GCSE Workload - STEM subjects

[Sazzlesw2]

We've just had Ds's parents evening for options and found out that he will be doing Further Maths. He would also like to do Triple Science and Computer Science

Talking to the Computer Science teacher made me think about his workload and if it would be manageable. He is very Stem minded and has breezed through these subjects so far.

His would also take History, Spanish, RE (compulsory) and English

His only other idea for the free choice would be Geography, anything Arty would be a no go

Oh and he has no idea what he wants to do at A Level / Degree!

Further maths is generally by invite only at most schools. Schools vary in how they do it - some put all the top set in and do it in lesson time others make it optional and have a session once a week either before or after school.

The topics are broadly the same as gcse maths just harder versions so the dc that do further maths generally do better in gcse maths aswell.

So is that 11 GCSEs (yes I know that FM is not a GCSE but it's the same level)? That's a lot (more than the vast majority of YP take) but if maths + FM will be a breeze (presumably so, or he wouldn't be picked to take it) then it should be fine.

If he is not keen on anything creative (PE? DT? drama? food tech?) then his choices sound fine. A lot of work but as long as he consolidates as he goes through year 10 it should be fine; he is clearly able.

As a STEM person, with STEM kids, it will be fine.

Maths is likely a breeze, FM and physics will have significant portions that wont phase him.

If he is happy with History and essays, go for it. If essays aren't his thing, he might find Geography a better fit.

Thanks everyone that's helped put my mind at easy

Essays are something he needs to work on, he has all the answers but needs to work on putting it down on paper.

History is the subject he enjoys the most and his teacher seemed really happy that he was going to do it so I take that as a good sign

His choices sound fine, if he is STEM minded he should find the workload manageable.
The further maths is an extra thing so he can always drop it if it’s too much, but it’s a good thing to do if he is likely to do maths A level.

Sounds totally fine, ours did similar. So your school
has 10 GCSEs plus further maths, so 4 “options” CS, History, Spanish and RE. Good balance of stem and humanities, he should get practise through the RE, English and history of churning out timed essays, and hopefully if he’s been selected for FM that should be fine too - they can usually cover the material faster for maths and then FM in top set classes.

So I’ve counted 12 GCSEs — assuming English is two GCSEs - am I right?

maths
FM
biology
chemistry
physics
CS
Eng lang
Eng lit
Spanish
history
RE (is this sat in Y10?)
geography

There is no problem with the STEM Workload per se - and I have a friend whose dc achieved 12 GCSE’s including the STEM subjects you mention but did music instead of the extra humanity.

that is a high volume of content -12 GCSE’s is a lot. Is there no possibility to drop geography and pick up something easier - business studies for example?

Thanks.

His school has been pushing revision techniques since Y7 so by the time we get to Y11 it should be second nature

The Geography would be instead of CS so only 11 GCSEs,

We looked at Business Studies and it looked really boring and I say that as someone who has a degree in it and runs my own business!

Does the school teach triple science in the same time as 2 alternate options, or in the same time as 3 alternate options?

If it's the same time as 3 other options, I think the workload for triple science, for a scientifically minded child can actually be less than 3 other options- history, art for example have a lot higher workload.

My last two schools have done FM as an out of class option, one doesn’t provide any teaching for it. DD’s school just did it in lessons for the top set. So usually that isn’t much extra. If they’re doing FM, I agree that the maths won’t require much effort. It sounds like he’s at a high achieving school so this should all work fine.

Triple Science has an extra lesson a week, but he currently has that as he got into school on a specialist place which provision with an extra language (he doesn't need to carry that on) so it will feel normal to him.

FM will be taught alongside normal Maths as he is top set.