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Secondary education

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Original poster

School want to withdraw DS from Creative Media

51 replies

Scaredofet · 02/05/2025 13:35

Hi all

I've just had a call from school saying they want to withdraw DS (not the only kid which makes me feel slightly better) from creative media btec because, well, basically he has no chance of passing it 😔

He can't stand it so has disengaged completely, which I knew about tbf. What I didn't know is he didn't bother to redo his coursework 😔

They are going to be putting on extra classes for the kids who are withdrawn so they can focus on the core subjects - maths, English etc.

I think this is a good idea as he isn't on track right now to get great grades in those either but I guess I just want to know if this is a good idea from anyone else who has had a DC in this position, is there an ulterior motive that isn't in his interests type thing etc?

He has got time to redo his coursework and the teacher said if he gives it 100% he'll get his pass. But I'm wondering if it would be better to get the extra classes given he has no interest in media as a career. Or is it better to get a pass in CM given there's no guarantee the extra classes will bump his other grades up.

Obviously I feel it should be mostly his decision but like I say I'm just wondering what others think if anyone has any experience?

Thank you!!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 02/05/2025 13:37

Is he year 10 or 11? what does he want to do?

Spies · 02/05/2025 13:37

Seems a no brainer. He is disinterested in the subject so he won't give it his all and therefore won't pass it. He would be much better focusing on his maths and English and trying to pass them.

TheNightingalesStarling · 02/05/2025 13:39

What ate his grades like in the subjects he needs to progress? If he's only scraping a 4 in English or Maths for example, then its definitely in his best interests to concentrate on them.

clary · 02/05/2025 13:48

He must be in year 10 surely so it feels a bit early to make this decision.

But the thing is with a Btec (which I think this is?) you need to keep the work going throughout the two years so if he has missed a lot, it might be too hard to catch up.

He does not need a Btec in CM at all at any time. If he drops to (?) 8 GCSEs or equivalent, or even 7, that's no biggie. No one will ever ask "what happened to the other one?"

Surely it is likely that the extra maths and English will bump his grade up – which unless he is already working at 7+ must be a good thing.

The school is offering to accommodate him dropping a subject and giving extra support (there are often threads on here asking if this is possible but a lot of schools don’t have the capacity). I’d say it’s a total no brainer to agree to it.

Original poster
Scaredofet · 02/05/2025 13:56

He's year 11

Wants to do trades as a career. So plumbing, electrical, joinery etc. He's realised he's absolutely not going to be the office based job sort. He did have an interest in media but that's well and truly sailed for a number of reasons. Teacher said he's had a few parents say that....tbh I got the feeling the school wasn't really equipped to deliver CM but we are where we are.

At the moment he's not even going to scrape a 4 in anything apart from English and Science ☹️ I've got him a tutor in maths to focus on some things there so am hoping he'll get his 4 in that, especially if he does have extra lessons at school.

Seems a no brainer to me too.

OP posts:
LoveTKO · 02/05/2025 13:57

Btec in Creative Media? Ditch it and focus on the core subjects.

OxfordInkling · 02/05/2025 13:59

Agree with the others - ditch the one he hates anyway and focus on pulling up his other grades.

i used to think that having lots of really good GCSEs mattered. But if your not trying for competitive degree courses, it really doesn’t.

stichguru · 02/05/2025 13:59

I'd agree - I am 43 and have 8 GCSEs and I have never been asked about more than English and Maths! If he doesn't especially want to go into media, he'd do better to drop the BTEC and try to get 5 good grades including maths and English. This will open up the possibility of other courses later if he wants something specific to a job. If he doesn't pass maths and English a lot of roles/course will be closed to him even if he does really well in the BTEC.

clary · 02/05/2025 14:00

He’s Year 11! Oh no chance at all of him doing the CW then and no point. If extra lessons bring up his grades in core subjects then great. Tho we are talking about two weeks. But yy no brainer. No sinister agenda from the school either.

TheNightingalesStarling · 02/05/2025 14:01

Scaredofet · 02/05/2025 13:56

He's year 11

Wants to do trades as a career. So plumbing, electrical, joinery etc. He's realised he's absolutely not going to be the office based job sort. He did have an interest in media but that's well and truly sailed for a number of reasons. Teacher said he's had a few parents say that....tbh I got the feeling the school wasn't really equipped to deliver CM but we are where we are.

