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RE: School
(02 Feb 2015, 5:18 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Ignore the recommendations and pick what you want.

I'm getting an interview with one of the deputy heads at some time before the week off - I think we'll get our options forms before then and they'll be due back in after the holidays, give us time to think.

Knowing my grades, they'll be expecting me to decide to take another science...

My options:

Language: German or Spanish (undecided)
Humanity: History or Geography (can't choose)
Option 1: Business Studies
Option 2: Business Economics, RE or Art

Moved to this thread Smile

Aye I might do, but they actually have a point I reckon. Business/ICT do seem quite hard, and I reckon GSCE Food will be quite good!

For the language, if your better at Spanish, or have done it before, you might be better off taking that?
And I'm picking Geography, but you seem to like History? Judging by your posts, you seem to show an interest in it. 
Completely agree with Business Studies, but I don't think you can take two Business lessons. 
School
(02 Feb 2015, 5:24 pm)Tom wrote Moved to this thread Smile

Aye I might do, but they actually have a point I reckon. Business/ICT do seem quite hard, and I reckon GSCE Food will be quite good!

For the language, if your better at Spanish, or have done it before, you might be better off taking that?
And I'm picking Geography, but you seem to like History? Judging by your posts, you seem to show an interest in it. 
Completely agree with Business Studies, but I don't think you can take two Business lessons. 

I wouldn't pick any of the Home Economics subjects unless you plan to work in an eating establishment, etc, one of my friends wants to be an Architect, and he's picking a wide variety of things like Art, Further Maths, Graphics, etc.

I can't decide between History and Geography, because Geography (travel and tourism is included in the GCSE curriculum at my school) would help me more should I enter the transport industry. Whereas History is something I feel I excel more at, and generally enjoy more. It's a hard choice imo.

When we had our assembly, unless I was mistaken or fell asleep from boredom - one of the pathways they offered had 1x language, 1x humanity - then; Chemistry; Physics; Biology; Triple Sciences; Further Sciences; Duel Award Science; ICT; Business Studies; Business & Economics; Business & ICT incorporated; French; Spanish; German; Graphics Design; Food Tech; Drama; Sports Studies; Music; PE.

Then there are subjects you are chosen for, or recommended for by teachers. These are all BTECs and Further English/Maths/Science.

Sometimes being picked for Further English/Maths/Science isn't necessarily a good thing...from what I hear, as well as having Extra English/Maths/Science should you be doing really bad and behind on the subject - you'll end up losing your two options; and Further and Extra will fill them... Undecided
bazmaba
RE: School
(02 Feb 2015, 5:33 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I wouldn't pick any of the Home Economics subjects unless you plan to work in an eating establishment, etc, one of my friends wants to be an Architect, and he's picking a wide variety of things like Art, Further Maths, Graphics, etc.

I can't decide between History and Geography, because Geography (travel and tourism is included in the GCSE curriculum at my school) would help me more should I enter the transport industry. Whereas History is something I feel I excel more at, and generally enjoy more. It's a hard choice imo.

When we had our assembly, unless I was mistaken or fell asleep from boredom - one of the pathways they offered had 1x language, 1x humanity - then; Chemistry; Physics; Biology; Triple Sciences; Further Sciences; Duel Award Science; ICT; Business Studies; Business & Economics; Business & ICT incorporated; French; Spanish; German; Graphics Design; Food Tech; Drama; Sports Studies; Music; PE.

Then there are subjects you are chosen for, or recommended for by teachers. These are all BTECs and Further English/Maths/Science.

Sometimes being picked for Further English/Maths/Science isn't necessarily a good thing...from what I hear, as well as having Extra English/Maths/Science should you be doing really bad and behind on the subject - you'll end up losing your two options; and Further and Extra will fill them... Undecided

Aye - I reckon Geography could be better if going into the transport industry.

I think I'll take ICT tbh then. 
School
(02 Feb 2015, 5:37 pm)Tom wrote Aye - I reckon Geography could be better if going into the transport industry.

I think I'll take ICT tbh then. 

I don't like IT, I haven't referred to it as ICT since Primary school but I think it's officially known by that name. Actually on my timetable it's down as Computing.
bazmaba
RE: School
(02 Feb 2015, 5:51 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I don't like IT, I haven't referred to it as ICT since Primary school but I think it's officially known by that name. Actually on my timetable it's down as Computing.

I quite like it Smile

It's better than Food anyway.
School
(02 Feb 2015, 5:53 pm)Tom wrote I quite like it Smile

It's better than Food anyway.

