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Secondary education

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Original poster

Dropping a GCSE, non core subject?

32 replies

Goldenbear · 31/01/2023 13:47

As thread title states, my DS is really struggling to produce the work needed for music GCSE. He has a medieval composition to complete for coursework which is proving problematic as we don't own the £2000 software and he's only a couple of hours a week after school to use it to finish the piece. He feels that the work involved is 3 x that of other subjects and it is taking away from his efforts and revision for other subjects. For example, he is in top group for all core subjects and has been put in for the triple science GCSE but after a couple of mocks before Christmas (more to come after half term) he dropped to a 4 for Chemistry and the teacher has said it isn't good enough and unless he improves this 4 in February mocks he will be moved down and won't be able to sit the triple science. He feels that music and his lack of progress with the subject is demanding a disproportionate amount of his time and he can't afford to devote half term to the composition (music teacher suggested we download the free trial of software but we only have chrome books, could probably by a laptop but it seems excessive considering). He wants to quit it as that would still leave him with 9 GCSES, does anyone know if this is possible at this stage? After the science teacher's dressing down, he was actually called out of the classroom to be told off about that and she said he wasn't working hard enough, he is getting visibly stressed. He never ever gets this upset and is very laid back but I am worried about him. He really dislikes school at the moment and he used to like going, he can't wait for 6th form college.

I would imagine the school will say no but has anyone successfully done this, any advice would be much welcome.

OP posts:
ChicCroissant · 31/01/2023 13:58

My DD is taking GCSE music and doing the same coursework - we don't own the software either, if she needs extra time she uses it one lunchtime a week. DD certainly doesn't find that it's taking up as much time for her as your son does OP, it is a very stressful time for them with the exams fast approaching - do you think it could be general stress rather than that specific subject that he's worried about?

My DD is still working on the same piece, not that it's much consolation! I doubt you'll be able to drop the subject, but if he feels it is taking up too much time I'd speak to the teacher and encourage him to focus on the subjects he feels more strongly about (like the Science, if he likes that).

Skiphopbump · 31/01/2023 13:59

Dropping music seems very reasonable in the situation you describe.

Original poster
Goldenbear · 31/01/2023 14:06

ChicCroissant, thanks for that insight, it is useful to get a comparative perspective, is your DD quite a competent musician? I am unsure if DS has bitten off more than he can chew with Music. When I was at school and studying GCSES (mid 90s) I wasn't allowed to take music as I was only at Grade 7 for the Cello. DS was probably grade 4 at the start in Guitar, he needs the teacher's help with the software so that's another issue.

Skiphopbump, I'm hoping if I spoke to the school they will feel the same but I suppose it sets a precedent so likely to say, 'no'.

OP posts:
Original poster
Goldenbear · 31/01/2023 14:08

Yes, to general stress he is not a boy that cries at all and his teachers say he is so laid back he is horizontal but he looked weepy this morning.

OP posts:
ChicCroissant · 31/01/2023 14:25

IIRC, the school wanted ability around Grade 2/3 on an instrument for GCSE so not expecting Grade 5 theory or anything like that, and that's mainly because you have the option of higher marks in the performance element for higher grade pieces. Her solo piece is probably around a Grade 4, not sure about the ensemble piece. DD has done some music theory before but had not tried any composition and it's 30% of the course (performance is another 30% as well) so it is a new element for a lot of people, I think. She's certainly not Grade 7, I can't believe they wouldn't let you take music with that!

I know we have recently been looking round sixth forms and colleges, and that the pressure is really on for the Y11s just now. The teachers keep reminding them of how close the exams are, and they have extra lessons, both after school and in the upcoming half term. I'd have folded under that kind of pressure myself tbh. I would speak to the school (either the music teacher and/or the head of year) to say that he's finding it hard to fit it all in, I don't think telling him to work harder is very helpful of the Science teacher! My own DD is pretty monosyllabic at the moment, I'm keeping a careful eye on her.

minisnowballs · 31/01/2023 15:31

I think it's a really stressful time for music GCSE - DD1 is also in music composition hell- compounded in her case by the fact they didn't have a music teacher for a year during Covid. She has grade 5 theory and is about grade 6/7 and it's still tough.

But I think it is a pinch point and once this composition is out of the way it will all feel better (it's just front loaded because of the coursework element). Hers has to be done in school - we don't have any software.

No advice really - she'd gladly drop it at the moment but I suspect it will be less stressful once all the composition and performance bits are done - and then it's out of the way largely. Good luck1

redskydelight · 31/01/2023 15:44

My DC wanted to do this, but they weren't allowed - the school cited not wanting to set a precedent and also not having anyone to supervise him as the issues.

If it's just the composition, can't he just spend every spare minute for a short time getting it done to a handable in standard? Come in early, stay after school; lunch times (if they are long enough)? Could he get permission to use tutor time?

Chiasmi · 01/02/2023 23:14

Some schools will not permit students to have a gap in their timetable, others will allow it.

It's very late in the year to be dropping one though and as PPs say, a lot of Y11s are struggling with NEAs and revision pressure at the moment. Mine and all her friends seem desperate to get out of school and start college.

Ellmau · 02/02/2023 01:13

I would let him drop it. If the school won't let him, just stop doing any work for it and accept he will fail the exam.

