GCSE Drama or CS?

[StillEndlesslySearching]

I'm looking for some insight so I can help guide DD as she chooses her GCSES this week.

10 subjects mandatory with triple science so 4 choices. So far 3 definite (humanity/MFL and business studies) but left with a choice between Drama and CS. Both teachers think she will do well but DD does not enjoy performing (significant stage fright) although this is only 20% of the marks for Drama. Also about to sit G6 LAMDA and hoping to complete G8 by the end of Y11.

CS - studying python as a language this year but I do worry the content may otherwise be pretty dull.
So far no real clue for A levels/HE/career choice.

thanks for your thoughts.

If she doesn't like performing then CS.

Just some thoughts based on my current experience (DC in Y11). Drama is a lot more work than many kids anticipate and it takes up quite a bit of time, disproportionately so in my opinion but probably not disproportionate if you're going on to A level.

CS is indeed a lot duller than computing in the real world. Lots of kids in my DS's group are really good at maths and take CS as an easy high grade.

That’s already a heavy academic workload, personally I would encourage her to look at a creative GCSE for her final one whether that’s drama, music, art, resistant materials etc.

CS can be dull (DS2 found it so). DD loved her drama GCSE tho that was the old spec so it is different. She had a really good group tho which is helpful.

Which would she prefer? That's surely the key. Neither is vital for post-16 study in that subject tbh; CS A level as long as you code is fine; drama A level without GCSE probably less likely but if she does LAMBDA grades then I am sure not a problem.

If she doesn't like performing, why is she doing LAMDA?
The "performing" doesn't have to be to huge audiences. DD's was just to the rest of her class.

I've had one child do CS and one take Drama.

Computer science does have the propensity to be dry. The programing is only one very small element, it's otherwise a lot of theory. I'd only take if genuinely interested (a lot of DS's class took it thinking it would be an easy option invoolving messing about with computers - it's not)

Drama might be a more relaxed subject in what is otherwise a very heavily academic workload (in fact at DC's school they have to take one more creative subject for just this reason). There is still a fair amount of theory in the analysing of a play - akin to English Lit in this respect. Is this something she'd enjoy?

Probably obvious but Drama would probably work better for a student who was stronger in English/Humanities and CS for a student who was stronger in Maths/Sciences.

I have DC who have taken 10+ of the current style GCSEs in one sitting. One chose a creative subject over CS; the other visa versa.

The DC with the creative subject found it to be a time drain and that did impact other subjects at the margins; it was still the right choice for them but the time issue was definitely there.

The DC who did CS did find aspects to be dull but the subject slotted in easily along the others and, frankly, lots of GCSEs have dull aspects to them; it was still the right choice for them.

Sounds like CS might be the way to go. If your DD wants to address public speaking confidence at some point, there are lots of options; for my DC, it was volunteering from Y10 onwards.

I have no idea why she is doing LAMDA. Her mother said she gets stage fright. But that might be a reason to not do drama, she is already taking an exam in drama, one that attracts UCAS points.

She is taking triple science so she is obviously capable in sciences.

I am aware it is not an easy choice, having taught it at GCSE and A Level.

I didn't expect you to know (my comment was aimed at OP really) - it was more that if she can cope well enough to do LAMDA exams (which are optional, unlike GCSEs) then she can surely cope well enough to do GCSE Drama.

And, if she really can't cope, why is she doing LAMDA anyway? Seems an odd choice.

UCAS points are not that useful for a lot of universities (which care more about A Level grades). Of course OP has said she has no future plans so she may not be interested in university, or not at the level to consider the universities that want specific A Level grades!

Lamda exams are taken in front of one examiner. GCSE drama pieces are usually performed to an audience.

Which exam board is it as the performance element is usually more than 20% or are they able to choose a design/sound specialism instead.

Drama is time consuming and involves a lot of group work.

Yes actually agree with @Comefromaway if it’s AQA for example, performance is 50% of the mark (a 40% section plus half of a 20% section). Not checked other specs but would be surprised if it were as low as 20% tbh.

I'm wondering if they have been given the option to do directing or lighting for the 40% section.

My DD performed her drama pieces to the rest of her class (1 element) and just her teacher (2nd element). I'm sure if the OP's DC is really affected by stage fright it would be possible to have her just perform to her teacher/small group - perhaps this is a good question to ask?

