GCSE Advice - limited time and options

[Waverley25]

Hi, just looking for any advice as our DC starts to navigate GCSE options. Our DC is at a vocational boarding school where there is limited time for academic classes and study. They are bright though and we obviously want to keep academic options open if they don't end up going down the vocational route professionally.

They have a condensed academic timetable and limited options in terms of which GCSEs are available - they will be taking English language, English literature, Maths, combined science and opting for French, Geography and one other.

DC is trying to decide between Art or History as their final option. Am I right in thinking that art will be quite coursework heavy and require a lot of work throughout the year? Any thoughts on which subject would give a better all round set of courses or does it not really matter at this stage?

Also I believe this is 8 GCSE's in total (as science gives you 2?). Is this low in comparison to others? We are not familiar with the English GCSE system at all so maybe that is incorrect. Would 8 be enough to go on to future study if DC decides to go that way?

Art is very time consuming but the vocational schools are often very good at it. My dd is absolutely dreadful at art and so she was one of the very few students who didn't take it at her vocational school. I guess it depends on the syllabus/exam board but they seemed to tie as much as possible into things like costume design for example.

My dd did 9 GCSE's but my son did 8 at a normal school. I'd say 9 is the most common number with some schools doing 10 and some doing 8. 8 is the magic number for league tables etc and some universities ask for the best 8 results.

Also the university my dd has just started at were very interested in and took account of her vocational training when making her an offer of a place.

Agree with @Comefromaway

Art is known to take extraordinary amount of time. He'll be better off with English, Maths, Sciences, Geography, French and History. This will be min he'll need if he decides to go to university

My dd always felt they would be better off offering German instead of French because there are so many more jobs in German speaking countries (although since Brexit they have lessened). But French is often offered because it is "the language of ballet!"

8 is towards the low end nut it is fine and all the important ones are in there.

(The important ones - maths, science and English are compulsory)

It's fine for future study,

Thanks all - this is really helpful. @Comefromaway that's a good point about art being popular/done well at vocational schools. DC is definitely leaning towards art I think but I am just concerned about the workload - but then on the other hand maybe it's good to get some work completed and out of the way before exam time.

Good to know that 8 is considered ok and that the core ones are being covered at least! I had spoken with a friend who seemed surprised at the number but I think she was comparing with a very academic school and realistically I guess something has to give in Y11 if they are also doing vocational training.

This will be the min he'll need

I think this is misleading - it depends on which subjects and which university.
GCSEs are alot about qualifying to do A levels. Unis care more about A levels than GCSEs.

My son started off at an academically selective school and even they did 9 as standard. They offered 10 if a child chose to do one as an extra curricular (usually drama or Greek or further maths).

Will they be doing a GCSE related to their vocational subject? Dd's school offered drama or music but dropped dance as it was at a much lower standard than they were working at and felt it didn't anything but some vocational schools still do it as an easy GCSE.

That is true and where careful decisions need to be made as many vocational schools only offer limited A levels. Dd did two but her Level 3 dance and drama qualifications were taken into account, however she did have to do a foundation year at university.

No, they offer GCSE dance but DC has discounted it for the reasons you mention and will take French instead. I am happy with this decision as I agree I don't think it really adds anything.

Thanks both - something to be aware of - A levels will be the next thing to think about of course... Again we are totally unfamiliar with the English school system so we are all learning as we go!

There are options other than A levels such as Btec or the Trinity diploma or a combination of the two which is what my dd did but that might be a conversation for another day.

Art takes a lot of time during the two years, but when it comes to Y11 exams the final art exam is before the main exams start, so it's ticked off early & she can then concentrate on the others.

or he

Eight GCSEs as others say is fine. The highest percentage of 16yos sit 9, closely followed by 8 (about 28% took 9 in 2024 and 25% took 8) so it's totally normal.

As a comparator, only 12% took 10. Eight is fine for A levels, uni, apprenticeships, jobs. They have covered the compulsories so either history or art is good. Art tho is a big thief of time and really I would only advise it if it is how they relax - in other words, they would prefer to be doing art than reading or gaming or whatever.

I know too many DC who liked art but ended up hating it in year 11. But if you love doing it for fun then happy days – I know DC for whom that was true as well.

Thanks - this is a fear of mine that Art will become a chore rather than something they love, but on the other hand it could perhaps be something fun and different to focus on throughout a year which may be pretty stressy with upper school auditions etc.

Personally I would take history and just cram it all in and then sit the exam but that's just me and obviously it is down to DC to decide. We have a meeting with teachers soon so this has been really helpful in advance of that and also made me think about some more questions to ask them.