GCSE Options

[Snowdrops]

No it's not a statutory exam.

My dd 'has' to 'do' PE, but isn't taking an exam in it.

[Fran17]

They are still young; they have to choose, which is hard, but it is the beginning of adulthood.

Well said Moved. I think the best we can do is gather as much information as we can, give them well informed, sensible advice, help to guide them but leave the final decision to them, hard as that might be.

I wish Drama had been on offer when I was at school. I would have jumped at the chance of doing it.

[Looking for help]

It's actually quite hard to do well in. The practicals are very strictly marked and moderated. Drama teachers tend to be on the kinder side of life and are lenient in terms of marking, and moderation ends up going against them. They think they are dead certs for an A, and then they drop a grade. Both my daughters got B at GCSE, but the one who did A Level got an A - but it is slightly different for A Level, there is a heavier weighting I think towards the written exam. (40% written and 60% practical AQA GCSE) and the reverse for A Level.

[Fran17]

I should have mentioned. A friend's daughter who is in her final Year at Cambridge did Drama at GCSE.

[Ally]

Sport is one of the school specialism. Looking at this years exam results there appears to be spilt 45% / 55% doing GCSE / BTEC

[Pumpkin Pie]

Just wondered what your thoughts were of taking Latin?

[moved]

Go for it. DD is really sorry she dropped it. DS finds it a challenge, meaning interesting!