First Science GCSE module in yr9 - is this notmal

I think this is a strange year to do early modules in year 9 given that the specifications have changed and the first exam won't be available until November.

Lots of schools take the modular approach to science subjects, since it can take the pressure off in the later part of the course. They have been going for several years.

As far as I recall, each of the ten modules is worth 2% of the total mark in double science. Each will be based on the work of the last term or two.

All the modular tests I've seen have been 20 or 30 minute multiple choice tests, though that could vary according to the awarding body. (So they shouldn't be a cause of huge anxiety.) Most schools will permit retakes if results are disappointing.

I'd have thought it unlikely that doing double, instead of triple, science would make any difference to the timing of the tests, at least in the early days. Schools tend to wait until they have a clear idea of potential before making a final decision on this, and like therefore to keep maximum flexibility.

I think she needs to know when she would sit the modules if she didn't take triple science but took the - I think compulsory - double science. It may well be pretty much the same time anyway and that might tip her back to Triple Science as a choice.

My daughter has just had her first module results and done very well. She also finished one in 20 minutes (she got grade C - maximum for her foundation paper) and the second in 30 minutes (and got one mark off the C). I think she had 40/45 minutes for each, so it doesn't appear that the come with the sort of time pressure you get on the exams we remember. I suspect the terminal papers will be worse in that way.

Because you learn the unit and are then tested on them I don't think you need the maturity you do for terminal type exams, where you never know what subjects will crop up and need to time manage well.

Its common to do the first module in January of year 10 anyway, so it's only 6 months early.

My daughter is also doing English a year early in June of year 10 and Maths six months early in Novemeber of year 11. No, she's not an A grade student but a borderline C/D on both. I think it's a way of making sure she gets two bites of the cherry (a bit like our double entering CSE and O level I suppose). I have always said they shouldn't be so lazy with the foundation and higher papers and that wold allow children to sit both, which presently they don't.

As my daughter is a borderline student, I am delighted she'll get these chances but I don't think I would be so happy with a A grader - what is the point of a C to them?

DD1 has been doing modules regularly since year 9. Her first one was a huge shock and she was horrified when she got a D for it. A mixture of not revising properly and nerves. She's got As in all the others since.

Her school has a No Resits policy so any crap grades are counted in overall results.

My DD is in Year 9 and sat a module (Biology 1) in January; she will be sitting Chemistry 1 in June. The science teacher told us that this is to take the pressure off those doing triple science who otherwise would have to do 9 modules over Years 10 and 11.

DD got a good mark so I'm very relieved but I really don't think they should sit GCSE modules so early as they are not really mature enough. This was borne out by the results in the year as a whole - there will be a LOT of resits.

Lots of schools are doing very early entries now, especially in the modular exams. Maths Mod1 in yr9 is quite common now, I haven't heard of the science before, but I'm not surprised.

At ds1's school currently they do very little early entry, which I'm pleased about as I want ds1 to get top grades first time, which he's more likely to get in yr11.

But they've just got a new HT, who is more results oriented, and I suspect this approach may change.

Early entry is about "banking results - ie Cs" for the school, especially from the C/D borderline classes.