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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Triple Science-Not sure what to think....

78 replies

Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:11

DS1 has asked to be considered for TS. His exam score was high enough for him to be considered.

He doesn't know what direction he is going in for A levels or further.

At parents Evening the Science teacher said that unless he is going to do science at A level there isn't much point doing TS and stressed to us how much work there will be.

Those chosen to be considered if they want to do it now have to produce a piece of work to be assessed. I really don't know.

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rightsaidfrederick · 19/06/2013 19:14

When I sat triple science GCSE (2008) it definitely wasn't as much work as doing another GCSE in a different subject (i.e. triple science is less work than double science + something else).

I've also gone down a non-science career path since, but I don't regret it at all - it kept options open for me, and I can't see that there were any disadvantages to doing it, for me.

Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:16

Thanks right. I think Ds1 does want to keep his options open, BUT I feel his strengths lie in the Humanities if I'm honest.

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bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:16

DH (who is a DH) would disagree strongly with the science teacher and says that all bright children should be encouraged to do TS. Hence DD has to do TS and no doubt DS will too. TBF, I don't think the school they go to asks them - they just get put in for it, as opposed to friend's DD's school where they could choose to just do double award even if they were good enough for TS, IYSWIM.

I am as I did 2 sciences (and then, foolishly did one at A'level, but that's a different story) and it has never been a source of difficulty for me!

bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:17

Sparkling, same re DD!

Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:18

YY Tilly I feel a bit bad that there is a choice to be made. I wonder whether this piece of work will be used to eliminate people?

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Fluffy1234 · 19/06/2013 19:20

I think triple science v double science and another traditional subject are a simular amount of work. If your DS really enjoys science then let him choose triple. He would be studying science for 15 hours a fortnight so probably every day.

bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:22

Do they have to think of their own project?

bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:23

DD has already started on her TS as they do it from Y9. It's been fine so far, though currently physics which she says is boring. Don't blame her!

Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:25

Yes, they have to find a Science news article and explain why it interests them, whether the science is valid/well reported etc.

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Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:25

Wow 15 hours Fluffy. DS1's school have also said there will be after school classes.

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Fluffy1234 · 19/06/2013 19:27

Yuk..I was a humanities/sociology girl.

TheWave · 19/06/2013 19:28

Is it TS in the same number of lessons per week as double? In which case you have to be quick at picking up the concepts. Or is it three subjects in terms of time? Also does he/you feel that different children might do TS and this might influence the choice?

Also double can be split up over Yrs 10 and 11 and I thought TS exams would all be in Yr 11 for his cohort.

wordfactory · 19/06/2013 19:28

Things to consider:

Is the triple being done in the same time slot as a double.
When does the course begin.

Both my DC are doing the former and it is quite full on. Both began their courses at the beginning of year 9.

Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:30

Aah well he's Year 9 now and wouldn't be starting until Sept in Yr 10.

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Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:33

All exams at the end of Year 11. Definitely says after school lessons/late bus. No info on number of lessons.

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GrimmaTheNome · 19/06/2013 19:34

Sciences are good solid subjects. If he does want to carry on with any sort of science/engineering type thing it'll be good he's done them; but even if he doesn't then (provided he doesn't now eg drop history and belatedly want to be a historian) then its no harm to have done them.

Also, if they get a choice of whether to do TS, if he does it then he'll be in with people who want to be there (and generally more able at science) whereas if he doesn't then there's more chance he'll have classmates who aren't too bothered about even the double or who have to have things tediously explained.

The only reason not to do it, that I can think of, is if it would mean he has to drop another 'solid' subject he'd really like to do. How many subjects is he allowed?

Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:39

He is doing the compulsory subjects and German, History, Business Studies and CiDA.

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bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:40

What is CiDA?

Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:41

Certificate in Digital Applications Tilly. isn't that ICT?

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bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:44

!!!

I think the ICT teacher said DD was doing some sort of double award, but I have no idea what exactly that means

My friend who is head of IT in a 6thform college says that GCSE ICT is a load of b***ks anyway

wordfactory · 19/06/2013 19:46

Starting a triple in year 10, in the same schedule as the double will be labour intensive.

Not saying it's too difficult, but just to consider it carefully.

lljkk · 19/06/2013 19:48

I would talk it all thru with him & let him decide. Definitely I'd want him to do something else if he'd enjoy it more.

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Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:50

It is bothering me word.

I envisage the following possibly-

DS1-Mum I hate doing all this Science and staying behind after school I wish I had never opted to do TS.

Me- Well you were desperate to do it.

DS1-You should have advised me not to.

Me

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GrimmaTheNome · 19/06/2013 19:52

compulsory subjects vary from school to school so not sure from that whether its reasonable amount or heavy load.

And of course we have no idea of your DSs capacity for work - is he the sort who is happy to put the effort in, especially if its something he's actually asking to do? (It'd be entirely different if it was you who was keen for him to do TS and him who was unsure)

wordfactory · 19/06/2013 19:52

I suppose it also depends on how much extra curric stuff your DS does, too!

If you're heavily committed outside school, you may find that triple burdonsome.

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