Triple science

[tenbyeight]

Just want to know if my year 8 dc is at level 6 now will she be good enough to do triple science? They need to choose their gcses around Xmas time in year 9 so not long now.

[PurpleDaisies]

Probably but it depends on the individual school. They might have maths grade criteria as well.

I can reassure you that whether she does triple or not will have no bearing at all on her future career, even as a scientist/doctor/vet. No university will discriminate against students that have done double and students who've done double and go on to science a levels catch up very quickly.

Your best bet is to talk to the school.

[BackforGood]

Yes - depends how they set it up in the school.
dd's school it was a full option to take it, but at ds's school, the top 2 sets did 3 sep sciences in the same timetabled lessons as middle sets did double science and I understand some did either one, or BTEC. So it's a different cup of tea.

[starfish4]

There were four science sets in DD's year and 25% were able to do triple science. They did a test at school and most of the top set were offered triple science and one or two from the next set down. DD wasn't sure whether to do triple science or not as she felt she was very much towards the lower end of the scale of those offered it, however, she's now assessed as being a strong A, A and strong B. I guess they only want the ones doing it at her school who are definitely going to pass all three. They don't have to use up an option to do triple science, all groups have five lessons a week.

[MyVisionsComeFromSoup]

DD3's school aren't making a decision as to who will be offered triple science till the January of Y10 - the tops sets have started GCSE level work in Y9, and they'll see how it's going with the new syllabus at that point. We've been assured it won't affect being able to do science A levels at all (presumably if staying at the same school).

[catslife]

Technically the old NC levels have been abolished for KS3, but schools are still using them as there isn't a new system.
PP are correct in that it does depend on the school. At dds school Triple Science takes up an option (nearly all other pupils take Double Science) and is timetabled as Chemistry, Physics and Biology. If Triple Science was "oversubscribed" then they used the exam marks at the end of Y9 as a tie-breaker.
Most sixth forms allow pupils to take A level sciences with either Double or Triple Science (they just ask for slightly higher grades for Double).
My understanding of the new GCSE specification is that it will no longer be possible to take only Core Science i.e. one GCSE, so all pupils capable of GCSE will be taking the new Double award.

[pointythings]

At the school my DDs go to, a total of 56 pupils will be offered triple science, so basically the first two sets. It's a big school, 300+ per year cohort. You need to be set 1 or 2 in maths as well.

[Laniakea]

"At dds school Triple Science takes up an option (nearly all other pupils take Double Science) and is timetabled as Chemistry, Physics and Biology. "

DD's school is the same.

They have two triple science classes - so about 60 students from a year of 180. In my dd's year everyone who wanted to do triple could - they generally say level 6+ in science & maths at the end of KS3. Pretty much everyone else does double science & is part of their core of GCSEs.

[Marmitelover55]

My DD is in year 9 and in set 2A. She has already started the triple science GCSEs (I think set 1 and set 2A are doing triple).

They don't make a final decision about whether they sit triple or double until January of year 11, so over 18 months away. I think she is a level 5/6 but that is the new GCSE level, not national curriculum level so no idea what this means!

[catslife]

Need to add that dds school has 2 top sets in Y9 but other sets are mixed ability. I think there are approx 90 children taking Triple science out of approx 210.
For GCSE there is a top set for Triple science plus 2 equal other sets.
For Double Science there is a top set (which my dd is in) and 2 lower sets.
As other people have said, it is often possible fort pupils to move from Triple to Double e.g. at the end of Y10, but it isn't possible to change and move from Double to Triple.

[DooblieDooo]

Ds's school has a blanket policy that you have to be achieving a 6C by the end of year 8 to take triple science. We are still using the old levels system.

It was originally down as an option but has just changed this year to become part of core subjects.

Ds is in year 8 and they have already chosen their options which start in year 9, but the GCSE stuff starts year 10. I believe.

[tenbyeight]

My dd's school doesn't set sicience in yr 7/8. But dd s working towards level 7 at the moment.

[tenbyeight]

But her maths will only be 5a/6c.

[PurpleDaisies]

tenby no one will be able to tell you for certain if your dd will be able to do triple science-you need to talk to the school.

[catslife]

Provided that the school doesn't specify a NC level for Maths that would be OK.
BTW does your nickname mean that you live in Wales as their GCSE system is now slightly different to England?

[DooblieDooo]

Cats I read it as ten by eight! not Tenby (lovely place though)

Ten/Tenby Ds is currently a level 7c for science and top set Maths and his maths grade is higher.

They don't specify a maths level for the science but for other options they again want a level 6 to demonstrate you understand the basics to be able to build on it.

I should say that Ds's school is outstanding and they push. But they also have a massive array of vocational subjects too, it isn't all about academic stuff. They try to tailor it to the child.