Can someone explain double science to me please?

[FamilyAdventure]

DS1 is going through the options process, although much of it seems quite prescriptive.

I've had a letter which says "...DS will be offered Double Science GCSE...Double Science is ideal for students who enjoy science and either wish to progress to A-level study or would like to use science as part of the EBacc."

DS is "average" at school. Not top sets but does well enough. I wouldn't say he particularly enjoys science, but then it's hard to tie down which subjects he does enjoy. Enjoys school overall though

Anyway, I understood that the best science candidates (and the A-level potential ones) would do triple science. Are the school giving good advice when they say this is suitable for students with A-level aspirations?

How is double science GCSE viewed, should a science based university application be made? Seems unlikely ATM but then he has no idea what he wants to do.

The letter says he should end up with two Science GCSEs. What subjects will these be in i.e. both called "science" or Physics and Chemistry etc. If different, how/when do they choose what of the 3 sciences they specialise in?

Finally, has DS done well to be "offered" double science, or is this what everyone gets, who isn't good at science?!

[noblegiraffe]

Triple science is supposed to be available to any students achieving a level 6+ at the end of KS3. If you want to do science A-levels, then it is advisable to take it because although you can take science A-level with double science, there will be catching up to do.

Double science covers all three sciences so he'd still be doing modules in chemistry, physics and biology, the grades will just be averaged together at the end.

Pretty much everyone does double or triple science. It would be quite rare to do single science.

[longestlurkerever]

OP I did double science - it was all that was offered at my school. You study all three sciences and then get a single mark overall which is "doubled" to represent the fact that it's more work than one GCSE - so you always get eg AA, BB, CC so you can't get eg AB or BC like you could if you took the subjects separately.

I know at some bigger or selective schools the top set tend to do triple science instead but I really don't think it makes a difference to your long term prospects. My sister did double science and now has a phd in chemistry from Cambridge University. I suppose it might mean you have a bit more work to do to bring yourself up to the A level standard though - but then it might free up a bit of time to take a different subject at GCSE or something extracurricular like music. Swings and roundabouts.

[Endler32]

Not all schools are offering triple science GCSE, the school we are sending dd too doesn't. Double science covers all 3 sciences but gives you 2 GCSE's ( science and additional science ), single science offers one GCSE and triple gives you physics, chemistry and biology.

Apparently you can still take science A level if you take double science,obviously taking triple would be an advantage but there's no rule saying you need triple.

[HereIAm20]

There is another thread on this. Son did double science at GCSEs - now doing chemistry, biology ,psychology and geography at A level and wants to read medicine at uni. The downside of having done double rather than triple was that although he studied all 3 sciences as part of double science he did not cover as many topics as those who did triple. There is a big step up between GCSEs and AS/A2 level especially chemistry so he had an elemnt of catch up as well as step up to deal with despite getting a\a at GCSEs science. There are also certain unis that will not accept him for a degree in medicine with double but others that will. It really depends how far she'd like to take her science in the long term. Although it may be restrictive it won't be impossible.

[Pico2]

Double science may not be offered to the weakest students. In some schools they offer alternatives such as "applied science GCSE" or alternative qualifications at the same level as GCSE. I'm not up to date with what the alternatives are, but there are definitely pupils who don't take the traditional science GCSEs.

[jeanne16]

If he wants to do any of the Sciences at A level, he really must do triple science. He will be at a disadvantage if he doesn't and will have lots of catching up to do. The jump to A level is huge anyway so you really will be making life tough for him.

[Bunbaker]

NeedA has explained it really well. DD's school offers double and triple science. They have just had some exams so that the school can decide who does double and who does triple science. Of the 90 students in her year who opted for triple science approximately 60 of them will do triple science. The rest will do double science and choose another option.

Her school is an above average comprehensive.

[FamilyAdventure]

Thank you all. your advice and that on the other thread, which I didn't see until after I posted, makes it clear that the school has made absolutely the right choice for DS1.