ebacc or main program GCSE

[StillRunningWithScissors]

Just had the options letter come from Dds school for GCSE selection.

They have been recommended for the ebac pathway (humanities, mfl, then two options).

She would love to drop geography and history, and take the options of Design and Technology, music and drama.

She excels at maths and science (will be doing triple science). Is interested in doing some type of design or engineering

Would dropping the Humanities/going main program affect her uni options?

no

I think it's only the schools that benefit from their students doing the Ebac pathway, it looks good for their figures.

It's fine to not do eBacc- that's for the school and government.

It's worth noting that Computer Science is considered a humanity for eBacc purposes and it's popular with kids interested in engineering and maths. Luckily it's one of those subjects that you can start at A-level if she decides to start learning later.

I've no idea but I encouraged DS to go for a more rounded set of options so one MFL, one humanities and one art/design subject. Not sure if that was logical, but it felt 'better' to cover off as many areas as possible. However, he started his GCSE options in year 9. Maybe by year 10 I wouldn't have been so bothered?

School said that it was better for university applications to go the ebac route but I don't know if this is actually the case.

Some info here - scroll down to see the bit about university applications www.applytouni.com/courses/languages/english-baccalaureate/

no, the ebacc is for school league tables, not what is best for individual students
It is irrelevant to individual students - ignore it

Oh fantastic replies, thank you so much!!!

Bloody irritating that education has the winding path of what suits the stats more than the individual student.

She's doing well in geography/history, but doesn't enjoy them very much.

The tip about computer science being able to be picked up at A level is great to know as well.

Thanks everyone!!!!

This is interesting too - confirms exactly what other posters have said schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-the-three-inconvenient-truths-about-the-ebacc/

Computer Science is absolutely not considered to be a humanity!!!

And whether you can pick it up later depends on the individual school/college.

Yes as others say, it makes no difference to DC’s future (apart from eliminating possibility of MFL and geography A level obvs, tho history still possible) – ebacc is a measure for schools. Peers of DS2 who had to take MFL (and were unhappy about it) have a 2 or a 3 among their 5-6-7 GCSEs so I am not sure whom that helps (and MFL is my subject).

FWIW computer science is considered a science for ebacc/progress 8 purposes, not a humanity.

Students will without doubt do best and achieve the best grades in subjects they enjoy and are good at, rather than ones they do not enjoy (even if they are good at them) IME.

Oh I see the lovely @redskydelight is there before me on Comp Sci!

@clary @redskydelight @tillyoumakeit

Thanks for adding in.

My DD will be continuing her MFL, as she absolutely loves it.

Thanks everyone for the input