GCSE options

Discussion and advice on GCSEs

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now
Bexley Mum 2
Posts: 851
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:55 pm
Location: Bexley

GCSE options

Post by Bexley Mum 2 »

My Y9 son seems to be under the impression that when he comes to choose his GCSE options, he will have to choose between French and Art. Is that likely? I understand they have to do one language and French is the only one he enjoys (or should I say doesn't dislike), but he also likes Art. I'd have thought that any subject clashes would be in less popular subjects.

Also, he would really like to do GCSE music but has only been playing an instrument for about six months (the cello). One of his friends told me he thought you had to be grade 4 to do music GCSE - anybody know what the norm is?

We'll find out from the school in due course no doubt, but we've just been chatting about it so I can't help mulling it over!
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Post by Guest55 »

Hi,

Schools offer options in different ways- there may be some clues on their website e.g. a booklet. I would have thought Art and French would be possible.

For music the guidelines are grade 3 but most schools do take on others as there are only a few marks allocated to the 'difficulty' of the perfomance piece.
solimum
Posts: 1420
Joined: Wed May 09, 2007 3:09 pm
Location: Solihull, West Midlands

Post by solimum »

Schools offer options in different ways
...and the same school can offer different options in different years - my eldest went through at a time when everyone had to do a design/ tech option and IT, then one each from humanities and arts blocks, two languages (actually one full and one short course), Statistics as well as Maths and double science: next son had fewer restrictions on the humanities/ arts / ICT combinations but compulsory short course RE, third child can do triple science and could choose any three optional extras but had to list six in order of preference (plus the compulsory 1/2 RE, 1/2 ICT & two languages etc) and is taking some early... There are different compulsory subjects if the school has a specialism, and the flexibility of other combinations depends on the ingenuity of the timetabler and the size of classrooms....
bestpossibleoutcome
Posts: 83
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:35 am

Post by bestpossibleoutcome »

My daughter (now year 10) had to have passed her grade 5 music theory exam before being allowed to take the music GCSE option. However, one of the teachers at her school took her from virtually zero to grade 5 between February of year 8 to the exam the following November. She didn't play an instrument, although she does have singing lessons and is now happily teaching herself to play guitar and tinkers around on the keyboard. This just goes to show that all things are possible if your child is really keen! We recently purchased the keyboard on ebay and it has been essential for her homework. Having said all of this, I also know that some schools don't require any previous knowledge. Since discussing this with a Head of Music at another school, I believe it depends on the course followed by the school.

Hope this helps and you get the options you want,

best wishes, BPO
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Post by Guest55 »

There may be a diploma on offer too next year :lol:
Bexley Mum 2
Posts: 851
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:55 pm
Location: Bexley

Post by Bexley Mum 2 »

Goodness, it's a minefield. Thanks for all the advice. I seem to have spent so long finding out about 11+ and secondary schools admissions, it's a bit daunting to be facing another complex school issue that I know nothing about!
bestpossibleoutcome
Posts: 83
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:35 am

Post by bestpossibleoutcome »

I didn't realise one music GCSE was different to any other until I said to the HOD "Wow, I'm really impressed that you've managed to get all of these students through their grade 5 music theory".

:oops: BPO
yoyo123
Posts: 8099
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: East Kent

Post by yoyo123 »

my son is doing music GCSE and plays the drums, he was told he did not have to have a grade in that instrument, but he is finding it a bit of a struggle. Not helped by the fact that his group at KS3 never learnt to read music and of course reading drum music is different
bestpossibleoutcome
Posts: 83
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:35 am

Post by bestpossibleoutcome »

Music at DD's school could either have been an option during the day or an extra subject after school. As far as I know, no-one opted to do it during the day. Everyone else plays an instrument other than my daughter who sings. I think she was encouraged to do music as she seems to 'have a good ear'. This was the reason for her working towards grade 5 theory because doing GCSE was a strong possibility.
BPO
jah
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:31 pm

Post by jah »

You cannot get maximum marks for your Music GCSE practical unless your piece is at Grade 4 standard. However, could be better to do a Grade 3 piece well, than a Grade 4 piece badly. No advantage to doing a Grade 5 piece or higher. So DD, who had passed Grade 5 reverted to one of her GRade 4 pieces for her GCSE.

More to the point is the Composition. This requires a lot of work to get a good grade. My daughter went into school most days last Easter hols to get hers done.
Post Reply
11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now