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Secondary education

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Original poster

carpentry AND physics !!!!!!!

57 replies

Tortington · 17/10/2008 09:48

ds2 is off to college next september, and this is much topic of discussion in the custy household as his twin sister is of to college too (ofcourse)

dd wants to study english and law

cool

ds wants to study carpentry and physics

w..t....f

he would have to go to two different colleges - one to study carpentry and one to study physics.

he reckons he will get 3 or 4 gcse's and i have begged him to do a-levels and go to university but hes just not interested.

but wants to study physics.

i had a holy row with him and said he had to pick on or the other.

but i am thinking - why? no harm can come of having a-level physics and he might get bitten by the college bug - maybe get some brainy friends

what say you?

OP posts:
Seeline · 17/10/2008 09:51

If that's what he wants to do, and it's physically possible (ie travelling between colleges etc) why not? My DCs are still very little, but I'm sure the principle is the same - force them to do something they don't really want to do, and you might as well have not bothered in the first place!

Original poster
Tortington · 17/10/2008 09:52

i am not altogether sure if they let you do ONE a-level.

this is v. dificult

OP posts:
PenelopePitstops · 17/10/2008 09:54

don't force him, he will never thank you ffor it, let him do it if its feasable.

AMumInScotland · 17/10/2008 09:58

Well, if it's what he feels interested and motivated to do, then I think you may as well let him - anything which catches their interest at that age has to be a good thing!

Original poster
Tortington · 17/10/2008 09:59

thanks i think your right

OP posts:
zazen · 17/10/2008 10:07

Sounds completely recession proof to me!
Let him follow his heart - think Damien Hirst!!

Original poster
Tortington · 17/10/2008 12:24

ooh yes ill take a third of a few million for mi board money

OP posts:
Bleedodgy · 17/10/2008 12:26

It sounds fine to me can you encourage him to do maths as well as physics at A level because that would go together well with the carpentry.

zazen · 17/10/2008 14:22

Funny actually as Damien Hirst's mum actually named some piece of his, the skull with diamonds, by saying "Ah Damien, 'For the Love Of God'" - here's the piece.

I can see her point!

Maybe your Ds could make a Large Collider out of wood? for when the Flood Destroys Us All

Is going to take a third subject?

Original poster
Tortington · 17/10/2008 14:26

yes maths is a great idea - and it could swing boith ways couldnt it - i dont actually think he is trying at maths.

i must ask him who his physics teacher is - and give him/her my undying gratitude and maybe a bottle of bubbly and choccies.

maths is a great idea.

and if he fails this year ( he thinks he will get a c - i dont) then he might be persuaded to re-sit

y'know the more i thnk about it - the bette this sounds.

he might go to uni yet!! yay

OP posts:
Blandmum · 17/10/2008 17:08

Custy, what grade is he predicted for his GCSE Physics?

What is he like at Maths?

3littlefrogs · 17/10/2008 17:22

Maths, physics, design technology (resistant materials) - excellent combination IMO. Could he do all of those at one college? Have you really looked at all the sixth forms in your area?

Original poster
Tortington · 17/10/2008 19:33

he is fixed on carpentry - i swear to god he drives me nuts. hes so bright aaaaaaaargh

anyway MB, to answer your question. a good parent would know predicted grades, i however have no chuffin idea. i just kinda thought he must be doing ok

OP posts:
Blandmum · 17/10/2008 20:42

On average I tend to find that most kids will drop a grade when they hoit A level. So A* kids get an A etc. there is some variability (naturally) but this is a good rule of thumb thingie.

Doing A level physics without doing maths (or at least being quite good at maths) is tough. I did this and had to bust a gut to try and keep up.

If he doesn't get a C in maths because he didn't work consistanly it is one thing, if he doesn't get it because he isn't good at maths (I scraped a C) he will find the A level course very tough to follow. Sorry if that is a downer.

If he gets a job using carpentry skills he'll buy and sell me several times over!

3littlefrogs · 17/10/2008 23:29

Having a talent/practical skills doesn't mean you cannot be very bright.

Ds1 is exceptionally bright - he was considered gifted at school. However, he dislikes academic studies and is fantastic at building/fixing anything and everything. His A level grades weren't brilliant by any means, but he has got onto a course that requires lots of practical skills, and he has found his niche.

Your Ds sounds as if he has a talent and a desire to use it. Carpentry is a valuable skill - no-body is moving house any more - they are all looking for people to do home improvements. He will probably be very successful!

Original poster
Tortington · 18/10/2008 00:12

CHEERS!

predicted B in physics! je suis v. impressed!

e in science though - how the feck does that work?

rhetorical

OP posts:
ScummyMummy · 18/10/2008 00:20

I think carpentry and physics sounds great!

Original poster
Tortington · 18/10/2008 01:02

ahhh your a gem
x

OP posts:
zazen · 18/10/2008 02:32

Is your son Jesus Custy? The Messiah!

A carpenter who's into trans-substantiation / moving through space time continuum?

Does he have a beard, and a penchant for sandals? Is he magic in the kitchen, rustling up meals from little or nothing, and wine from water?

Are there days when He's 'gone fishing'?

zazen · 18/10/2008 02:36

Seriously, I think it sounds great - I studied building construction, metalwork, and technical drawing, as well as more serious academic subjects.

Eventually ended up studying Science in Uni. But still like the fact I'm not intimidated by a bit of DIY. We had to matriculate in maths to study Physics.

I only wish I had trained as a plumber!!!

Original poster
Tortington · 18/10/2008 11:47

pmsl - he calls himself jesus. seriously.

he wanted jesus for his confirmation hame but the proest ouldnt allow it - not sure why. but he wouldn't have just any old saint - he wait straight for the top!

OP posts:
Blandmum · 18/10/2008 12:48

PMSL. I [heart] your son and would give almost anything to have seen the priest face when he suggested that!

LOLOLOLOL

lazymumofteenagesons · 18/10/2008 17:13

physics, maths and DT a levels sound a really good combination. BUT, word of warning re. GCSE grades - if they are low (Cs) because he didn't do much work, then he may be OK. But i'd be very cautious about doing maths or physics with anything below a B. DS1 just started AS maths and finds it challenging - if he loses concentration in class then he suffers and he got an a*!

Also, how come he is doing science and physics gcse what does this mean?

Blandmum · 18/10/2008 17:20

I thinbk that it probably means that he is getting B's in the physics modules of his Sceince GCSE, but overall is getting a C grade, but obv I don't know that.

We try not to let kids do any A levels with a lower grade than a B. Obv we do make exceptions. based on the specific kids

mumeeee · 18/10/2008 17:26

If it is possible let him do what he wants to,