As a teacher of Latin in a modern school which values offering agency to its younger pupils, I sometimes despair.
It is my misfortune for Latin to be in the same option block as drama, outdoor education and – wait for it – ‘food tech’. It doesn’t matter what you call it (remember ‘home economics’?) it’s cookery. Sticky, chocolatey, delicious baking: ‘Get off, you can’t have any! I promised Amy she could have a slice!’ What 11 year old when faced with a choice between taking home a tray of warm flapjacks with a caramel drizzle or a page of ancient vocabulary to learn, is going to back my subject?
Options are introduced to children at an increasingly young age. Is this wise? As a parent, I urge you to know your child and guide them. If they like challenges and hard-earned success, if you value the subject – ok, Latin – as an educatory tool for youngsters, then please weigh in. It’s hard to pick it up later in the day.
GCSEs
At 13 the children get to consider their GCSE options. There is limited choice here to abandon a hitherto core subject. Unfortunately if you hate science like I did, too bad – these days it is mandatory to take at least dual science all the way to GCSE. Nonetheless it is a great relief to many who gladly toss their history folders and french vocab into the dustbin and imagine the next 2 years will be a breeze as a result. But have they based their decisions on the right criteria?
Did your child not get along with the teacher last year? Perhaps they fell behind with prep and suffered the consequences, including a bad exam result. These are not reasons to give up a subject. Look ahead and ask older children what their experience of that subject is. If your child manages to turn in a competent essay, then humanities are a good idea. If they have a technical mind, remember languages are also technical. If they are easily stressed, try to include a practical subject so they can get up out of their chair now and then (drama, DT, ok – food tech).
Even after their choices have been made – and changed, three times – they will likely run into problems. Not all kids love maths. The maths geeks often dread English. Science is (to my mind) horrendous for everyone. Year 11 is hard – make no mistake. For students, for parents. But it draws to an end like everything else. Hang in there. (And hire a tutor).
A Levels
A Levels offer genuine change for the student. Now at last, they can study what they want. Remember though, they’re still young, still at school. Don’t let them be too influenced by what they think they want to be when they grow up. That will change. Even if they know they’re going to apply for medicine, do encourage them to make room for a humanities subject (or Latin, which sits very nicely alongside biology and chemistry, just saying). Nothing beats a computer whizz who also makes ceramics, or a natural scientist who speaks Spanish.
There is no A Level combination which does not work. Best be true to yourself and be bold!
