Appeals if year 9 options are refused?

Savvy_Sue

loopydsfan wrote: »

I have been on one about it a little bit and I know you probably think its a fluffy subject anyway but when you go to the meetings and they bang on about making the right choice and how its going to affect you later on only to say no sorry your not doing that is a little annoying.

First, please don't think I'm knocking music, or actually any subjects by referring to them as 'fluffy'. In many ways the 'fluffy' subjects are more difficult, at least with the stuff my boys prefer there's a right and a wrong answer, and you either 'get it' or you don't.

And second, I agree that schools bang on about making the right choice, but they really don't offer much of a choice to begin with, and then they restrict it even further, and they make grand noises about each child being important, but it only goes so far!

Have you looked into whether there is an evening class he could do? I would want to go to any meeting armed with solutions.

Savvy_Sue

BTW, I think 'fluffy' is the word we came up with for all the subjects which were clearly impossible for the boys to contemplate - it left Science, Languages, Business Studies, IT, that kind of thing. 'Choice' would be a generous way to describe what was left once we'd lost all the humanities (except RE which was compulsory) and 'chosen' (under protest!) a DT subject.

k1mmie

My son was lucky enough to have music as an option for GCSE. I would say that now he has started a music diploma at college (as this is all he wants to do), there are kids on the course who have never taken music GCSE. As long as you have sufficient GCSE's for the course, it does not have to include music. My son did not do as well as he could have (C), too much distraction I think, but went for a formal interview and an audition for the college. The tutor told him that even though he was one mark off taking the higher diploma he was so talented that they would advance him a year. So there are ways around these matters.

My other son has just put in for his options and was told that although he had a place on graphics (his option), that the DT departments had all had a meeting first to discuss the children and the resistant materials teacher approached him and suggested he take that instead, as he felt he was progressing well in that subject. After discussing the course structure, he has changed to this subject.

So, I think if you have a helpful school it makes a world of difference. Alternatively, as a option, if you can afford it, you can have a tutor and take the GCSE privately!

mrcow

loopydsfan wrote: »

The teacher told my son that the course was not economically viable. This makes me very angry. Its like they are saying as long as we save money, we dont give a stuff about your sons future. What gets me is the music teacher is being paid to teach in school anyway so why should it make a difference how many kids are on the course. It makes my blood boil.

He'll still get up to 75 UCAS points for completing his music examinations (Grade 6-8) regardless of whether a GCSE is offered tohim at this stage.

Other than that - I agree - if the school can't offer it, then certainly seek alternative routes for taking it.

Savvy_Sue

k1mmie wrote: »

My son was lucky enough to have music as an option for GCSE. I would say that now he has started a music diploma at college (as this is all he wants to do), there are kids on the course who have never taken music GCSE. As long as you have sufficient GCSE's for the course, it does not have to include music.

I think the OP realises this, it's the fact that he's ended up being offered TWO subjects he really doesn't want to do which is causing the grief.

I honestly never thought one of mine would have to consider PE or Media Studies as one of his options, since he had neither aptitude nor inclination for either, but they really did look like the least worst options for that brief period when he was told that he couldn't do 2 languages.

k1mmie wrote: »

So, I think if you have a helpful school it makes a world of difference. Alternatively, as a option, if you can afford it, you can have a tutor and take the GCSE privately!

Absolutely, a helpful school makes the world of difference, and fortunately ours realised pretty quickly that the parents were revolting over the lack of two languages! And therefore found some money. Although I suspect the number of students wanting to do both was not too far off their 'ideal' minimum number, and I suppose it's possible there are only two or three wanting to do music in this case - OP I would definitely try to find out how many are affected, and see if you can present a united front!

I'm not sure how hard self-study for GCSE music would be, but again, that is another option to consider, would any of his practical teachers be up for giving a hand with that?

mrcow wrote: »

He'll still get up to 75 UCAS points for completing his music examinations (Grade 6-8) regardless of whether a GCSE is offered tohim at this stage.

That is a good point, and one I hadn't thought of. Although little consolation if you've had to do two subjects you really didn't want to instead of music at GCSE.

mrcow wrote: »

Other than that - I agree - if the school can't offer it, then certainly seek alternative routes for taking it.

And make it clear that you are doing so, and that you hope for their cooperation in doing so, and that if you don't get it, you are considering among those routes moving your son to a different school!

loopy, I hope the end of the week is improving, or at least not getting any worse ...