What on earth do we do now?

[notwhatisignedupfor]

Have n/c as outing.

Dc joined a school in September which offered VERY specific things which we wanted. One of it's big attraction for us was that you didn't have to be in top set to do sciences as a separate subject. Dc works better in some sciences that others and biology in particular is very important to what they wants to do when leaving school.

Dc however was yesterday told that those not achieving high levels would be switched to 'normal' science rather than single subjects. This concerns me as instead of getting a B in Chemistry and Biology and a C in Physics dc is likely to get a lower score in normal science.

There is also rumblings of them changing to an academy and accepting younger pupils (year 7 and 8s) despite the school being very popular.

Dc is thriving in the older environment and it feels like the whole dynamic of the school is going to change.

She's gutted and I'm not sure what to do.

[IDK]

Shit happens. We signed up for a school lead by an inspirational Head. Within a year, he was gone and was replaced by an idiot SportsJock. It took the Governors too long to notice what was going on so he didn't get sacked leave until we did.

Not sure what to do? Tell her to work on her Physics so she comes out with a double B. There is nothing to stop her reading around the subject and learning for herself the bits of Biology that she isn't taught.

[Eolian]

I'm afraid there's not really anything you can do except put up with it or change schools. Parents don't get any say in this kind of policy decision (or in schools becoming academies or not).

[notwhatisignedupfor]

Sorry I thought I had put in the op. Dc has sen. She's trying as hard as she can in physics she just finds it harder. I can absolutely get her help though but I think the decision has already been made.

We signed up to a 14 plus specific style of school and ended up with something different altogether :(

[notwhatisignedupfor]

P.s I would be happy for her to drop physics and keep the other two.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

If it's a state school, they generally offer a 3-GCSE science course (Physics + Chemistry + Biology) or a 2-GCSE science course (still Physics + Chemistry + Biology but 33% less of each).

DS1 did Chemistry & Biology iGCSE (not Physics) last summer, but it was exceptional circumstances and he was the only one in his year group to do so.

Students in state schools in England can't just choose to do Physics & Chemistry GCSE but not Biology. Is it possible that you misunderstood what the school meant by 'separate sciences'?

[TheSecondOfHerName]

I meant to say, students in state schools in England can't just choose to do Biology & Chemistry GCSE but not Physics.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

With the changing from 14-18 to 11-18, I'm not sure there's much you can do.

[notwhatisignedupfor]

Thank you that is very useful. Definately not misunderstood. She's been there since September definitely doing separate biology, chemistry and physics lessons and that was also on her options sheet.

[notwhatisignedupfor]

*Definitely

[TheSecondOfHerName]

If they do change to 11-18, it will take a while. They can't accept new Y7s in September 2017, because the application deadline was last October. They will have to publish their proposed admissions policy and possibly have a consultation period, so you are looking at the first group of Y7s arriving in September 2018 at the earliest, then when they start Y8 (in September 2019), they could admit another group of Y7s. I would guess that to start with, the numbers might be smaller than the usual year group size.

[notwhatisignedupfor]

School have said they will admit year sevens from this September on the consultation. They have already admitted year 8 and 9s out of year.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

In that case it sounds as though they are quite far into the process. If your DD has already started her GCSE courses then moving her could be tricky as it might be difficult to find another school that is doing not only the same specifications but also teaching topics in the same order. It might be one of those situations where you have to accept the changes and try and make the best of it.

[catslife]

Is your dc Y10 or Y11 OP. I think that Y10s are taking the new 9-1 Science GCSEs and Y11s the old style A*-G ones.
Would it perhaps be possible for your dc to take Foundation level for Physics GCSE and Higher level for Chemistry and Biology rather than dropping down to Double award? That's an alternative possibility that would enable her to continue with separate Sciences.

[notwhatisignedupfor]

I would definitely be more than happy with that scenario catslife.

[catslife]

I have sent you a pm notwhatisignedupfor. I would recommend checking with the school whether my suggestion would be possible.