I do like Food, but about 6 weeks into the topic the teacher lost it with us because we couldn't work in a whole group.

Not only that, she had been on the edge for weeks with us, but the 3 girls I've mentioned previously all deliberately forgot their ingredients.

So, they spoiled it for everyone...Sad
bazmaba
RE: School
(02 Feb 2015, 5:55 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I do like Food, but about 6 weeks into the topic the teacher lost it with us because we couldn't work in a whole group.

Not only that, she had been on the edge for weeks with us, but the 3 girls I've mentioned previously all deliberately forgot their ingredients.

So, they spoiled it for everyone...Sad

Haha our food teacher is strict, and she kicks off if you forget your container.
They buy your ingredients though. We get it three times a week too. 
School
(02 Feb 2015, 5:56 pm)Tom wrote Haha our food teacher is strict, and she kicks off if you forget your container.
They buy your ingredients though. We get it three times a week too. 

See our school is a joke in comparison to that.

They made us buy all of our own equipment, and for each week too!!

I dare say all in all my mam spent £75 on all the ingredients over the course of the topic; trays and foil too, even our own flaming soap!!

Whereas if you take a look up to the Hermitage; £10 per term and the school provide everything and with a great teacher by all accounts.
bazmaba
RE: School
(02 Feb 2015, 5:58 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote See our school is a joke in comparison to that.

They made us buy all of our own equipment, and for each week too!!

I dare say all in all my mam spent £75 on all the ingredients over the course of the topic; trays and foil too, even our own flaming soap!!

Whereas if you take a look up to the Hermitage; £10 per term and the school provide everything and with a great teacher by all accounts.

Wow that's not great at all.
We only have to bring a container. 
RE: School
When I used to do cookery (or "Independent Living Skills") last year at school, guess what they wanted me to make?....



Cheese and ham toasty, had to eat it all to, *cough* earn timetables and computer time *cough*.


I made something else instead.... a school evacuation...
RE: School
Got my GCSE options form this evening. I was recommended for the Purple pathway, which is a language and 3x my own choice. The options themselves are;

My language is German, and my three choices are outlined in bold below...

GCSE Art; GCSE French; GCSE Geography; GCSE History; GCSE Music; GCSE Product Design; GCSE German; GCSE Spanish; GCSE I.T; GCSE Drama; GCSE Food; GCSE Graphics; GCSE Business & Economics; GCSE RE; GCSE Sports Studies; GCSE Business Studies; BTEC Media Studies; BTEC Design & Art; BTEC Health & Social Care; BTEC Business; Cambridge National Sport.

I feel Business & Economics will benefit me more than just Business Studies, my dad says it's a an advanced version of Business Studies when all said and done. My language is German, after a hard decision between that and Spanish, and plus it will take me a lot further in all seriousness. I also decided to go for History because I have a much stronger interest in it than Geography - and my teacher for the latter this year is actually a History teacher, kind of ruined all hope for me sadly, he knows about as much as us really - and History fascinates me. You know what they say, to envision the future you must recreate the past! Wink

Now, the final choice - I'm stumped...Sad
bazmaba
RE: School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:03 pm)aureolin wrote Out of interest, what do you want to do when you're older? Is History really going to benefit you?

I'd like to be some sort of manager in the transport industry, but History is more a personal choice than anything. Business and German are on the serious side, and I'm picking History as I genuinely enjoy it. Sometimes it can be boring, but on the whole I really enjoy it.
bazmaba
Marxista Fozzski
RE: School
(02 Feb 2015, 6:44 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote When I used to do cookery (or "Independent Living Skills") last year at school, guess what they wanted me to make?....



Cheese and ham toasty, had to eat it all to, *cough* earn timetables and computer time *cough*.


I made something else instead.... a school evacuation...
What did you do like???

Did you over cook the toastie to trigger the smoke alarms
RE: School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:05 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I'd like to be some sort of manager in the transport industry, but History is more a personal choice than anything. Business and German are on the serious side, and I'm picking History as I genuinely enjoy it. Sometimes it can be boring, but on the whole I really enjoy it.

Are you picking Business Studies and Economics?

I really wouldn't recommend it. They are both very similar lessons, that's what I've been told.
RE: School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:05 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I'd like to be some sort of manager in the transport industry, but History is more a personal choice than anything. Business and German are on the serious side, and I'm picking History as I genuinely enjoy it. Sometimes it can be boring, but on the whole I really enjoy it.

If I'm being brutally honest, I personally wouldn't bother with history, unless your future career path demands a qualification in that area. The Academy I know of doesn't get a very good uptake of Humanties subjects, unless someone has a specific career path in mind. Generally only a handful in each class!

