GCSE options

[Amisillyornot]

Hello- need some advice re GCSE options.
My DC is in year 9 and needs to choose the options. DC has so far chosen as his options : History, Geography, Economics and Classics. He is also doing triple science as part of the core.
So my question is - he does not want to do any languages - is that o or does he have to choose a language to broaden his chances at uni/job etc
Thanks

Wouldn't Classics count as language? This usually covers Latin and Greek, so although Latin isn't modern, Greek hasn't actually changed that much, and Latin is the basis of a lot of modern languages and will stand him in good stead if he decides to pick one up later on.

His choices seem pretty balanced and give him good options for A levels and beyond; also most Unis are looking for a good balance, depending on the route he chooses Classics is going to be really helpful in for example history and possibly law for understanding terms etc.

Hope this helps.

Thanks @MedievalNun . I do not think classics count as a language, it is more history but far far far back (if I understood the teacher correctly at Options evening). He also had the choice of Media studies but he wasn't too sure. Teachers keeps saying it is a good choice and cannot 'influence' choice of subjects although all said they's be happy for him to do their subjects - but that doesn't really help him. He wants to get into Aerospace and Aeronautics

I assume classics is actually classical civilisation (rather than Latin or Greek) so no, not a language, more history and literature. But there is no need to study a language OP – no university asks for it and no employer will either. Obvs if he wanted to take language at A level then GCSE is needed, but otherwise not. Much better to take subjects they will be engaged in and do well in.

ah now that career I can help with as my DD is working in it. He needs to make sure his maths is good, also physics. If the school offers engineering then go for that too.

Is there an RAF Cadets squadron nearby? The reason I ask is that all the 'classification' badges they do are based around aerospace and aeronautics, if I remember correctly if the cadet gets through Master cadet it even gives them a (lower level) BTEC in Aeronautics. This might help your son see if the career is one for him, as he'll be learning about how different aircraft work, cyber-security, space etc.

Most of the big companies also offer apprenticeships, BAE, Babcock, Airbus etc and their websites will have information on the types of GCSE and A levels they look for.

Hope this helps and good luck.

My brother did aerospace and aeronautics. He's v high up in military now, flying. He had to go back and learn French as an adult as a lot of his work was there and its also the language of Air Traffic Control (I'm told).

4 academic options plus triple science is a lot! Media Studies tends to get much much higher grades than Languages as it's easier so I can see why the teachers are advising him this way.

@clary - yes you are right - that is what Classics is about
@MedievalNun thank you so much for the advice - yes he is really into this - all about airplanes, carplanes etc - there is an RAF base near where we are so will definitely look into this. Thanks again

I did languages so am biased but I think a GCSE language is important.

@leccybill - yes does seem a lot but that he what he has chosen. Also triple science as he is in set 1. He seems focussed and hopefully will keep this up. We are just trying to be supportive with advice without influencing. Both me and my husband are in completely different fields (accountant and social worker- Mental Health) so not much to offer in terms of advice

I did 2 and have since learned 2 more so I love languages BUT when DS didn’t want to do one at GCSE I supported him because I think to succeed at language GCSEs you have to have a basic level of love for it.
It won’t affect what he does in the future (he doesn’t want to do a language A level or degree) and he can learn to speak a language very easily if he wants to. In fact one of his languages is pretty good, he understands quite a lot but his written isn’t great.

This link should take you to the RAF cadets home page; there's a search function for squadrons and an enquiries email.

www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/

At DD’s school it’s compulsory for them to take at least 1 modern language GCSE. There are a few universities e.g UCL who have it as an entry requirement so worth being aware of. If he’s absolutely set on not doing one and is completely sure he won’t need it in the future then that’s fine - in reality all DD’s French GCSE did was cause unnecessary stress!

www.ucl.ac.uk/srs/news/2021/mar/suspension-modern-foreign-language-mfl-requirement
not any more apparently

There are a few universities e.g UCL who have it as an entry requirement so worth being aware of.

Not true thank goodness (and I am an MFL specialist - but I don't want everyone forced into doing MFL against their will).

DW @Amisillyornot - only UCL ever had this stricture, and even then they said students could take a language course in their first year. But IIRC they have dropped even that. No other uni had a rule of needing MFL GCSE.

We are doing GCSE options too op - yours sound like a very good mix. I was surprised they have dropped compulsory mfl but I did french and hated it (sorry) so I guess it's good that you're not forced to do something you don't enjoy.

I did wonder though if your DS wants to go into aerospace would something like statistics be useful? We are going down the 9 academic/triple science route plus one creative that he enjoys (food tech, much to my amusement as he struggled to open a can of tuna at the weekend).

Anyway - I just came on to vote for RAF cadets. My DS has been in about six months and absolutely loves it.

Thanks everyone for your input :-)