PE or Computing at GCSE

TrustInFate · 2023-03-24T19:56:33+00:00

Appreciate that probably sounds like a no brainer but it's not quite so straightforward. DS generally either does really well (on for 9s) in subjects he is passionate about, or low to average in the rest (3s and 4s). His absolute best subjects throughout school have been French and PE, on for 9s in both. But he's concerned that Computing would be more useful to him in later life than PE. He quite likes Computing, but isn't "passionate" about it per se. Finds cyber security boring and coding alright but not too much of it. But of course he does like the idea of career opportunities and money. At his school, he could do Btec PE without doing it at GCSE. He couldn't do Btec Computing unless he does the GCSE. So does he risk the almost dead cert top grade of PE for a much lesser known grade in Computing?

TeenDivided · 24/03/2023 20:00

When you talk about the BTECs do you mean for 6th form? He could move for 6th form if necessary. I'd go for PE based on what you wrote

3WildOnes · 24/03/2023 20:04

A GCSE in computing isn't going to lead to a career in IT or cyber security and it is a pretty boring GCSE from what I have heard.
Definitely take PE if he has a chance of getting a top grade.

Pr0fessionalLurker · 24/03/2023 20:05

GCSE computing is dull and there's a lot of coding.

Original poster

TrustInFate · 24/03/2023 20:05

@TeenDivided yes his school does Btecs for specialisms and A levels in core subjects. But even so he's unlikely to be able to switch somewhere and pick up Computing at 6th form if he's not done it at GCSE whereas I'd imagine it's easier wherever he went to pick up PE

OP posts:

redrobin75 · 24/03/2023 21:03

Computing GCSE is known to be very boring and often poorly taught because no one wants to teach it. PE generally has much better teaching. I would go with the higher grade in PE and not focus on BTec Computing.

clary · 25/03/2023 00:18

DS2 did both of these and deffo enjoyed PE more. HE also got a higher grade in PE - not unrelated I suspect.

PE post 16 without the GCSE would be unusual tho clearly you have been told it is possible, If he doesn't enjoy coding he won't enjoy CS GCSE - or the post-16 course. And I agree, GCSE CS won't lead to a high-paying career on its own. (Or if it does, I may alert ds2...)

Does he enjoy biology? Dos he do sport out of school to a high level? If so, PE is a good shout for sure.

TeenDivided · 25/03/2023 07:00

At our local college you can do the Level 3 Extended Diploma BTEC in Computing without Computer Science GCSE.

https://www.eastleigh.ac.uk/careers/computer-science-and-computing/course-listing/computer-science-level-3-extended-diploma-full-time/

As far as I am aware you can do a Computing Degree without the A level / BTEC, maths is more important.

If computing really is a consideration for post 16 I would look around other providers to see what their requirements are. But if he doesn't think he'd enjoy it it would make a strange career choice imo.
(And actually you should look around other 6th form / colleges anyway.)

aslkde · 25/03/2023 07:37

PE is my child's favourite GCSE. They particularly enjoy the individual sports and find the theory side of it really interesting. There is some overlap with biology so they have a really sound knowledge of heart anatomy as it's been taught in both classes!

Enthusiasm for the subject goes a long way in helping a child to achieve a good grade

Seriously79 · 25/03/2023 07:37

Is Computing the same as computer science?

In DS's school it's classed as a very hard GCSE and only able students are invited to do it.

nicknamehelp · 25/03/2023 07:48

As not all schools offer computer science you don't have to have studied it at any level to do a degree in it. Also if you don't love it I think you would find it really hard/dull. A GCSE in computer science in a few years would not mean you know much about current computer science as its always evolving. I did IT gcse got A* but few years later I had no clue about new systems.
I would just let him go with what he loves and do PE.

Isahlo · 25/03/2023 07:48

One million percent PE

GlacindaTheTroll · 25/03/2023 08:02

GCSE in computing still doesn't have a terribly good reputation (unfairly since it was revamped a few years ago) but there's a shortage of comp sci teachers and it's often not taught well.

You don't need it to do comp sci later on (A level or degree level) but you do need good maths, and some sort of demonstrable interest in the subject (eg joining a coding club and doing projects there)

PE also suffers reputationally, which is a shame because since its revamp, the theory component became much more extensive (and has heavy overlap with biology so reinforces the sciences) and has the advantage of covering things that are useful for life (about human health, wellbeing and nutrition)

JoanThursday · 25/03/2023 08:13

I would say go for PE.

My ds was pretty sure he wanted to do gcse computer science and he had the maths capability to do it (predicted gcse 7 or above).

At the options evening, the teacher said that DS really must want to do it. He gave the analogy of someone sporty playing their chosen sport in their own time, or a musician practising their instrument throughout the week. He said that the same can be given for coding: you have to be passionate about it.

The stuff such as cyber security and ethics really interests by ds, but we both came away with the feeling that ds didn't have that 'passion'. My concern was that he would he stuck in a two year course that he finds very tedious, full of regret that he didn't take something else. If he wants to code, then we might be able to find holiday or after school clubs with no pressure of exams at the end.

