I think he was suggesting his son wasn't going to do a GCSE in IT which is eminently sensible. 15 years ago, I don't think many people could do a GCSE in IT. There were a few compulsory computing classes where we got to play with spreadsheets and word. But they didn't count towards anything and didn't distract much from the core curriculum. And we had a computer programming after school club that was very popular but then immediately shut down when a senior teacher discovered we were making games.

Depends where you are. Sadly, he cannot opt out of R.E which seems like a massive step backwards to me.

His school also allows you to opt out entirely from foreign languages, which he has done, which is a good move IMHO.

I hated having to do French or German 20 years ago...