There are 2 new GCSE subjects and I'm jealous about it
Let's just say they'll be much more useful than my incredibly limited German
Don’t worry, I’m not doing a Drew Barrymore on you all and going back to high school as an undercover reporter, but, with the announcement of these two new GCSE subjects, I’d be open to a commission.
Now, as someone who actually did pretty well in their exams (minus the D in maths), I don’t think I can remember a single thing I studied.
So much for those A*s.
As my inability to work out a fraction proves, I’ve always been more of a creative type. But, turns out, a textiles GCSE is pretty pointless when you’re no longer batiquing on the daily.
I’m no teacher, but it seems ridiculous that our curriculum topics don’t change, which is why I was so intrigued at the announcement of two new additions to the GCSE table.
From 2025, students can earn a GCSE in British Sign Language and Natural History.
Now, not to flex on you all, but a supply teacher - Mrs Coombs - taught me and my friends to sign our names at primary school and I swear, to this day, I can still introduce myself and ask your name in return.
Oh, and do the sign for ‘orange’.
Nothing from school stays in my brain, but that signing always has and as an adult, I’ve always thought having the ability to sign is a very cool skill.
As well as practical, obviously.
Genuinely, being able to sign would have been ten times more helpful to me than asking where the bibliothek is.
No offence Frau Kommer, but, I don’t even go to Germany.
Sucks for me, but the BSL subject is all set to go and will roll out in schools from September 2025.
Meanwhile, the other subject that would have piqued my interest way more than geography, is also pencilled for 2025, but still seems to waiting final confirmation.
The National History GCSE will teach pupils about the natural environments around them, along with environmental issues, including the pressing subject of climate change.
Again, not only practical, but who isn’t in love with David Attenborough these days? He is practically Harry Styles icon status at this point. Have you seen all the cards with his likeness in Scribbler?
Plus, no matter your age, who doesn’t enjoy learning a new animal fact or watching Planet Earth to chill out.
So, yeah, what are your thoughts on these new topics and what would you take away or add from your GCSE days?
Along with German, I’d also ditch French because I can’t remember any of it. Oh, and ICT because I swear, kids know more about computers than teachers do.
Although I'm not sure I'd have taken it at GCSE it would have been brilliant for BSL to be a standard part of the curriculum in primary & secondary school! I once worked with a deaf colleague and it would've been so good if I had more than incredibly basic BSL at that time! I'm also hoping Natural History sticks because it's the kind of thing I have a feeling my 8yo will want to opt for when she's older!
We were taught the BSL alphabet in Brownies and it's 100% the only thing I did there that's stuck (apart from skipping round a fake mushroom and promising to do my best. 🍄)