Education often throw up tricky dilemmas—decisions that feel overwhelming, frustrating, or just plain confusing. Whether it’s helping a child choose their GCSE options, dealing with school stress, or navigating the ever-changing world of parenting, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

That’s why I’m launching this new feature: Real-Life Dilemmas in Education. Each week, we’ll take a real dilemma—whether it’s from social media, discussion forums, or direct messages—and explore it in depth. I’ll offer practical advice, different perspectives, and realistic solutions that parents, teachers, and students can use in their own lives.

My first dilemma comes from X, where a parent is struggling to help their Year 9 son choose his GCSE options. He doesn’t enjoy school, has no career ambitions yet, and his main interests are WWE and football. How can they guide him without putting too much pressure on his future?

Here’s my response….

Choose GCSE options tweet

Choosing GCSE options can be a daunting process for any family, but it’s even harder when your child has no idea what they want to do in the future—and perhaps no strong academic interests to guide them. If your son’s biggest passions are WWE and football, but school feels like a chore, how do you help him make the right decisions?

1. Reassure Him That He Doesn’t Need a Career Plan Yet

At 13 or 14, very few students know exactly what they want to do as a career, and that’s perfectly fine. The most important thing is to keep his options open. GCSE choices won’t lock him into a career forever—they’re just a stepping stone. Let him know that many adults don’t figure out their career path until much later in life.

2. Find the Balance Between Enjoyment and Practicality

Since your son isn’t particularly engaged with school, it’s important to find subjects that he can tolerate, if not enjoy. Talk to him about what he finds easiest or most interesting in school. Are there any subjects he dislikes the least? Is there a teacher he gets along with? Sometimes, the environment and teaching style make all the difference.

That said, it’s also important to keep a mix of subjects that leave doors open for the future. English, maths, and science are compulsory, but beyond that, he’ll likely have choices in humanities, languages, and practical subjects.

3. Use His Interests as a Guide

Even if WWE and football are his main passions, you can use them to find links to academic subjects:

• PE is an obvious choice if he enjoys football.

• Business Studies could be a good option, as the world of sports is heavily influenced by sponsorships, branding, and finance.

• Media Studies could appeal to his interest in WWE and sports broadcasting.

• History might be engaging if he enjoys learning about past sports events, the Olympics, or how entertainment like wrestling has evolved.

• Drama could be an interesting fit, considering the theatrical side of WWE.

This approach makes subjects feel more relevant and engaging, even if he’s not academically motivated.

4. Consider Hands-On and Vocational Subjects

If he struggles with traditional classroom learning, subjects with practical elements—like Design & Technology, Food Technology, or BTEC options—might suit him better. Some schools offer sports-related vocational courses or even elements of coaching.

5. Talk to His Teachers

His teachers will have insights into his strengths and weaknesses. They can offer advice on which subjects might be a good fit based on his learning style and what they’ve observed in class. If he’s struggling overall, it might also be worth checking if he needs additional support in certain areas.

6. Encourage Him to Keep an Open Mind

Some students reject subjects outright because they sound boring or difficult, only to realise later that they enjoy them. Encourage him to sit through taster sessions or talk to older students about their experiences. Sometimes, just having a better understanding of what a subject involves can make a big difference.

7. Take the Pressure Off

Ultimately, the goal is to make informed choices without overwhelming him. If he ends up picking something he doesn’t enjoy, there are often opportunities to switch subjects early on or adapt his plans later. Right now, he just needs to take the next step forward rather than map out his entire future.

Final Thoughts

Your son doesn’t need to have his life figured out at 13. His GCSE choices should be a mix of what he can engage with, what he can do well in, and what keeps doors open. Use his interests as a starting point, but also encourage flexibility. Whatever he chooses, remind him that there are always opportunities to change direction later on.

Has your child struggled with choosing their options? Share your experiences in the comments!