At the moment he's not even going to scrape a 4 in anything apart from English and Science ☹️ I've got him a tutor in maths to focus on some things there so am hoping he'll get his 4 in that, especially if he does have extra lessons at school.

Seems a no brainer to me too.

In that case I'd definitely get him to concentrate on getting the grades needed for an apprenticeship or vocational course. He needs a 4 in Maths and English more than an art qualification.

Acc0untant · 02/05/2025 14:06

Scaredofet · 02/05/2025 13:56

He's year 11

Wants to do trades as a career. So plumbing, electrical, joinery etc. He's realised he's absolutely not going to be the office based job sort. He did have an interest in media but that's well and truly sailed for a number of reasons. Teacher said he's had a few parents say that....tbh I got the feeling the school wasn't really equipped to deliver CM but we are where we are.

At the moment he's not even going to scrape a 4 in anything apart from English and Science ☹️ I've got him a tutor in maths to focus on some things there so am hoping he'll get his 4 in that, especially if he does have extra lessons at school.

Seems a no brainer to me too.

I'm going against the grain here... If he's only going to pass English and science (presuming 2x English and double science?) that's only 4 GCSEs, in my experience you need 5 to get onto a college course and usually the same with apprenticeships.

If there's a chance he can pass this one by working harder I'd go for it, at least then he can get 5 GCSEs and apply for joinery or whatever he decides.

He'll also have to retake maths at college so if he's close to a pass in maths I'd drop CM and focus on that. I'd be really pushing the need to get 5 passes so he can at least apply for apprenticeships and trades courses at college.

springhassprun · 02/05/2025 14:14

Definitely in his best interests to focus on getting at least a 4 in English and Maths

treesandsun · 02/05/2025 14:15

I would say focus on passing 4 or 5 GCSE - maths, English and anything that he might need to progress. The idea of getting 9 or 10 is not needed for most careers or courses. Most degree courses only ask for 5 - all ask for maths and English and some specify other subjects such as science for primary teaching.
Many vocational courses will only require three to progress on to their course - so it makes sense to get them out of the way now.
For the school - him being registered and not passing affects their results so it suits them to withdraw him if he has no chance and to focus on the ones useful to him which will also affect their results.

Original poster
Scaredofet · 02/05/2025 14:17

Thanks for the sense check everyone 🥰

I've not been particularly happy with the school generally and they've had some very strange ideas and policies which is why i was a bit suspicious, but it was the best of a bad bunch, and DS has been happy there which is all that matters really.

Re: college the courses he has applied for he 'just' needs Maths and English at a 3 apparently looking at the entry requirements. He might not get his preferred course as its oversubscribed but they've said he'll definitely get on one of the trades courses. He's had to be realistic now about the level he starts at though, and that he'll probably have to resit some of the exams.

He's not a brain box but he's so kind hearted and caring and helpful in everything and gives me no bother at all, he's been a bit of a prat in school at times like avoiding homework but all his teachers have always said what a lovely young man he is. I just don't know why he's been struggling he is actually very intelligent and deep....just not with school stuff. My poor lad ☹️

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 02/05/2025 14:17

With time being very short, agree he should drop it and concentrate on the others to see if he could get 5x passes.

80smonster · 02/05/2025 14:31

Creative Media (which i believe was called Media Studies in the 90s) used to be piss easy compared to maths and english. Has that changed?

blueleavesgreensky · 02/05/2025 14:38

The great thing is he knows what he wants to do. And he knows what he dislikes. That’s a great start. That the school is putting on extra lessons is fantastic as well.

he doesn’t need a whole pile of GCSEs. No one will care. He needs his maths and English to be safe passes and enough of other things to get him onto a good apprenticeship course. Or Btech in trades. I’m sorry i don’t know much about the path ways but I know they won’t care a jot if he has 8 or 7 GCSE’s. He just needs to secure what he NEEDS. It’s fantastic that he’s managing science. That’s a great subject to support his trade goals.

catndogslife · 02/05/2025 14:40

80smonster · 02/05/2025 14:31

Creative Media (which i believe was called Media Studies in the 90s) used to be piss easy compared to maths and english. Has that changed?

