In year 9 at school, when children come to the end of Key Stage 3, they will have the chance to choose their GCSE subjects. This is an exciting milestone in a child’s education, but it can also be a challenging time. Children will need plenty of support from their family in order to help them choose wisely.
Family support is one of the most important factors in a child’s academic success. In order to provide the best support for your child when they reach their GCSEs, here is some helpful information from an Independent College in Cardiff …
What are GCSEs? GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) are the exams children have to take at the end of Key Stage 4.For most schools, English, maths and science are mandatory GCSEs and the rest are optional. Students study between 7 and 9 GCSE subjects depending on their school.
How can I support my child when it is time to choose their GCSE subjects?
- When your child is deciding which GCSEs they should choose it is important to consider their interests, which optional subjects their school allows and their future plans (such as a degree or career goal).
- Talk to your child about what they wish to do after school. Do they wish to go to university, what would they like to study there and what job do they hope to do? These kinds of conversations will prompt your child to think about their academic strengths and how they could benefit their future.
- If your child does have a dream job, you could research the qualifications needed in order to secure a role in that industry. However, it’s also worth encouraging them to select a variety of subjects that will allow them to explore and develop a range of skills. In doing so, they will be keeping their options open in case they change their mind about their career later on.
- The best thing parents can do to support their children with GCSE choices is help them to collect as much information as possible. Relevant information will help to make your child’s decision making as stress free as possible.
Laura x