Perhaps GCSE IT is a better option? If you're wanting to work in management, you'll generally have Spreadsheets and Powerpoints coming out of your ears, so the subject may benefit you. Wink
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School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:10 pm)aureolin wrote If I'm being brutally honest, I personally wouldn't bother with history, unless your future career path demands a qualification in that area. The Academy I know of doesn't get a very good uptake of Humanties subjects, unless someone has a specific career path in mind. Generally only a handful in each class!

Perhaps GCSE IT is a better option? If you're wanting to work in management, you'll generally have Spreadsheets and Powerpoints coming out of your ears, so the subject may benefit you. Wink

I think Detailer would be a nice one. I think that was the one citaro5284 told me about. Something to do with shifts and allocations, etc. Highest paid job beneath management I recall him saying. Wink

The school strongly recommends a humanity as some sort of additional thing you could have on the side.

But thanks for your advice anyway, Adrian. I appreciate it. Smile
bazmaba
School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:12 pm)MrFozz wrote Is travel and tourism offered as an option, I wish I took it at school along with Media and Drama, though I would go on to do drama at College

Nope. One thing that irritated me about my options was that that wasn't available. Geography seems the next best thing...
bazmaba
School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:08 pm)Tom wrote Are you picking Business Studies and Economics?

I really wouldn't recommend it. They are both very similar lessons, that's what I've been told.

No, just Business & Economics. Business Studies is a totally separate thing according to all the advice we've been given - you follow different projects and the overall thing is much more mathematical than Business Studies according to the curriculum sheet given.
bazmaba
Site Administrator
RE: School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:10 pm)aureolin wrote If I'm being brutally honest, I personally wouldn't bother with history, unless your future career path demands a qualification in that area. The Academy I know of doesn't get a very good uptake of Humanties subjects, unless someone has a specific career path in mind. Generally only a handful in each class!

Perhaps GCSE IT is a better option? If you're wanting to work in management, you'll generally have Spreadsheets and Powerpoints coming out of your ears, so the subject may benefit you. Wink
Would certainly agree with this.

At GCSE level, you learn the ins and outs of Excel, but also use Word, PowerPoint, Publisher and other packages too. At my school, we used various SERIF packages (WebPlus to design websites springs to mind - amongst others...which I rarely used as I didn't like the software and could design better things myself on other software)

I had an interview recently and I showed the interviewers some of the spreadsheets I'd designed. Both of the interviewers seemed impressed by the use of conditional formatting, data validation and formulas. It really gave me something to talk about and I'd argue that, without GCSE ICT, I probably wouldn't have had the interest there to do my own background research into learning more about what Excel can do.

A Level IT is a tad boring. Don't like Access at all, but we've got to use it so often.
RE: School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:16 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote No, just Business & Economics. Business Studies is a totally separate thing according to all the advice we've been given - you follow different projects and the overall thing is much more mathematical than Business Studies according to the curriculum sheet given.

Ah okay Smile

I reckon Geography will be a good option - would be helpful if you wanted to own your own business in the bus industry too. However, Dual Languages might be useful too, as in my school you get Business Com Systems as an additional GSCE too.
School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:18 pm)Tom wrote Ah okay Smile

I reckon Geography will be a good option - would be helpful if you wanted to own your own business in the bus industry too. However, Dual Languages might be useful too, as in my school you get Business Com Systems as an additional GSCE too.

We don't have dual languages sadly. And like I say Geography has been really messed up for me this year, having a teacher who doesn't specially teach it...
bazmaba
RE: School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:20 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote We don't have dual languages sadly. And like I say Geography has been really messed up for me this year, having a teacher who doesn't specially teach it...

I was considering taking it, but I hate French. If it was Spanish then I'd maybe take it.

I've picked; Geography, German, Business and ICT.
Marxista Fozzski
RE: School
When I was at School we had 6 mandatory subjects

English
Maths
Science (seperate or combined)
Geography/History
1 Language (French or German)
1 Technology

The optional subjects were

I.T
Music
Business Studies
Media Studies
Drama
Geography/History (Whatever we chose for mandatory subject, we could pick the other as an option)
Travel and Tourism
P.E.

Everybody had at least 1 hour of P.E. a week, but there was the choice of doing it at GCSE...

In the End I picked, Geography as my mandatory subject and French as a language and History, I.T., Business Studies as my options, I wish I took T&T, Media and Drama now...

