Taking 2 DT GCSEs
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Re: Taking 2 DT GCSEs
Options choices have now gone in. Both textiles and PD are on the list.
We spoke to both teachers at the parents evening. Both were happy with DD doing their subject, especially the textiles teacher as DD has shown herself to be very capable. Both warned her that doing both would mean she would have to be organised as deadlines are the same. They would both be keeping a close eye. The textiles teacher also said she wouldn't encourage her own son to do more than one (he is also choosing options this year but at a different school). I'm certainly not encouraging it, but have accepted it's what she wants to do. Whether they fit in with everyone else is another matter.
She has been encouraged to do all her work on the computer to aid rewrites, plus her writing isn't the neatest in the world.
She already has more than a passing interest in Pinterest. I'm still trying to decide whether that's a good thing.
Just to cap it all, she has told me she knows what she wants to take at A level
Maths, chemistry, German and textiles. Textiles is the only tech they offer at A level.
We spoke to both teachers at the parents evening. Both were happy with DD doing their subject, especially the textiles teacher as DD has shown herself to be very capable. Both warned her that doing both would mean she would have to be organised as deadlines are the same. They would both be keeping a close eye. The textiles teacher also said she wouldn't encourage her own son to do more than one (he is also choosing options this year but at a different school). I'm certainly not encouraging it, but have accepted it's what she wants to do. Whether they fit in with everyone else is another matter.
She has been encouraged to do all her work on the computer to aid rewrites, plus her writing isn't the neatest in the world.
She already has more than a passing interest in Pinterest. I'm still trying to decide whether that's a good thing.
Just to cap it all, she has told me she knows what she wants to take at A level
Maths, chemistry, German and textiles. Textiles is the only tech they offer at A level.
Re: Taking 2 DT GCSEs
My DC did all his Tech coursework on the computer using A3 format they seem to prefer; only diagrams/drawing were hand drawn. Even then the drawings were scanned so labels could be added using textboxes.
I'm sure it's best to let them choose what they prefer - she'll be fine
I'm sure it's best to let them choose what they prefer - she'll be fine
Re: Taking 2 DT GCSEs
Did she also choose music as that can be quite time consuming too.Tinkers wrote:Options choices have now gone in. Both textiles and PD are on the list.
At the beginning of GCSE's my DD didn't really know what she wanted to do beyond GCSE. She liked making stuff so was doing DT. In DT she was encouraged to apply for an Arkwright scholarship, which she managed to get.Tinkers wrote: Just to cap it all, she has told me she knows what she wants to take at A level
Maths, chemistry, German and textiles. Textiles is the only tech they offer at A level.
This sort of pointed her in the direction of engineering.. which she is now studying at university.
The reason I mention this is, although its a while yet, depending on how she finds her GCSE's she may want to think about what she wants to do after school as those A levels may limit her choices. If she likes tech stuff, then some type of engineering is a logical next step, in which case physics would be useful. However plenty of time to think about that.
Re: Taking 2 DT GCSEs
She actually wants to be an architect. No specific A levels required for that though they like maths and/or art. A creative tech subject is also well liked apparently, but they usually ask for a portfolio of work regardless of A levels anyway.
She doesn't want to be an engineer, we are both engineers, so she knows the score and so do we. Chemistry is her favourite of the sciences. She isn't so keen on physics. Maybe that will change.
And yes she has also chosen music, though with the new GCSE I'm not sure about how the coursework will pan out. Her piano teacher is also a qualified music teacher, so he will also be able to help with that if needs be. The school run a music composition club for those taking music at GCSE and A level. If she didn't do the music GCSE, then she would be choosing to do grade exams instead. She hasn't done any so far.
Ultimately they're the subjects she likes and wants to do.
She doesn't want to be an engineer, we are both engineers, so she knows the score and so do we. Chemistry is her favourite of the sciences. She isn't so keen on physics. Maybe that will change.
And yes she has also chosen music, though with the new GCSE I'm not sure about how the coursework will pan out. Her piano teacher is also a qualified music teacher, so he will also be able to help with that if needs be. The school run a music composition club for those taking music at GCSE and A level. If she didn't do the music GCSE, then she would be choosing to do grade exams instead. She hasn't done any so far.
Ultimately they're the subjects she likes and wants to do.
Re: Taking 2 DT GCSEs
Well it was a mute point in the end. The three tech subjects all got put into one block as very few (DD thinks just a couple of them) wanted to do more than one.
As a result she got her first reverse choice of ICT instead of PD. We both know it's not a well thought of subject, but she will be taking 11 and in the past most girls taking it got A* in ICT.
She is a bit disappointed but relieved not to have got French as her reserve.
As a result she got her first reverse choice of ICT instead of PD. We both know it's not a well thought of subject, but she will be taking 11 and in the past most girls taking it got A* in ICT.
She is a bit disappointed but relieved not to have got French as her reserve.
Re: Taking 2 DT GCSEs
That's crazy timetabling - all the GCSE Tech classes on at once?! I'd never schedule that for a number of reasons e.g. access to IT, practical resources e.g. printing etc.
Re: Taking 2 DT GCSEs
That's not really an issue. In the past they have always been timetabled together anyway as all the girls had to do one (but only one) tech and that included ICT as a tech as well.
Re: Taking 2 DT GCSEs
They must have loads of A3 printers to cope with coursework - how many practical rooms do they have? I can't see how it doesn't restrict access to specialist facilities.
Re: Taking 2 DT GCSEs
If anything it's less of a problem as now not all girls will do a tech. I have no idea how many printers etc they have. They seem to cope fine. It's not a big school.