So, the upshot was that he is not taking Computer Science and has chosen Geography instead - which he finds interesting and is pretty good at.

He is very happy with his decision.

Ratatouille1 · 25/03/2023 15:06

All the very best Computer Science degree courses only specify Maths A level. In my school all the sporty kids love PE GSCE, they seem much more likely to be more involved with the extra curricular PE stuff as well, probably because they see more of and have a closer relationship with the PE staff. To be fair for sport related degree courses PE A level again is rarely a requirement. Encourage him to do what he enjoys!

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 25/03/2023 16:09

Does he play sport to a high enough level to get a high grade for GCSE PE? If so, then go for that.

How is he doing in biology? There's lots of overlap with GCSE PE.

I'm not sure KS3 PE always has much correlation with GCSE, so do talk to his teachers if you haven't already.

But it makes sense to do something he enjoys and the BTEC sports and exercise science can lead to lots of great options!

SpringBunnies · 25/03/2023 16:25

You don’t need computing to do a computer science degree. But I am encouraging DD to consider it because she wants to do physics. Coding is a very basic skill for everyone considering a career in anything STEM related. What I mean is that it is not a useful GCSE for those wanting to do it at degree level but it’s a nice to have for anyone who aren’t.

I have looked at the exam paper and I have to disagree the syllabus go out of date quickly. Logically thinking is the same for the last 30 years. I did computer science at school a long time ago and it’s binary mathematics, flow charts, algorithms, etc. Very similar to the current exam questions. I see the questions are in pseudo code as well. I actually quite enjoyed doing mine at school and it was one of the easier subjects. Looking at the GCSE paper, I would say the same. It looks to be a very simple subject.

SpringBunnies · 25/03/2023 16:26

DD school asks you to be at playing at the level of a school or club team to do GCSE for PE. To me that is a lot harder than computer science.

clary · 25/03/2023 16:51

SpringBunnies · 25/03/2023 16:26

DD school asks you to be at playing at the level of a school or club team to do GCSE for PE. To me that is a lot harder than computer science.

Lots of kids play football (for example) for teams outside school tho, which is what’s needed here. Anyone who is interested in PE GCSE probably does that.

itsgettingweird · 25/03/2023 17:24

The gcse in computing seems odd to me.

My ds is a strong coder and went on to do the T level and now doing HNC in computing to go on to a HND.

He also does some part time work for a local company software developing.

He said what he did at gcse computing wasn't much help - and despite his actual coding skills he got a 6! Then a merit at t level which is equivalent to B as well.

So I don't think you necessarily need rely on the computing qualifications unless you want to learn coding and be a coder but even then the grades don't seem to reflect ability so if he did decide to go that route knowledge and do an apprenticeship?

Worth looking at what computing apprenticeships ask for subject wise.

PE leads to things like coaching on physio or sports science. If he likes that field?

If he's going in completely a different direction job wise to the above 2 I'd go for the one that gets the grade

itsgettingweird · 25/03/2023 17:25

Oh and in a complete reverse ds didn't do any sports subjects for gcse and beyond but yet is on the British team for his sport 🤷‍♀️🤣

Original poster

TrustInFate · 25/03/2023 17:34

His dream job (currently!) Is Sports Analyst. Which needs both sports and some computing skills...but not coding. Yes, he plays high level sport. He's also good at Biology. Average but not excellent at Maths.

OP posts:

3littlebeans · 25/03/2023 17:48

Definitely pe

RockGirl · 25/03/2023 18:10

SpringBunnies · 25/03/2023 16:25

You don’t need computing to do a computer science degree. But I am encouraging DD to consider it because she wants to do physics. Coding is a very basic skill for everyone considering a career in anything STEM related. What I mean is that it is not a useful GCSE for those wanting to do it at degree level but it’s a nice to have for anyone who aren’t.

I have looked at the exam paper and I have to disagree the syllabus go out of date quickly. Logically thinking is the same for the last 30 years. I did computer science at school a long time ago and it’s binary mathematics, flow charts, algorithms, etc. Very similar to the current exam questions. I see the questions are in pseudo code as well. I actually quite enjoyed doing mine at school and it was one of the easier subjects. Looking at the GCSE paper, I would say the same. It looks to be a very simple subject.

I think the person who said it went out of date didn't do CS, they did IT. Two very different beasts.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 25/03/2023 18:24

TrustInFate · 25/03/2023 17:34

His dream job (currently!) Is Sports Analyst. Which needs both sports and some computing skills...but not coding. Yes, he plays high level sport. He's also good at Biology. Average but not excellent at Maths.

Sounds like PE would really suit him. I would imagine he could learn the computing skills needed on the job if he has a reasonable level of competence with IT!

MirandaWest · 25/03/2023 18:40

DS couldn’t decide between PE and computing for GCSE and despite much preferring PE he decided he should do computing.

went to one lesson of it, discovered it was all boys in that class and found it very Immediately changed to PE which was much better for him - enjoyed it both theory and practical (he was good but not amazing at practical) and got a 9.

Am pretty confident he wouldn’t have got a 9 in computing.