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Original poster

GSCE choices - Latin or Art?

59 replies

BankHolidayFun · 09/02/2023 09:44

DS is at a selective school. He has chosen History and Religion and Philosophy as 2 of the 3 GCSE options (these were no brainers)

His third choice is between Latin and Art.

He is good at both, but probably enjoys Art more although he's certainly not a top artist and more likely to look at doing humanities at university (History, PPE, Philosophy ) than anything creative.

I have been pushing Latin as it's a good opportunity for him and not a lot of state schools offer this. Also, it's the basis of many languages and it helps with broader general knowledge. I admit I am probably reluctant for him not to choose it as I would have loved the opportunity to study it myself!

Also, he's not the most organised child and I'm concerned he won't cope with the homework and deadlines for Art as it's obviously course work heavy. Saying this, his art teacher thinks he will be able to cope

Any thoughts? Would it be beneficial in applying to a top university if he studies Latin at GCSE?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
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SheilaFentiman · 09/02/2023 17:16

And I’m glad it will be done and dusted by end April, so one less thing to revise.

Choconut · 09/02/2023 17:17

Latin fits in much better with his other subjects. DS chose to do Latin rather than an MFL and that worked really well for him, he had to do it in Yr 8 and really annoyed about that but then actually enjoyed it. Latin also involves some history so he might really enjoy that part.

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 09/02/2023 17:18

He should do what HE likes best.
Art GCSE is fine if you are organised. And you can learn to be better at it like any subject! You don't need innate 'talent'
My DH tried to push DS1 away from art. He's now doing a fine art degree! at GCSE he was 'average' but loved it. He has developed in so many ways and loves the analysis and critical writing part. He finds it intellectually stimulating.
Plus it's out of the way before exams and no revision !
Ds2 did Latin and found it v dull at GCSE lots of vocab. He did well in it.
Unis do not care at all what GCSEs you have excepting english and maths.
Unless he wants to do Latin a level then he could do art as he prefers it.

Exasperatednow · 09/02/2023 17:19

My dd had this choice. She was as you say a fine artist. She took art and regretted it. It was a lot of work and her worst gcse result. She wishes she had taken Latin.

lanthanum · 09/02/2023 17:29

I'd have loved to do Latin, but your DS should do what he prefers. He needs to be aware that art is usually a lot more homework time (possibly less so in a selective school - in DD's secondary other subjects set very little homework).

As far as universities go, it's not going to give him an advantage on getting in (because, as you say, it's not even an option for most pupils).

Reugny · 09/02/2023 17:35

Ireallydohope · 09/02/2023 16:31

It's his choice not yours so he should choose what he prefers

Agree.

I did both to 16.

I can't say which was more useful as they are both useful subjects that give you different skills. No-one cares years onwards which you did.

Reugny · 09/02/2023 17:38

Choconut · 09/02/2023 17:17

Latin fits in much better with his other subjects. DS chose to do Latin rather than an MFL and that worked really well for him, he had to do it in Yr 8 and really annoyed about that but then actually enjoyed it. Latin also involves some history so he might really enjoy that part.

Depending what artists you look at, art involves history.

In fact paintings and other types of art are useful to learn about history.

TizerorFizz · 09/02/2023 18:46

If he’s great at MFL, Latin. If he is good at art and won’t see it as a chore, art. Makes no odds regarding his future university or career choices. Has he studied Latin yet? It is great with an MFL.

Happyhappyeveryday · 09/02/2023 18:51

Always, always go for what you enjoy at GCSE. The subject is of little importance. The ultimate aim is as many high grades as possible. If he prefers art, he must opt for art.

Perfect28 · 09/02/2023 18:58

There's a lot you learn in art that isn't just how to draw and paint. Let him pick what he wants. Art has value.

MerryMarigold · 09/02/2023 18:58

I did both! I did GCSE art in Y11 and GCSE Latin in Y13 alongside my A levels. Is he doing another language or not? If not, I'd do Latin. If he is doing a language, I would do art as it's a bit different from the other choices and shows a. Ability across the board if he can get a good grade in it, b. It's using a different part of your brain so it's more relaxing than piling on similar academic subjects and c. There is coursework which trashed some of the pressure off the final exams of which there are SO many! (My son did GCSEs last year and was grateful to have one subject which had an assessed element).

Testina · 09/02/2023 19:50

Twizbe · 09/02/2023 10:48

I was always told that Art was an A or E subject. You were either good at it or not.

