DD year 11 - no idea what she wants to do next.

[Fizbosshoes]

DD is year 11. She is bright (predicted mainly 7s and 8s, potentially a 9 in one subject) and has 1 GCSE already. However she doesn't seem to have any idea what she wants to do next.
She is artistic but says most subjects are boring. I can't think of 3 that she shows enough enthusiasm for to pursue at A level. She definitely doesn't want to do maths or sciences.
The school (and it seems the whole town!) is quite high achieving academically and I feel there is an expectation that everyone will do GCSEs - ALevels - university, and especially as she is academically bright i feel that will be the expectation for her.

I am mindful that its been a difficult year (with home learning in year 10) and they are under pressure with up coming mocks that I don't want to put her under more pressure to decide, but equally I don't want her feeling she has to make a rushed decision.

When I was her age I was similarly (although maybe not quite as) bright and did well in GCSEs. I think at that point my teachers and parents would have expected me to go to university. But I found the step up to A levels really challenging and suffered with depression and MH problems, and took some of my A levels in hospital. I decided not to go to university (and have never regretted it) but I know in the back of my mind I think of that period as quite scary and stressful which doesn't help when I want to advise her of all the options and opportunities!

Well she has to stay in some kind of education until she's 18 so it's not as if she can have a year out to find herself like she might after A-levels.
The most sensible way for a child of her ability and with not much vision for her future to spend the next two years is A-levels. If she's arty, do art, photography or textiles and pick a couple of other more academic subjects which will keep doors open if she eventually decides on the traditional university degree route. You can pick by default if you want - cross out the ones she definitely doesn't want to do and pick the least worst of what's left. That's pretty much what DD did.
The school will pressure her to decide but that's only for timetabling reasons. I'd be surprised if there wasn't some capacity for her to swap these nearer the time, when she's had her results, as there will always be kids who don't meet the grades for their selected subjects.

I agree if she's bright she should continue at school and do A levels. She only has to pick three subjects and often schools offer subjects at A level that they don't offer at GCSE, so have you both had a good look at the list of subjects her school offers? If there genuinely aren't three subjects on that list that she could imagine studying in more depth for another two years, are there other schools or sixth form colleges nearby that offer a different range of subject choices? If she's artistic, is that something she might want to pursue after school - going to art college for instance? If so, the range of subjects mentioned above could be a good set of subjects for her. A friend of mine did Textiles years ago and it was really challenging (in a good way, if that's your thing!). Another friend did Art and focused on sculpture and made some amazing things in porcelain. Do you have a parents' evening coming up? Does the school offer careers advice, a careers fair, or help selecting A levels?

When I was her age ..... I found the step up to A levels really challenging and suffered with depression and MH problems, and took some of my A levels in hospital

While I understand your natural concerns about the next phase, don't imbue your daughter with the worries of a teenager from 30 years ago. You're you and she's herself.

The sad fact is that there aren't many "other" opportunities for unsure 16year olds. Btechs and apprenticeships are all very well if you know roughly where you're heading but A-levels will keep more doors open.

Perhaps, as a PP has said, a change of school / a new college might be a good thing and feel more inspiring.

It's probably worth looking into apprenticeships, other college courses , so she can see what is out there

Does her school offer History of Art A level, and might that appeal, alongside one of the art subjects and something else? Any other subjects not offered at GCSE?

I think the problem with some bright kids is that they’re academically capable without necessarily being academically-inclined.

I think both mine are like that. Dd (year 13) who got all 8s and 9s is doing A Levels and will probably do well (predicted As and an A star) but she wants to do Occupational Therapy. She is often made to feel like she should be aiming higher. She’s also bemoaned the fact that she could have done a health and social care BTEC which might have been easier and more relevant to her.

Ds is in year 11 and has already decided he’d like to do more real world subjects so he’s hoping to do a level 3 in food, a BTEC in sport and a Business A Level. He’ll still be able to go to uni if he wants to. Are there colleges near you that offer BTECs - either single, double or triple?

Perhaps you need to see a career advisor. Also find out what her grades were like and then research further education and career options online and make notes. View some local community colleges as well, they should have courses and qualifications that are suitable for your daughter as well.
If she is very good at French, consider something in that area like French. If she is arty, I recommend art. If she is sporty, then a sports qualification will do. The most sensible path going forward based on what I've read is not a levels (they are not the best option for someone who lacks vision etc). I suggest vocational qualifications instead.

Thanks everyone
She wants to stay at her current school and definitely wants to do an art based A level (either art or graphics/product design - possibly both although not sure how manageable the coursework for both would be)

At the last parents eve all the teachers suggested doing "their" subject for A levels because she is reasonable or good at all of them, so that wasn't much help! I will look on the term dates and see if there is any careers talks. She said she had an apt with one careers teacher and the only suggestion they had was graphic design (I think this would be suitable but she didn't seem particularly enthusiastic about it!)