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Original poster

GCSE 21st Century Science

33 replies

thelibster · 01/02/2011 02:06

My DD2 (year 11) is currently at a specialist music school but has made the decision to leave at the end of this year and come home to a local state school for sixth form, as she wants to do medicine at university. I was surprised and very disappointed to learn from the head of biology at a local secondary school that the 21st Century Science course she is following at her current school is not adequate preparation for A levels. She thought that she was a good science student (she is predicted A/A* in all three and has scored 100% in two of the six modules already taken) but now self-doubt is creeping in. Any Science teachers out there with any advice please?

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Original poster
thelibster · 01/02/2011 10:23

Am really confused now! Your first link is to the IGCSE course and your second to the GCSE course that DD is on, she is doing the triple science option which is listed here www.21stcenturyscience.org/the-courses/triple-science,1423,NA.html. I have confused the issue by referring to modules rather than papers. She has done papers 1 and 2 (modules 1,2 & 3 and modules 4,5 and 6 respectively) already and is taking paper 3 (module 7) in each in the summer. Please, Talkinpeace, could you ask your DH to look at this and let me know what I should be getting for her to study over the summer? Does he think it will be impossible for her to achieve good grades at A level? I would be so grateful.

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Relaxmum · 01/02/2011 10:14

Hi thelibster

We are currently going through this problem with DD, as your daughter she did 21st Century science last summer. she got to independent college in scholarship to study Biology, Chemistry, and two other A level. Like your DD she wants to study Medicine. She had the most stressful 1st term, espcially with chemistry. the gap is unbelievable, it reduced her to tears most of the time. The positive thing is go back and learn the basic and this term she just got to the level of her peers with chemistry but still need work with biology. All I can say is 21st century is a waste of time and not fair on kids want to study science A Level. Try Livescience.co.uk was life saver for chemistry for my DD.

Good Luck

Talkinpeace · 01/02/2011 10:09

www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/igcse/subject?assdef_id=1001
The first paragraph proves that it is NOT a true science qualification
www.21stcenturyscience.org/

its the kind of thing found in the bilges of a ship....

Original poster
thelibster · 01/02/2011 10:03

Oh dear, Talkinpeace, what is a bilge course? (Hangs head in shame at total ignorance) Blush

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Talkinpeace · 01/02/2011 09:41

sounds like a bilge course to DH (who knows such things shall we say)

Original poster
thelibster · 01/02/2011 08:17

Thanks mummytime. She has been told that she can get 3 seperate sciences by taking an extra module in each subject, which she is on course to do. Her older brother did the same course but only took two modules in each subject so has a duel award. DD2 has already taken two in each subject and is taking a third in each in the summer. I did ask the teacher who "poo-pooed" the course what she should be looking at before she came and she replied that it would be up to DD to find out to prove how motivated she is! Thanks for the tip on the CGP guidance books. I will certainly get the one you mentioned and look out for any more!

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mummytime · 01/02/2011 08:09

Most schools will take pupils on to A'level with good grades in double science, which I believe is what your daughter will get from 21st Century Science. However, there is a considerable gap between double Science and A'level, and it can be a struggle to bridge it. If your daughter is highly motivated, she should resign herself to working on this over the summer. CGP produce a book on this gap, eg. Headstart to AS Chemistry. She could also ask her new school for guidance on what she should be looking at. Some self study will also help her prepare for the change in studying needed for A'levels.

Original poster
thelibster · 01/02/2011 07:50

Bump.

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