R.E. was also mandatory, knowing who I am now, I wish I stuck in a bit more in R.E. which caused one of the dafter moments of my time in exams, I wrote my name on the sheet and proceeded to write, im block capital letters I AM A FISH 50-100 times Big Grin
School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:27 pm)MrFozz wrote When I was at School we had 6 mandatory subjects

English
Maths
Science (seperate or combined)
Geography/History
1 Language (French or German)
1 Technology

The optional subjects were

I.T
Music
Business Studies
Media Studies
Drama
Geography/History (Whatever we chose for mandatory subject, we could pick the other as an option)
Travel and Tourism
P.E.

Everybody had at least 1 hour of P.E. a week, but there was the choice of doing it at GCSE...

In the End I picked, Geography as my mandatory subject and French as a language and History, I.T., Business Studies as my options, I wish I took T&T, Media and Drama now...

R.E. was also mandatory, knowing who I am now, I wish I stuck in a bit more in R.E. which caused one of the dafter moments of my time in exams, I wrote my name on the sheet and proceeded to write, im block capital letters I AM A FISH 50-100 times Big Grin

Oh, Fozz, Fozz, Fozz....What. A. Surprise.

Tongue
bazmaba
RE: School
(11 Feb 2015, 9:06 pm)MrFozz wrote What did you do like???

Did you over cook the toastie to trigger the smoke alarms

Possibly  Angel

Hated the school, a horrible TA had his watch set two minutes early, so I would always stay on the computer until the computer's 1200, then I came into school one day and the computer was gone, and he told me that I had been saying on the computer longer than he says. I then flipped, I climbed up onto the sofa, got some cables and wrapped them around my neck, the staff untangled them and pushed me to the ground, within a minute there was six members of staff restraining me, then I was taken to hospital, sat in there for a good three hours waiting for my mam to come from Ashington to Sunderland with the social worker, the Cacodemon of a head teacher was there along with an airhead of a teacher who previously worked at Asda. At about 1700 I was discharged from the hospital. 

The things kept getting worse until.

One day, I arrived at school in the taxi, the Cacodemon came out of the school with Airhead and the horrible TA. Cacodemon must have had an argument with my mam over the phone. I ran towards the Airhead threatening to push her in front of a car. The horrible TA, came over and did a one-man restraint, of which then a fat Mackem teacher came over and helped the TA get me back into the taxi. I opened the window, hung half my body out of it and shouted "YOU F------ W------! YOU CAN KEEP YOUR F------ BUS TIMETABLES AND TICKETS I DON'T WANT YOUR F------ S----! GO F--- YOURSELVES YOU F------ F--------!" while giving them all of the banned gestures.

The taxi driver was a different one to usual, he was traveling at around 80mph, of which then I snapped a ruler, threw pencils all over the taxi, and started shouting at him "STOP THIS TAXI NOW! IF YOU DON'T I WILL MAKE YOU!" he continued driving at a dangerous speed, until, I unfastened the seatbelt, and started hitting him, and kicking the chair, of which he did an emergency stop, pulled into the lay by and called the police.

The police arrived and put me in the back of the van, at that time, I was so low, my face was apparently "grey" and I was distressed. Upon arrival at South Shields police station, I was put in some sort of visitor room, and was awaiting my mam and auntie to pick me up. 

I never went back to Sunderland for a long time.

I never wanted to go back to that school.
RE: School
(12 Feb 2015, 3:09 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Possibly  Angel

Hated the school, a horrible TA had his watch set two minutes early, so I would always stay on the computer until the computer's 1200, then I came into school one day and the computer was gone, and he told me that I had been saying on the computer longer than he says. I then flipped, I climbed up onto the sofa, got some cables and wrapped them around my neck, the staff untangled them and pushed me to the ground, within a minute there was six members of staff restraining me, then I was taken to hospital, sat in there for a good three hours waiting for my mam to come from Ashington to Sunderland with the social worker, the Cacodemon of a head teacher was there along with an airhead of a teacher who previously worked at Asda. At about 1700 I was discharged from the hospital. 

The things kept getting worse until.

One day, I arrived at school in the taxi, the Cacodemon came out of the school with Airhead and the horrible TA. Cacodemon must have had an argument with my mam over the phone. I ran towards the Airhead threatening to push her in front of a car. The horrible TA, came over and did a one-man restraint, of which then a fat Mackem teacher came over and helped the TA get me back into the taxi. I opened the window, hung half my body out of it and shouted "YOU FUCKING WANKERS! YOU CAN KEEP YOUR FUCKING BUS TIMETABLES AND TICKETS I DON'T WANT YOUR FUCKING SHITE! GO FUCK YOURSELVES YOU FUCKING FUCKTARDS!" while giving them all of the banned gestures.

