How many GCSE's...
Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators
How many GCSE's...
... are your grammar school children doing? I'm trying to find out what's average. At my dd's school they do 10, and have to get special permission to do any more. I think that's fine - 10 seems more than enough to me, but my brother has got a bee in his bonnet about other schools doing more, so I'm information gathering!
-
- Posts: 3767
- Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:12 am
- Location: Berkshire
-
- Posts: 511
- Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:07 pm
My DD is doing 12 - they do 12 or 13 if in top 2 groups for for science and maths, 11 if not.
I think it's far too many - not necessary and detrimental. It means that she has had to prioritise and some subjects just get the minimum amount of time spent on them. Homework is very time consuming and coursework hasn't been completely phased out yet.
Of course for the fantastically gifted it is probably interesting and not that stressful - several get 12 or more A*s every year - but for most it is too much.
My DS is about to make GCSE options, I am already trying to insist he does not take a language as he is shockingly bad at them. I want him to concentrate on English, which he is at risk of failing. As he is brilliant at science he will probably have to take 12!
Other DC at secondary modern gets to choose 9 traditional, academic GCSEs - much more manageable.
I think it's far too many - not necessary and detrimental. It means that she has had to prioritise and some subjects just get the minimum amount of time spent on them. Homework is very time consuming and coursework hasn't been completely phased out yet.
Of course for the fantastically gifted it is probably interesting and not that stressful - several get 12 or more A*s every year - but for most it is too much.
My DS is about to make GCSE options, I am already trying to insist he does not take a language as he is shockingly bad at them. I want him to concentrate on English, which he is at risk of failing. As he is brilliant at science he will probably have to take 12!
Other DC at secondary modern gets to choose 9 traditional, academic GCSEs - much more manageable.
-
- Posts: 2113
- Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:16 pm
Haven't got a clue!! hopefully will have on Tues (parents evening)
Ds is taking 12 subjects (inc Eng lit & Lang, Phys,Chem.Biology)
supposed to be doing an ECDL???? in ICT and had to take a MFL so chose Spanish as the least worse....... he would drop it if poss.
Ds is taking 12 subjects (inc Eng lit & Lang, Phys,Chem.Biology)
supposed to be doing an ECDL???? in ICT and had to take a MFL so chose Spanish as the least worse....... he would drop it if poss.
[img]http://sl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/748/748895c3fyugpiju.gif[/img]
-
- Posts: 851
- Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:55 pm
- Location: Bexley
Chad - you're not the only one who doesn't know! I've been reading this thread feeling rather uncomfortable that I can't actually produce an exact figure! In my day I did 9 'O levels' over the course of what is now KS4 and an extra one with my A'levels. (My sister did 13 O'levels which seems a bit excessive!) Nowadays, they start their GCSE's in KS3 and start AS levels in KS4 so I'm thoroughly confused!
DS1 is in Yr 10 and will have finished DT, ICT, Core Science, RS and Citizenship by the end of this year and Maths at the start of Y11. I know Citizenship and RS only count as half GCSE's. I don't know if he'll do 2 sciences or 3 in Y11. I know he has to do an AS level in Y11 but I don't know if that will take up any spare capacity or if he'll have to do another GCSE as well.
So, like you, I haven't got a clue!
DS1 is in Yr 10 and will have finished DT, ICT, Core Science, RS and Citizenship by the end of this year and Maths at the start of Y11. I know Citizenship and RS only count as half GCSE's. I don't know if he'll do 2 sciences or 3 in Y11. I know he has to do an AS level in Y11 but I don't know if that will take up any spare capacity or if he'll have to do another GCSE as well.
So, like you, I haven't got a clue!
-
- Posts: 851
- Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:55 pm
- Location: Bexley
Chad - meant to say, the ECDL is the European/International Computer Driving Licence. They do it at my sons' school instead of ICT GCSE. I think when you've completed it it's equivalent to a B at GCSE. There are 8 modules to pass over two years, but some kids rattle it off in a year and then presumably do something else in year 11.