My DD didn't find drama time consuming. I think she literally had 2 after school sessions of a couple of hours or so on top of normal lessons and homework. Not in the same sort of ballpark as art, for example :)
But, another good question to ask. It sounds like others have had different experiences.

(I'm not plugging drama by the way, OP's DC should clearly make the right choice for her. I just don't think these are reasons not to choose it).

Performance can be backstage or tech.

My DD is doing CS and loving it. It helps that she's naturally good at it and engaged, and they have a good teacher.

Shockingly there are only two girls who have taken it as an option, and I think she's getting a massive thrill out of being told she's the best in class etc. They also seem to be taking part in some sort of external python training so she's seeing herself progress up the levels rapidly and getting a kick out of that.

What does your DD WANT to do? I would be nervous about signing up to drama if she actively dislikes performing. My DDs find drama totally "cringe" and the thought of them having to do that is not good - they'd moan constantly!

@85reasons I agree shocking but not surprising. One girl in ds2's class; mate taught it at my school ab he had one girl in the class too (and she was pretty feisty, as she had to be for other reasons). Well done to your dd.

Thanks for all of your messages and feedback. Sorry to be so slow replying but busy day at work but they are all very much appreciated.

To answer some questions:
LAMDA she seems to be fine. As PP said performance is just in front of one examiner and she has been getting distinctions so presumably doing well.
Christmas school production- very noticeable nerves which significantly impacted her performance and was pretty awkward to watch.

Drama exam board Edexcel. Part of component 1 had a performance but that is internal and unlikely to be an issue if just in front of her class and familiar teacher. Her concerns are around the external assessed performance (20% of the marks) but perhaps she is just over thinking it.

Bit hit and miss in terms of strengths - good at history/Geog but English average.
Good at French and sciences but maths average.

Overall, I ‘think’ she would prefer Drama as the teacher is extremely enthusiastic and charismatic but I will discuss your thoughts/opinions with her and see which way she goes.

thanks again

Is business studies something she desperately wants to do? I only ask as it’s kind of unnecessary- not needed for the A- level. If she dropped that she could do both CS and drama.

Creative doesn't mean low workload. DD spend much more time on her Drama GCSE than any other subject. She was fine with that as it's the thing she loves. Sounds like OPs DD actively dislikes it though so not a good idea to pursue. At least if she finds Computer Studies boring it won't be taking over her life.

Agree with @OnGoldenPond. DS has been warned that drama, music, art and DT can turn into massive time sucks (so don't do them all, basically), and because a higher proportion of people tend to do them who are passionate about them vs other subjects, you have to really invest in the coursework to get a high grade as some students treat is basically as a hobby and invest accordingly - DS knows someone who spent 100 hrs on his DT portfolio- guidance is 35. This may be somewhat board dependent though.

Quick update.

Choices were submitted today although I believe they can change their mind if needed up until summer term.

In the end she went with Drama. After further discussion, she thought she would find it more enjoyable so fingers crossed it’s the right decision.

thanks again.

As a drama teacher who teaches edexcel, the component 2 scripted performances is either performed to a live visiting examiner or it can be filmed and sent to the board. That will be a centre decision either way for the whole cohort. You can decide to design for this component as well. Good luck. Always a champion for my subject!

@OnGoldenPond i wasn’t suggesting that a creative GCSE meant a lower workload, but it does offer an outlet after sitting through lots of academic desk work.
My DC studied both resistant materials and drama GCSEs and A-Levels as part of a balanced workload before going on to study degrees in Mech Eng and History respectively.

@StillEndlesslySearching pleased to read that your DD has made up her mind and is happy with her choice.

Creative GCSEs with large course work elements also mean fewer exams to revise for. My DD studied Drama and Art and found both to be a relaxation from her more academic subjects. She also didn't find the coursework burden to be particularly high for Drama (Art a different story).

I think she has made the right decision. DD is taking both Drama and CS and much prefers Drama. Whilst she still enjoys the CS, she finds it heavy-going and has ruled it out as a career as she has no desire to study maths to A level. She is one of only 2 girls in a class of 30, and finds the class dynamics a bit difficult at times.

She often complains that she wishes she had taken Art instead, but I would have definitely advised against it as she’s already taking two creative subjects (Drama and Music).