The parents' guide to secondary school: GCSE options

There are three ‘core subjects’ that children have to study in KS4, with the vast majority going on to take GCSEs in these subjects. These are:
 

• English
• Maths
• Science

Students in Welsh secondary schools also have to study Welsh (for native speakers) or Welsh second language.

In addition, students have to study three ‘foundation subjects’ at this level, but they don’t necessarily take GCSEs in them:
 

• Citizenship
• Computing
• PE

All schools are also required to provide religious education and sex and relationships education in KS4, but students don’t have to take GCSEs in these subjects.

Many students (and parents) are surprised by how limited their GCSE options are. For example, although English, maths and science are the only mandatory GCSEs, schools might make other key subjects, such as history or geography and a modern language, compulsory.

Pupils will be limited by the range of subjects offered by the school. If a subject has proved unpopular in the past, with poor take-up at GCSE level, a school may decide not to offer it any more. The more obscure or vocational subjects, such as law and electronics, are less likely to be offered than foundation subjects like design and technology, history and geography. The subjects on offer will also be influenced by the specialisms of the teachers; for example, the modern language GCSEs available will depend on the teachers’ main languages. If there’s a course that your child is desperate to do and it isn’t offered at their school, they may be able to study it elsewhere, such as an another nearby school or a local college.

Some options may be influenced by your child’s aptitude and ability. For example, it’s quite common for only the brightest students to be allowed to take triple science GCSE. Timetabling also plays a part; for instance, if music and drama lessons take place at the same time, your child will have to choose which subject they’d rather study.

In some respects, your child’s GCSE options may seem relatively unimportant; after all, they can specialise later at A level or at university. But although their GCSE choices are unlikely to have much impact on their future direction, it still pays to invest some time in making the right choices.

Many Year 9 children have no idea what career they might eventually go into, and if this is the case, it makes sense for your child to choose as broad a range of subjects as possible. A good rule of thumb to keep their future options open is to take at least one subject from each of the four entitlement areas, on top of the core subjects. Universities often prefer applicants who have a wide range of GCSEs in conventional subjects such as history, geography and the sciences, rather than more specialist subjects like media studies or psychology.

If your child does already have a career in mind, or is leaning towards studying a certain subject at GCSE, encourage them to look at the entry requirements for a university course or other training in that area. Taking specific subjects may put them at an advantage when they’re applying for further education.

If your child thinks they might want to take a science-related subject later on, it’s sensible for them to take at least double science at GCSE. Some schools and colleges won’t let students take science A levels unless they have double or triple science GCSE.

Perhaps the most important thing, though, is for your child to choose subjects that they’re good at and will enjoy. Try to discourage them from choosing a course because their friends are doing it, or because they like the teacher; friendships don’t always last, and teachers may move on, leaving your child stuck with a subject that they don’t actually like.

Choosing which subjects to take can be tricky, but there’s usually plenty of information available to help you and your child whittle their options down.

Schools normally hold an options evening, where you can meet the teachers and discuss what taking a GCSE in their subject involves.

Talk to teachers at parents’ evenings to find out how your child is doing in that subject and whether they’d recommend they take it at GCSE.

Speak to pupils who are taking, or have taken, GCSEs in the subjects your child is considering. Ask them what it’s really like to study the course; for example, how much homework do they get? Is there coursework, or just a final exam? What do they like and dislike about the subject?

If your child has a specific career or higher education qualification in mind, arrange a meeting with the school careers advisor to see if there’s a particular combination of GCSEs that they should be taking. Use careers websites to find out more about routes into the careers that your child might consider.

Encourage them to make a list of pros and cons of each subject, taking into account things like how easy or difficult they find it, how much homework they’ll have to do, what grades pupils typically get in the subject, how many go on to take an A level in the subject, and so on.

Above all, don’t panic! Remember that your child’s teachers are there to help them make the right GCSE choices. And if things go wrong and they end up taking a course that really doesn’t suit them, all is not lost; it’s often possible for students to change options in the first few weeks of Year 10.