The taxi driver was a different one to usual, he was traveling at around 80mph, of which then I snapped a ruler, threw pencils all over the taxi, and started shouting at him "STOP THIS TAXI NOW! IF YOU DON'T I WILL MAKE YOU!" he continued driving at a dangerous speed, until, I unfastened the seatbelt, and started hitting him, and kicking the chair, of which he did an emergency stop, pulled into the lay by and called the police.

The rozzers arrived and put me in the back of the van, at that time, I was so low, my face was apparently "grey" and I was distressed. Upon arrival at South Shields rozzer station, I was put in some sort of visitor room, and was awaiting my mam and auntie to pick me up. 

I never went back to Sunderland for a long time.

I never wanted to go back to that school.

Was it dark and dingy like the rest of Shields. 
Against the Anti-Lee Club.
RE: School
(12 Feb 2015, 3:09 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Possibly  Angel

Hated the school, a horrible TA had his watch set two minutes early, so I would always stay on the computer until the computer's 1200, then I came into school one day and the computer was gone, and he told me that I had been saying on the computer longer than he says. I then flipped, I climbed up onto the sofa, got some cables and wrapped them around my neck, the staff untangled them and pushed me to the ground, within a minute there was six members of staff restraining me, then I was taken to hospital, sat in there for a good three hours waiting for my mam to come from Ashington to Sunderland with the social worker, the Cacodemon of a head teacher was there along with an airhead of a teacher who previously worked at Asda. At about 1700 I was discharged from the hospital. 

The things kept getting worse until.

One day, I arrived at school in the taxi, the Cacodemon came out of the school with Airhead and the horrible TA. Cacodemon must have had an argument with my mam over the phone. I ran towards the Airhead threatening to push her in front of a car. The horrible TA, came over and did a one-man restraint, of which then a fat Mackem teacher came over and helped the TA get me back into the taxi. I opened the window, hung half my body out of it and shouted "YOU FUCKING WANKERS! YOU CAN KEEP YOUR FUCKING BUS TIMETABLES AND TICKETS I DON'T WANT YOUR FUCKING SHITE! GO FUCK YOURSELVES YOU FUCKING FUCKTARDS!" while giving them all of the banned gestures.

The taxi driver was a different one to usual, he was traveling at around 80mph, of which then I snapped a ruler, threw pencils all over the taxi, and started shouting at him "STOP THIS TAXI NOW! IF YOU DON'T I WILL MAKE YOU!" he continued driving at a dangerous speed, until, I unfastened the seatbelt, and started hitting him, and kicking the chair, of which he did an emergency stop, pulled into the lay by and called the police.

The rozzers arrived and put me in the back of the van, at that time, I was so low, my face was apparently "grey" and I was distressed. Upon arrival at South Shields rozzer station, I was put in some sort of visitor room, and was awaiting my mam and auntie to pick me up. 

I never went back to Sunderland for a long time.

I never wanted to go back to that school.

Can I just say, that is pretty bad. Not the way you were treated at school, but the ways you responded to it all! 

You got a computer until a certain time? Consider yourself lucky! The only time we're allowed on computers to do our own things is in the library at lunch, and even then it's every man for himself as there are only 12! And Sixth Formers get priority over us!

Wrapping cables around your neck? Because your computer was gone? And it took six members of staff to restrain you?! The last time I saw six members of staff in the same room was when they asked me to stay behind for a student voice thing. Extreme..!

And you threatened to push a teacher in front of a car?!?! Regardless of disability, age or maturity - if that happened in my school you would be kicked out and never allowed back - instantly!! I think they were pretty lenient!!...and then you subsequently hurled awful verbal abuse at them following them getting you back into the taxi (probably best!)...wow...

And then you started hitting a taxi driver after he failed to do as you commanded him to do? I think regardless of the speed he was going, he didn't deserve that sort of abuse. No wonder he called the police!!

* Tommy, I am aware you are autistic - but that is just not right. My best friend, Rhys, also has autism. And it's very noticeable by his behavior, etc, but even he doesn't go that far. If he doesn't get his own way, he has a bit of a moment to cry, maybe shout a bit and rant on, before his LSA takes him outside to calm down...and he always comes back in perfectly fine after being spoken to. Think about it - they were only trying to help you, regardless of how you took it.

I am also aware there are a huge variety of forms of autism, but after working and being friends with Rhys for over 10 years, as well as meeting plenty more autistic people with a variety of different needs - but that...words fail me!
bazmaba