Personally I'd do Latin, but then I have 2 degrees in classical civilisations

That sounds like a clever line to whoever said it to you, but if it were ever true (and given exam calibration between subjects I doubt it) it’s certainly not the case now.

GSCE choices - Latin or Art?
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 09/02/2023 20:32

The person mentioning the link between history and Latin.

You do tons of history in art. They have to look at other artists in the context of the time. So they have to know the background. Personally I’d rather do art history than ancient history. Dropped Anxient history at A level to do art. Never regretted or missed it. Never regretted or missed dropping Latinwither. I’m 49, I’ve never used Latin in my life

immergeradeaus · 09/02/2023 20:41

Latin is much easier to get a 9 in. But it should be entirely up to your dc.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 09/02/2023 21:20

immergeradeaus · 09/02/2023 20:41

Latin is much easier to get a 9 in. But it should be entirely up to your dc.

What do you base this on?

immergeradeaus · 09/02/2023 21:36

Look at the grade distributions.

analytics.ofqual.gov.uk/apps/GCSE/9to1/

It's true that on average the kids taking Latin will be higher ability and educationally advantaged. But also, there's no coursework, and it's straightforward, with a syllabus that teachers are very familiar with.

immergeradeaus · 09/02/2023 21:38

That link doesn't work when I click it but if you search for gcse grade distributions you'll get to it and can see the big difference between Latin and art

immergeradeaus · 09/02/2023 21:40

See these charts

GSCE choices - Latin or Art?
GSCE choices - Latin or Art?
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 09/02/2023 21:44

But 50000 kids were entered for art and 4,000 for Latin!

This makes a massive difference. I taught a small A level which always did really well. We frequently outstripped the bigger ones because our percentages were much higher, even though their grades seemed higher. Small numbers make for more higher grades.

clary · 09/02/2023 22:19

Yes @immergeradeaus it's not as simple as numbers gaining a 9. There are lots of factors - Latin is more likely to be taught in selective or private schools, where students will gain higher grades. Art IME is a subject that appeals to a very wide range of ability. Both of those facts will skew the figures.

Teachers are very familiar, I am sure, with the syllabus for art as well. Actually the coursework is a thing in art's favour as a choice in my view, as it suits a lot of students who struggle with exams.

Op I want to add to the chorus of it being your DC's choice. You might want to do Latin, but does he? Dd considered German for a second MFL, but in the end chose drama and was very glad as it gave her a creative outlet she really enjoyed.

Mum97540 · 09/02/2023 22:31

DD did both last year. Got a 9 in Latin and an 8 in art. Art was masses of work. Took up loads of whole weekends when she should've been studying her A level choice subjects. With it being coursework with deadlines, it had to be done first. I'd opt for Latin if it were me.

Eirlys77 · 09/02/2023 22:34

I had to choose between German and Art GCSE and I loved both. I chose Art, I also took it as one of my A-Levels and it was finally the subject of my degree. You would think, with all this information, that I would be saying he should choose Art…quite the opposite! I still love German but languages are so hard to learn later in life, if you love art then you can always pick it back up. As it happens, my other two A-Levels were French and English Literature, I would much rather have done three language based A-Levels. Latin really is brilliant if you’re good at it and, as so many others have said, it really does help with English grammar and with understanding the root of so many words in other languages too.

All this said, if he did go for Art, it certainly wouldn’t be the end of the world! X

Testina · 09/02/2023 22:40

immergeradeaus · 09/02/2023 21:36

Look at the grade distributions.

analytics.ofqual.gov.uk/apps/GCSE/9to1/

It's true that on average the kids taking Latin will be higher ability and educationally advantaged. But also, there's no coursework, and it's straightforward, with a syllabus that teachers are very familiar with.

I bet if you did a robust analysis, “no coursework” would have little to do with it. That it so strongly driven by the higher ability and educational advantage that you mention. It’s a bit weird that you even mention them yourself, and yet say that it’s easier to get a 9 in Latin!

Testina · 09/02/2023 22:42

Ignore those factors is a bit like me deciding that Polish looks waaaaaaaay easier than French 🤣

GSCE choices - Latin or Art?
Sunshineparasol · 09/02/2023 22:42

Is he good at languages?

I did Latin as I was attracted to the idea of it being classical (and somehow "posh", if I'm honest). I didn't enjoy it, it was just another language and I'm OK but not amazing at languages. I just liked the classical idea of it rather than the reality.

A friend studied Latin at Uni, never used it again, has absolutely nothing to do with his job now and it certainly didn't open any doors.

My other friend did Latin GCSE. Never used it again, it had no more impact than any other GCSE.

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