NotDonna · 02/02/2023 07:45

@ellmau I don’t think he has to fail the exam. My friends’ daughter wanted to drop history but the school said no so she just stopped studying for it and didn’t turn up for the exams. I’m guessing if she’d have sat it, she would have to put the low grade/fail on her UCAS. She went to all the history lessons until study leave iirc There was no NEA though.
It’s not the approach I’d encourage and You may want to double check this would still work with an NEA. Be much better to get schools’ permission.
Alternatively can he get the composition up to a passable 4/5 standard and then be done with it?

Wannakisstheteacher · 02/02/2023 11:07

100% drop. No way would I have a subject like music risk a science grade!

Bramshott · 02/02/2023 12:34

Is the software Sibelius? If so, you can pay a monthly subscription for the period you need it (we've just done this for DD2). IIRC it's about £10 or £12 a month and she's needed it for 3 months.

Bambala · 02/02/2023 13:10

My DD has just dropped a non core but it wasn’t easy. Lots of discussions with the SLT as they don’t like to create a precedent for everyone who is finding it hard at this late stage, but they decided her mental health was being impacted and let her drop it. She is like a new person and actually embracing school life again rather than dreading it.

maddy68 · 02/02/2023 13:11

Yes let him drop it. It doesn't matter in the grand scheme of thing.

Original poster
Goldenbear · 02/02/2023 13:32

minisnowballs very good point there about it being front loaded. DS prefers exams and I think this is the only bit of coursework he has done, other than a recorded speech for English Language. I think it may be because he is shocked by the quantity of work for coursework. Tbh he does find Maths easy as it is exam based and he has an aptitude for it.

redskydelight, yes, I think it is the precedent that they won't want to set but good point about using tutorial time. As
Chiasmi points out it is late on in the year and yes my DS is so over school now, desperate to get to 6th form college.

NotDonna that is perhaps a good approach but we definitely want to avoid putting down a very low grade for UCAS application.

Bramshott thanks for tip, I'll ask as if that's the case i can understand myself what he has to do at the moment I don't know how the software works.

Bambala, I'm glad you've managed to sort this for your DD. I am happy for him to drop it but it is just the UCAS application and school probably won't allow it

Thanks for advice

OP posts:
Bambala · 02/02/2023 13:39

@Goldenbear what happens with UCAS when you drop a subject?

Hercisback · 02/02/2023 13:42

First port of call needs to be the school. We don't let students drop things.

Fifthtimelucky · 02/02/2023 14:27

Any writing out of scores has to be done under controlled conditions, so students with access to Sibelius at home still have to write the score at school under supervision rather than being able to do it at home

However if the OP's son is struggling mainly with the software, there is nothing to stop him from writing his composition by hand.

Also, a traditional written score is not essential. The exam boards don't require one so it might be worth him checking with his teachers what other options he has.

It may be too late now, but if I were a guitarist having to write a mediaeval composition I would compose a lute-type song and provide a single melody line and a chord chart rather than a traditional score. Much more authentic too!

euff · 02/02/2023 15:15

I can't advise on music but has he talked to the school? Getting a dressing down for not doing enough work when you feel you are putting in work but can't devote enough time due to having to put more in elsewhere must be horrible. I would want to address that and say that it's causing him stress and it's showing (if he can't himself). I do get the impression that subjects like music and art and other creative subjects will be different for different people and some will feel they need to put a lot more time in to get results.

mondaytosunday · 02/02/2023 16:55

How can a school force him to take 10 GCSEs? It's not like it's a core subject. I'd be meeting with the head pronto - surely they would much prefer 9 better grades than 9 grades and a very low one.
And no teacher should humiliate a child - my son has been through that and I wish I had been more vocal about it at the time.

Choconut · 02/02/2023 17:51

He wouldn't have to put all his subjects on his UCAS form if he didn't want to I'm sure. He'd still have 9 grades which is the number of GCSE's lots of students do - some do as many as 12 and some do very few. No one would know or care if he left off something he did badly in I'm sure - as long as he passes maths and English gets 5 at 5 and above I don't think anyone worries too much beyond that. His A-levels will be much more important.

redskydelight · 02/02/2023 18:22

Choconut · 02/02/2023 17:51

He wouldn't have to put all his subjects on his UCAS form if he didn't want to I'm sure. He'd still have 9 grades which is the number of GCSE's lots of students do - some do as many as 12 and some do very few. No one would know or care if he left off something he did badly in I'm sure - as long as he passes maths and English gets 5 at 5 and above I don't think anyone worries too much beyond that. His A-levels will be much more important.

You are required to put all your subjects on your UCAS form. But most universities won't care if there is one poorer subject.

NotDonna · 02/02/2023 18:37

@Choconut that’s incorrect. You absolutely must list all qualifications including any fails or low grades on the UCAS form. Now there’s no longer AS levels, GCSEs can be quite important for some university courses.

Untitledsquatboulder · 02/02/2023 18:43

Ds2 has just dropped a non- core gcse but that's because he has recently been diagnosed w crohns disease and has missed a huge amount if school. In his case the school were very cooperative whereas usually the z swer would be "hell no".

With ds2 we had to submit a scheme of work to show how he'd spend his free periods (he has to work independently in the student support unit). It helped that he's got a reputation for hard work and good behaviour so they could trust him to make good use of his time with minimal supervision. He's now petitioning to be able to work in the library as student support is too noisy.

Bambala · 02/02/2023 19:10

@Untitledsquatboulder i got the feeling this was the case with my DD too - they know they can trust her to work in the ‘frees’ and she seems to be getting lots done. However I am worried that @Goldenbear thinks it will affect an UCAS form to drop a subject. It was my understanding that they didn’t care how many GCSE’s you took it was A levels that mattered but maybe I am wrong?