Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

DT choices - year 9 - advice/help please!

15 replies

niftyfifty · 23/06/2010 19:03

DS is going to year 9 in September. He has to list his preference for 5 'specialist areas' within Design and Technology, and will hopefully be able to concentrate on his top 2 in year 9. Anyone know if Food Technology actually involves any cooking? Or is it more to do with designing packaging etc? He thinks that it will help him be independent when he gets older but I'm not so sure! The form needs to be returned ASAP so any advice will be gratefully received

OP posts:
RespectTheDoughnut · 23/06/2010 19:05

Food tech is a bit of both - lots of cooking, but lots of theoretical stuff too, like how food is mass produced, hygiene & product design.

EccentricaGallumbits · 23/06/2010 19:05

food tech is planning and cooking.

EccentricaGallumbits · 23/06/2010 19:06

she said it so much better than i did.

Original poster
niftyfifty · 23/06/2010 19:10

Thanks - he seems quite keen to do the cooking which might prove useful but I was a bit worried that these days it might only be the design and packaging etc. Wasn't like that in my day!!

OP posts:
JGBMum · 23/06/2010 19:10

Both of my DSs had to choose a tech option at GCSE. DS1 chose graphics - that is lots of designing packages, display stand etc. Uses lots of CAD, and helps to be able to draw diagrams.

DS2 has chosen resistant materials, and spends his lessons using the laser cutter, and other highly technical equipment to design a product, rather than the display case, iyswim.

Sorry, I know thats not exactly answered your question, but I thought it might be helpful to understand some of the other options that our sons had.

RespectTheDoughnut · 23/06/2010 19:11

Well he'll bring home whatever he makes

Original poster
niftyfifty · 23/06/2010 19:17

JGB - He's looking at resistant materials as one of the two choices so thanks for that. I suggested graphics rather than food tech but that's currently number 4 out of his list of 5 and it's supposed to be his choice not mine ... I can't help but think he's seeing food tech as an easy option.

Respect - I didn't think of that!!! That makes it more appealing to me

OP posts:
JGBMum · 23/06/2010 19:21

I know it's very early to be thinking about it, but does your DS have any idea on the A levels, or FE he wants to do?

Both of mine are interested in engineering, so graphics and resistant materials are a good fit for them.

Original poster
niftyfifty · 23/06/2010 19:26

No, he doesn't really at the moment. He talks about joining the police but that's about it. He's an August birthday (going off subject a bit now, sorry!) and therefore one of the youngest in the class. I do worry that he is too young to make sensible decisions about the subjects he studies but it's hard to try and guide him yet not impose (or try to!) my choices on him.

OP posts:
JGBMum · 23/06/2010 19:43

I think the lack of sense by most 14 year olds is the reason that schools dictate so many of the GCSE choices, so that they all have a wide range of GCSEs at the end of Y11.

Tbh, I would let him do whichever he thinks he will enjoy most (assuming he gets his first choice, of course)......

Original poster
niftyfifty · 23/06/2010 19:53

I agree with you and will let him choose but it seems that they have to make choices earlier and earlier these days. He's already had to make quite a few choices regarding studying for GCSE's. He is 12 at the moment, will be 13 (just) when he goes into year 9, which is why I say he is too young to make an informed choice.

Nothing's set in stone though, I realise that, and in fact I've done more studying since I left school than I did while I was there .

OP posts:
DITDOT · 23/06/2010 20:03

Have posted on the education thread!!

Original poster
niftyfifty · 23/06/2010 20:14

Thank you Ditdot - I posted there before I found the Secondary education thread

I think I will take up your suggestion & speak to the school. He's done some cooking this year which he prefers to the non-practical element. I suppose I am just a bit worried about him choosing this because he sees it as an 'easy' option (no offence intended). That seems to be his way of thinking a lot of the time lately - typical 12 year old boy. To my mind you deserve a medal for teaching that age group!

OP posts:
wolfbrother · 24/06/2010 08:00

Be careful choosing the second and third choices too. Food tech is massively oversubscribed at our school. A lot of kids get their second choice, if food tech is the first choice, especially if the second choice is one of the more unpopular tech subjects and the school needs more in those classes...

Having said that, a friend's son didn't get food tech (1st choice) and was persuaded to do electronics, as the class was too small, and he's been perfectly happy with this.

Original poster
niftyfifty · 24/06/2010 19:40

He took the form back today - resistant materials 1st choice, food tech 2nd, but have just scoured his school bag and found it's still in there! Will remind him AGAIN to give it in tomorrow. Thanks to all for your comments & advice

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page