Help with GCSE choices

[mummyof2boys30]

So we have to pick GCSE choices. Hes my eldest and finding it very daunting. He thinks he wants to do engineering, architecture or youth work. I feel youth is probably the best option but want him to make own choices.

So compulsary is
English lang
English literatue
Maths
RE
X1 science (choosing physics).

His other definates are
Design and technology
Learning for life and work
Digital texhnology multimedia.

He has one more to choose. From the following 3 is any a better option. Trying to keep options open and also not to be swamped in coursework too.
The choice is from
Moving image art
Health and social care
Chemistry
Geography
Business communication systems

If he is moderately academic (which it sounds from your update that he is), and keen to keep options open, the best choices for doing that are the 'traditional' subjects. If I were you I'd try to steer him towards:
English lang
English literatue
Maths
RE
Physics
Chemistry
Geography
Either Design and technology or Digital technology multimedia

Or if he really wants to keep both DT & Multimedia then both of those and not geography (as he already has a humanities subject in RE).

@clary @ErrolTheDragon I did mean Chemistry A level. This is why I linked it with FM. I also said double award science and this would include Chemistry. So yes. Definitely more science at GCSE. The link with architecture possibly means civil engineering is most likely but clearly chemistry keeps options open.

@Singleandproud We really cannot keep saying engineering undergrads need further maths! They absolutely do not. Huge numbers of courses would be empty if this was a requirement. It’s best to have it for the most competitive courses, definitely, but there are loads of courses that won’t see many students with FM. We need to stop frightening dc off engineering. Many totally competent engineers don’t have FM.

@TizerorFizz you are right but that's why I recommended looking at College and University entry requirements.

There are also degrees in quantity surveying, planning, building services, construction, building surveying, construction project management, etc. FM won’t be required.

Plus if dc didn’t want to carry on with chemistry for gcse, Chemistry A level and chemical engineering will be a huge stretch! Possibly this would not be a viable option.

Wow thanks everyone for all your replies.
We have a lot to think about. He is reasonably academic. Does well but could do better if put the effort in. Going by his placing for grammar i would say he would be middle of the year group or higher.

We have had a talk and he is going to do either chemistry or geography, but i will use the next few weeks to try and push the chemistry link. Hes adament he wants to do LLW which i know is a NI subject choice.

So basically its now
English lang
English literature
Maths
RE
Physics
Chemistry or geography
Design and technology
Digital technology
LLW

I think architecture is beyond his reach and feel engineering/graphic designs/computers is more the angle he will eventually take. But at 13 difficult to predict too

Why do you think architecture is tougher than engineering? Do you know what engineers actually do and the responsibility they have?

Apart from for very specific reasons (usually to do with special needs) English students would be taking either combined science (a mix of all 3 but equivalent to two GCSE's) or 3 separate sciences. My son took 2 separate sciences but it was due to specific learning reasons.

So if he is looking to go to university in the rest of the UK for example then only having one science could put him at a disadvantage.

If he is quite academic would make sure that he doing at least 7/8 actual GCSE's and only 1 of the more unusual vocational subjects (I am assuming btec)

Engineering and computer science are probably more competitive than architecture which is an academic subject.
I’m surprised that your grammar offer so many vocational qualifications but that might be because I’m in England where two sciences would be unusual at a grammar and three more typical.

But there are also more uni courses available with a wider range of entry grades.

But there are also more uni courses available with a wider range of entry grades.

Yes, and there must be a heck of a lot more jobs for engineers and computer scientists across a range of ability levels than there are for architects.

Health and social care isn't really that relevant for youth work OP. For youth work having some sort of voluntary experience working in a youth group will be more important than GCSE or A level choices.

For keeping options open with a child academic enough to get to grammar school, I'd be expecting to see a mainly traditional academic list with maybe 1 more modern/technical/vocational one. I do think 3 (Design and technology,
Digital technology and LLW) is 2 too many. Not because there are issues as such with those subjects, but dropping more traditional ones excludes them from A level options, which is not keeping options open. He's only 13, I think his list is still shutting too many doors that it sounds like could be kept open.

Taking everyones advise on board. Have parent liason meetings next week so will talk to teachers then. He has agreed to chemistry and geography in replace of LLW. But defo keeping design and technology and digital technology. They are his absolute musts. Im happier with his mix now. His latest school report actually has physics as his best (2nd in class) and chemistry (came 7th) so definately able in them

In regards to youth work he believe it or not has at least 200 volunteer hours. He volunteers at least 2 nights a week and also a few weeks in summer. We have excellent youth provision in our area so not worried about catering for that so much.

I have been loosing sleep over this. We we picked years ago it was much more structured which made it easier.

Good post from @TeenDivided. I would also be pushing for chem, geography and maybe biology then just one of the others. Digital multimedia and learning fir life are not needed for any A level. Better to keep options open at this stage, if that's feasible (and it sounds as tho he is able).

You need art to do architecture

@BoohooWoohoo You think engineering isn’t an academic subject? How bizarre. Of course it is. Would you like a bridge designed by someone without an academic engineering degree? What about a high rise building? How safe would you feel? Chartered Engineers are the same as Chartered Architects. Both are professional qualifications following academic degrees. Do you think engineers mend your washing machine?

@MrsElijahMikaelson1 No. You don’t need art for architecture but it helps.