Has anyone succeeded in persuading school to change GCSE options offered? And how much does private schooling cost?

[diydemon]

It was the Yr 9 options evening last night - the first time they'd dared to reveal the options columns to parents and pupils.

And our misgivings were confirmed - they've broadened the range of subjects to include lots more BTECs including media studies, hair and beauty, sociology.

As well as the core subjects, dd has to choose one from each of 5 columns.

4 choices are ok (ish), but there's nothing in the 5th column she wants to do - the choice is:
-Triple science (she will definitely do double, but she doesn't want triple after seeing her sister struggle with it, also the school has been told to improve science and maths teaching)
-AS level music (she'd need grade 5, only has grade 3 and stopped playing in primary school and doesn't really want to pick it up again),

• Or a load of what we (and she) consider to be Mickey Mouse subjects - non-academic (BTEC) ones where she has no interest and would likely be in with a bunch of disruptive kids.

Ideally, if they could move Art GCSE from the column where it clashes with History (she'd love to do both), or allow her to study Art externally (we'd arrange that and pay) and sit in the back of the art class and get on with work for that while others are doing their 5th column options, she'd be happy, problem solved.

But the headteacher is adamant she has to choose a 5th column option, and that the options columns are a fait accompli not a consultation document.

She doesn't really want to move schools - very happy there with good friends - but this seems the only option if she wants to do the subjects she'd like.

Has anyone had any luck in persuading a school to be more flexible? How did you do it? Or did you come up with an alternative arrangement?

Finally, how much does private day school cost on average? I'm seriously contemplating looking into taking her out of state sector because of the political interference that is forcing them to offer so many non-academic subjects - it might suit those who are non-academic, but imo is penalising the academic ones.

good luck with everything - but just wanted to let you know that my son did GSCE music a year early and is now doing AS level and finding it tough. He's about grade 7ish on violin and enjoys it, but the performance is about 30 per cent of the exam. He's always been very able at music but found AS more of a challenge. Though maybe is general teenage disengagement with anything to do with exams...

Just to reinterate what Burroo said. The bar is massively oversubscribed, which means the best chambers can take their pick.

There will be plenty of candidates with good degrees from good unis ( as said, many won't be in law - but consider also that this will add another year's study so will increase costs accordingly).

To get on a good degree at a good uni, you will need good A levels. Which in turn require good GCSEs.

This is why it pisses me off when folk say choices don't matter. They do.

Music A Level is a well respected A level. Music Tech - errr not really.

I am a music teacher and continually have to fight for my subject. Music is an academic subject.

It's "proper" music A level (I did it myself) rather than music tech.

But one of the heads of year has left a message on my phone to say she wouldn't be allowed to do it.

So, basically, the only "proper" subject on that list they will allow her to do is triple science.

I'm becoming increasingly more annoyed. I looked at the website of the sister Welsh medium school a few miles down the road and they offer history in 3 columns and art in two (but don't offer Spanish, they do German, so she wouldn't be able to go there).

The teacher who left the message has said he'll talk to her tomorrow - but I can't see that he can offer anything suitable.

Really don't know what to do other than to look at other schools, including private - though she's not keen to leave her friends.

My ds has just done his options (form handed in a few weeks ago) and last night had a crisis about one of his choices. I phoned the school today and they were more than happy for him to change it at this late stage and, in fact, took him aside and talked him through his options.

Ironically, this all arose because he initially wanted to do product design but it was withdrawn due to a lack of takers.

The column your dd has to choose from does seem very limited. Popular subjects like history, art and geography were in all the columns for my ds, but it is a big school.

Personally, I would go for Sociology - I think the notion of it being a weak subject is outdated. It has relevance to many future careers and would develop skills that are useful for a barrister. AS Music would be very hard if she hasn't played an instrument for 3 years. Good luck!

Sociology as a subject at undergraduate or above is obviously well regarded. The problem is at GCSE it is considered 'Mickey Mouse' and I think even at A level it is on the weaker list that cambridge has on its website. Seriously, art, drama and especially music are taken much more seriously. And as others have said choices at this level do matter. They make sure the doors are kept open for future choices.