% of independent study so I think that put her off; she also said her ICT teacher is not the best.

How does this impact her A level and future university choices?

She is very creative and her favourite subject is DT, I see her pursuing a career in graphic design or something similar.

I would be grateful for any advice.

At GCSE, I think one of the most important things is to do something she will enjoy. I think the ICT will be a BTEC rather than a GCSE, but that will make no difference to any further study; it just means that some of the course is via work produced during the course. Many students prefer that as it takes pressure off the final exam, and means they have less revision to do!

Assuming she is also studying the usual maths, English and science it really doesn't matter which she chooses.

The general advice is to do subjects you enjoy at GCSE - they tend to have very little significance (provided you pass the standard English, maths, etc.) once you reach the next stage of higher education.

There is no ICT GCSE so it likely to either be a Btec or a GCSE in Computer Science (which is quite hard and very mathsy)

She should definitely do the subject she thinks she will enjoy the most.

Thanks. She will be doing all the other subjects too. I told her to think about it and read a bit more over the weekend. I did say she needs to choose something she enjoys as It is difficult for me to say as I am not the one sitting the exam.

I think it is GCSE in Computer Science. She is bright and does well at maths but not sure she will enjoy it.

Classics will be a bit of a mixture of history and literature.

Thank you. The Tittle meant to say: Computer Science or Classical Civilisation GCSE

DS did comp science and in the end it was perhaps one of his least favourite GCSEs. I recall when he got his results (he got a 6) he was pleased as he thought he'd scraped a 5 maybe.

So not that easy overall (for context, DS is doing maths A level so he does like maths!). Also he said there were hardly any girls doing it (I have heard this elsewhere too) in case that's a consideration (not saying it should be btw).

Classical civilisation is sort of a cross between English and History, I guess. So lots to read, digest and write about.

Computer Science is about how computers work and will include at least some computer programming. I'd say it's more suited to those who have good analysis and problem solving skills.

From what you've said, neither is screaming out as a better fit. She needs to read through the course information properly (don't assume she knows what is included). Ideally it would be good to talk to an older student who is already studying one to find out what it actually involves.

Thank you. She is reading about both subjects and is talking to her friends who have older siblings. Hopefully she will make the right choice.

How does her GCSEs results impact the A levels as She may be moving to a different school for Six Form.

Sixth forms generally have minimum entry criteria for students to take A Levels (e.g. it might be 5 GCSEs at Level 4 including maths and English at a less selective sixth form or 6 GCSEs at Level 6 at a more selective one). Then there are normally specific criteria for individual subjects. You are likely to have to get at least a 5 at GCSE to take a subject for A Level. Many schools will ask for at least a 6 at GCSE for maths A level. More selective schools will ask for higher grades e.g. a 6 or a 7 to go on and study a subject at A Level. If you're wanting to take a subject at A Level that you don't have to take the GCSE first, the entry grades will normally be linked to a similar sort of subject e.g. for A Level Law there might be a minimum grade for GCSE English.

Thank you.That is very helpful

Actually OP IME many non-selective schools ask for a 6 at GCSE for A-level subjects. Not that I assume she is thinking of either of these for A level.

My kids' school is just a regular local comp and they are very unkeen to let students with a 5 do A level unless there is some reason (unexpected poor performance in the exam, for example).

MFL is my subject and I would look for a 7 or a surprising 6 (ie I thought they would get a 7). Often similar for maths.

Look at the syllabuses with her (you’ll need to know the board) and flick through a past paper to get an idea of how her time will be spent.

Also, does your school provide info on results by subject - always worth a look as this could flush out whether the course is badly taught or attracts mostly weaker pupils.

There are universities that look at gcse results as part of the entry process. The top ones with competitive courses certainly do.

Lots of selective 6th forms want 7s at gcse. So it depends what 6th form she’s looking at. As someone who is creative, why isn’t she doing Art? That’s the obvious one. Computer Science and Classical Civ are not creative. Art is better with DT and gives her options for 6th form and more creative degrees.,

I've had DSs who have done both of those subjects:

DS1 - GCSE Computer Science - although he is very geeky/maths he found it very dull and theoretical about systems etc, rather than much coding etc also at that point there was a big project which he hated (although that may have disappeared now). He went onto A level Computer Science which was much better.

DS2 - Did Classical Civilisations and loved it. Very interested in history, archaeology, myths and legends, Pompeii, Olympics. Was a really interesting and varied syllabus.

Neither of these will impact her A level and future university choices.
She should choose what she thinks she will most enjoy.
Personally, from what you've said, I'd recommend ClassCivs.

Oh, I've just seen you said she is very creative - I'd definitely recommend ClassCivs then. It's a much more visual subject. DS2 also considered a career in Graphic Design, but switched to another creative subject.

She should definitely be doing art if she's interested in graphic design (I have a degree in it) as she should do art A level.

Thank you for all the advice.

I am thinking she is going to find Computer Science boring; I am glad she is having doubts about it before she makes her choices.

She was invited to study Art & Design as the teacher said she got talent for it, but she said another friend was also invited so She thinks they may have emailed a few people as it was not very popular.

She likes creating things and drawing but does not enjoy visiting galleries or learning about past Artist. She just like the creative part of it not the history of it.

Anyway I do think Art may be complementary of DT. But She may also enjoy Classical Civilizations.

So if I understand well A level, She will need a 6 or 7 for the subjects she decides to study but not for all the 11 subjects she is taking at GCSEs?

OP yes that's correct, you can still study A levels even if you gain lower grades in some GCSEs, as long as they are not the subjects you want to study further. You need to get at least a 4 and in some schools a 5 in maths and English language (or literature, sometimes).

I agree with others actually, if she does want to pursue graphic design then art would be helpful. But is that what she wants?

Thank you. I have been reading a bit more about A levels so I understand it more now.

She does not know what career She wants to study yet. She is very creative so I see her studying a creative subject like Graphic Design or something similar, but she may decide to do something different as She still has 4 years of secondary school left.

@Kerry987

Thank you. I have been reading a bit more about A levels so I understand it more now.

She does not know what career She wants to study yet. She is very creative so I see her studying a creative subject like Graphic Design or something similar, but she may decide to do something different as She still has 4 years of secondary school left.

That's fine but if she does want to do something creative, then not doing art GCSE would close doors as I understand it (not really my area of expertise). The important thing with GCSE choices is not to close doors - so don't drop food tech if you want to go into catering. I might look again at art or at least the GCSEs and A levels required for creative subjects.

Art has lots of different avenues within it. If you look at what is required for a portfolio for a graphic design degree, lots of the possible options are art based. It’s how students express ideas.

Regarding the history side of art, it’s always important to refer back to the past and learn from it. It’s often used as a base for working up new ideas. It’s difficult for DC to understand this at 14. I would also say ping to design galleries is vital. This informs students of great design and is something to aspire to. So try and get her interested in great designers and their work.

Also Kingston, which is one of the best for GD, like students to have done an Art Foundation first. It’s their preferred entry route. So not doing art closes doors I think.

Art is the most popular option at DD's school! DD is taking GCSE art - it is notoriously time consuming which she actually doesn't mind as she (mostly) enjoys it. She also does (different) art in her spare time. She finds some of the theory stuff dull, but at the same time it has opened her eyes to other types of art that she wasn't really aware of. DT and art together would be a fair bit of coursework though.