Right. And I want some proper answers please, it's the only hope I have before the Friday deadline.

I'll start by saying that we, in Year 9 or 3rd year if you're very old, are currently in the process of choosing our options - and the deadline as said for this is Friday 13/02/09.
Anyway. One of these "possible" options is called the "Creative & Media Diploma", and you have to have previously been informed you could study it in order to actually take it as an option. The career I am 99.8% certain I will be heading towards, and going into, is as a photographer. Of course, I was not invited to study said diploma.
Now you might be thinking, what's the big deal - but, forgive me if I am wrong here, out of every subject available, one entitled "Creative and Media" does look like the most promising possible for somebody whose ideal career is as a photographer - directly involved with both of the subjects in the name.
To put it in professional terms, I am "extremely unsatisfied" with the fact I was not approached myself with that bit of paper, and am very close to contacting the man in charge very soon to question his decision. This man, it must be remembered of course, does NOT know me, nor does he know the person/type of person I really am - he does not know any students for that matter, and in my opinion it is therefore wrong of him to make decisions as "big" as this based on so little knowledge. Wrong of anyone, in fact.

(rant over.......)

Of course, if I've got it all wrong here and actually what this diploma thing is really about is dancing, choreography, something like that - then I'll apologise in advance.
But what I would like to know is, Would this diploma be helpful to my future and to me, and either way should I contact...whoever I can....with my concerns? Basically, for someone who can safely see a future for himself as a professional photographer, is is a great help towards this future or have I just got the wrong end of the stick completely.

Many thanks,

Me

Ask for more details of the course and see what's involved with it. Then speak to whoever you have to submit your choices too to discuss it. Don't you have a careers adviser or someone you could speak to? Something like the old Connexions scheme?!

i would say you need to speak to this 'man' who seems to be in control of everything, and explain your situation to him. tell him you're not prepared to take another choice in its place as it would be a wasted opportunity.

can you get your parents to go and have a word with the head of KS3?

Ok no joking daniel I done the pilot run for these last year. This is the first time it is an option. I don't know how much you know about it? If you are a very hands on person you will love it.

What we done is there is a local street called South Street nd it is quite an old and not a very appealing place. We had to come up with some ideas to improve it. We paited a shelter and done quite a few other things. The other group that done the pilot done a video about a woman called Victoria Derby who was making a music video and what there film was about was all the things to do to make it. I think that one is on youtube. Just type in the making of... into youtube and you will see there project. There is so many things you could do for this project.

What I would go and do daniel is go and ask either the head of art or media or someone like that. If you have any questions just ask me. I am one of the few who have actually done this and could help!

I hope that is ok and does help!

Actually here is the link. it is quite hard to find: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY5inRR2-xk&feature=PlayList&p=D3D6AD3E024AFB98&index=20. Then there is part 2!

Simple advice I can give, Dan.

What do you actually want to do? Bearing in mind you have KS4 before KS5 (college), where you can THEN make the decisions that will hopefully get you into university, if that's your desire.

As long as you have 5 A*-C grades at GCSE level, and you have at least a C in English Language and Maths, you'll get into any good college!

KS4 is Year 10/11

KS5 is Sixthform/College I think...

Yes...tis been too long for me! Corrected.