BTEC Creative Media is a completely different subject to Media Studies. It's a cross between IT and a design subject. The grade boundaries are often quite high because 17 or 18 years olds also take it at college.
Media Studies has been revamped as Media GCSE and the 9-1 GCSE reforms in 2017-18 mean there is no such thing as an "easy" GCSE anymore.

Original poster
Scaredofet · 02/05/2025 14:40

80smonster · 02/05/2025 14:31

Creative Media (which i believe was called Media Studies in the 90s) used to be piss easy compared to maths and english. Has that changed?

No I believe it's still an easy pass.

Tbh I'd tried to put him off doing that because everyone knows it's an easy pass. The school didn't have many options tbh so he just went for CM as it sounded interesting and the proposed teacher spent a bit of time getting his interest up in it - he'd had that teacher for another subject for a while and really liked him. But the teacher changed and just had them watching YouTube videos of lessons so he just zoned out (whereas I'd have loved that!!)

OP posts:
blueleavesgreensky · 02/05/2025 14:42

80smonster · 02/05/2025 14:31

Creative Media (which i believe was called Media Studies in the 90s) used to be piss easy compared to maths and english. Has that changed?

It’s the amount of coursework. If it’s not been done it’s hard to catch up. It’s not necessarily about difficulty. It’s about applying oneself and getting the work done. It could be easy but if a student is disengaged and not completing coursework then it’s not something you can bone up on last minute.
school is just not right for some people. And not because they are stupid. But because it’s just not the right learning environment and not teaching things of any interest.

OP your son could have a fantastic career in the trades if he is engaged and learns well in a practical and hands on manner.

they’ll be working for decades. Taking a little longer at the start is not a failing. X

clary · 02/05/2025 14:42

80smonster · 02/05/2025 14:31

Creative Media (which i believe was called Media Studies in the 90s) used to be piss easy compared to maths and english. Has that changed?

Btec in CM is not the same as media studies GCSE and it's not piss easy tbh. Bc it's a Btec the work needs to be done throughout the course which apparently the op's ds has not done. So it's almost impossible to catch up and he'd have to work hard just as his GCSEs start abd he needs to work on them.

tortieCatLover · 02/05/2025 14:44

I would say focus on passing 4 or 5 GCSE - maths, English and anything that he might need to progress.

This - or getting the 3 needed for next course.

Honestly though I'm not sure extra lessons this close to exams will help a huge amount but they can't hurt - and it should be a few less exams and less split focus.

Mischance · 02/05/2025 14:44

Go with the school's advice, although it is unfortunate that they seem not to be very good at presenting the subject.

Need to concentrate on him getting what he needs to pursue his chosen career.

Original poster
Scaredofet · 02/05/2025 14:46

blueleavesgreensky · 02/05/2025 14:42

It’s the amount of coursework. If it’s not been done it’s hard to catch up. It’s not necessarily about difficulty. It’s about applying oneself and getting the work done. It could be easy but if a student is disengaged and not completing coursework then it’s not something you can bone up on last minute.
school is just not right for some people. And not because they are stupid. But because it’s just not the right learning environment and not teaching things of any interest.

OP your son could have a fantastic career in the trades if he is engaged and learns well in a practical and hands on manner.

they’ll be working for decades. Taking a little longer at the start is not a failing. X

Show quote history

Ahhh, thank you, I am a bit worried he's going to be seen as a 'failure' already 😔

He regularly reminds me that I didn't really flourish in my career or know what I wanted to do until I was 30, and he grew up in his early days with me doing various uni level qualifications so on one hand he isn't falling apart that he's a dead loss because he won't have masses of GCSEs but on the other it's so competitive out there now isn't it?

OP posts:
Feelingstrange2 · 02/05/2025 14:46

I did BTEC at 18 and so did my kids. We all did well but we worked our butt's off consistently.

I can understand why they can already predict that continuing isn't the best use of his study time as you do get to a point when you just cannot realistically roll back and pass as too much water has gone under the bridge. Its not like A levels and pure exam based subjects when, in theory, working hard now you might pull something off on the day. Possibly.

It's fine - I good to acknowledge when we are demotivated and turn our sights to what is more productive. The core subjects he WILL need - I've never met a builder, plumber or electrician that isn't fab at practical mathematics and science is useful too.

He needs to see this as an opportunity not a failure but equally grasp that opportunity with both hands and work hard on this new timetable