GCSE Choices - Computer Science and?

[SometimesYouWinSometimesYouLearn]

I have a little IT nerd at home. Now finishing Y7 but time flies fast! Obviously, he will be taking Computer Science as optional subject.

If you have a similar child, what were his/hers choices? What did the select for EBaccs?

This is going to be completely school dependent on how options are done! DD considered CS but eventually went for Spanish instead. Her other two choices were Aninal Care and Geography. They had two free choices and one from History, Geography, Spanish and French.

She is also doing Triple (Separate) Science as she is top set for Science.

It will depend a lot on what restrictions the school puts on choices.

It depends on what the school offers and how they combine those options. My child has taken Mandarin, Business Studies, and Statistics alongside Computer Science. Mandarin was because the school wanted a language option for that "slot", and my child is also doing Triple Science.

The Ebacc is really a consideration for the school, and not something I would factor in for an individual child where it's more important that they choose subjects they are good at and are interested in.

DS has a friend like this. He did triple science and further maths. He's now doing physics, maths and computer science at A-Level with a view to going to do computer engineering at university.
Things could easily change in two years though so I wouldn't worry about it yet. DS was deadset on being a police officer in year 7. He's now planning on sound and lighting engineering at uni next year.

Ebacc is neither here nor there. Many schools insist on it or advise it but it makes no difference to the child. Obvs if MFL A level is a plan then you need to take GCSE, but otherwise the main benefit of choosing Ebacc subjects is that you have a spread of subjects (which is a good thing).

There are not so many GCSE subjects that relate to computing. Some schools offer FM or stats. Many do not. If your DC’s school does then these may be worth doing – but not essential. If he plans to take computing as a degree, I cannot stress enough that he should do maths A level and probably FM as well. More important than CS at A level tbh.

So any essential subjects – sciences, maths – he will be taking at GCSE anyway.

The other thing to do is lots of programming out of school. Good for development of skills and also good for personal statement when it comes to uni applications.

Computer Science
& Triple science
Spanish
Drama
Further Maths
Stats

Is your child going to do A levels with the thought of preparation to IT studies? I am looking for choices for those who will then study A levels towards IT subjects.

Yes, depends on offer at specific school.

Is FM a separate subject at GCSE? His set is doing FM program during Math lessons as I heard and final exams in Y7 included it. He is Y7

Sorry I am totally new to GCSE world.

No IT quals now really at GCSE or A level. As I said, best A level choices for CS are maths, FM and CS. A fourth is often required by schools with FM but that could be whatever interests the student. Maths and FM most important and obvs maths is compulsory at GCSE so that's all good. Just let him pick what he enjoys fir the few choices he will have at GCSE.

ETA yes FM is a separate GCSE but not all schools offer it. If it's there tjo it can only be a good one to take if interested in maths and CS.

At my ds's school, FM and stats is offered as an option to the most capable math students at the beginning of y10. Before that there is only maths.

I doubt it will change much. He has Excelling grade so two grades higher that Expected grade at CS. He is second set from the top but not that excellent at anything else- meeting targets but not exceeding or excelling. But of course, I have no idea what subject he will exactly take. So I am thinking how to help him by paying attention to specific subject in my support

@SometimesYouWinSometimesYouLearn my child is 13 and isn't yet at all decided about what A level choices will be, or degree subject! But, definitely something in the Maths, Further Maths, Science or Computing territory without a doubt. A levels will likely be Maths and Further Maths, and not sure about what the other choices might be. Could be Physics, Chem, or Computing at the moment.

DS had four options and chose C, Triple Science, History and Spanish. This just happened to work with the subject blocking.

Check nearer the time that the Comp Sci department at school is decent.
Our charismatic and influential IT head left when my DS was in Year 10, and his teacher only taught half the course to her class. Comp Sci teachers are hard to come by.
Obviously if he is really interested, he'll be able to do the course himself.

A couple of DC friends are doing Creative imedia alongside CS, but maths is without a doubt the most important for A Level, and so needs a good grade at GCSE.

Fwiw, my eldest, who's just completed his A-levels and will study Computer science with AI at uni - didn't have the option of doing computer science at all but the college was only interested in his maths/ FM grades.

My middle child who has just finished his GCSE's did do computer science and he really enjoyed it but he isn't really at a distinct advantage over his older brother who enjoyed it as a hobby.

It depends how prescriptive your school choices are. Ours were compulsory maths, English language and lit, triple science and 1 language, then either history or geography and 1 free choice which could be CS. Further Maths offered after school but we had to pay for the lessons and exam.

At a state school?

same here. DS2 is about to go into yr 11 and has been offered FM as an additional GCSE as he will take maths in November and is predicted an 8.

Yes, state comprehensive. Lower sets do double science not triple so have 2 options I forgot to add.

That seems really unfair. I had no idea that some students are being put at this kind of disadvantage.in some schools.

What disadvantage?

Well, this additional barrier in which you can only hope that your parents can fork out to afford to do a GCSE that is being provided for free at other state schools. Especially when a further maths GCSE is hugely helpful in transitioning to A-level maths.

I guess you just assume your own experience is the standard experience until you know otherwise.

Sure. I am asking about GCSE options and not A levels

He has tutoring 1 h per week since the beginning of Y 7 in CS , practical side that is programming

Oh I see. Some schools don't offer it at all though, or offer it but hardly put any teaching time to it.
Some schools let you do 2 MFL whilst others only permit 1.
Schools can't offer everything, so it just depends whether their restrictions impact you or not.

I read on here recently of a DC being able to do animal care as part of options. My DD would have loved that...