Can shool force my son to take double, not individual, sciences?

Thats the problem we are facing. Can do Science at A level if you have done well in that particular paper at triple.

Double award is fine but high grades do require a good ability across the disciplines. If you are poor at, let's say, Physics (because when I was at school that was the one everyone 'hated')you might be better doing triple and nabbing great grades to take A levels on Biology and Chemistry and a less good grade at Physics. In double award the Physics would pull you down across the board.

You might want to think about his 6th form options - every school is different, I know, but does he need individual science to do A levels in those subjects? At my DD's school, it s a requirement to have done indiv science to take an A level in the subject (but not so at the 6th form colleges)

Sounds good Jules

how did the meeting go?

By all means have a chat with them but most state schools do have a cut off in ability where triple science is not an option. No doubt for very good reason! That's why we, at early year 9, are trying to get to the bottom of what our son needs to do to get him back up to the level needed to sit the exam.

I'm primary, and having dealt with several parents who have come from private over the years, under the impression that their children were very able, an evidence-based approach tended to stump some of them.
Some have also been surprised that a child who was at the top of his set in a class of 15 was now average in a Y6 class of 32. Largely because of the lack of independent learning skills.
So I agree, the school are working from the evidence they have, what do you have to counter that?

What sort of marks was he getting at his previous school? Was any if his work marked against GCSE criteria?

You are going to have to provide some more evidence of his brilliance in science before they are going to accept your word that his poorer performance since starting at the state school is due to studying different topics and settling in. Otherwise it just sounds like a whole bunch of excuses.

They will be working on the evidence they have collected and their professional judgement. And this should not be under estimated

They can refuse him a place on the triple course because studying Core science is actually the only compulsary part of the curriculum set out by the Government. The rest is then optional, with the assumption most will do a second or third GCSE.

So dig up some evidence of what you are saying. Don't go in there making demands and do show an appreciation of the difficulty of sorting setting out and the efforts they have gone to so far.

Do the school have any written proof that he was working very well in science at the previous school? Unless they have I don't think you can blame them for changing his class.

Ah - you have a meeting on Monday!

Round here, the standard requirement for getting onto science A level courses is a B in the individual GCSE or in Additional Science. So when I am setting Triple and Double Award groups, I want to maximise the chance of the child getting at least a B. There is obviously an element of trying to read the future in this, but we use the evidence we have and try to make the best decision. There are of course some students who are right on the borderline, and then it is very difficult, and sadly comes down to group numbers. You need to contact the Head of Science and talk to her/him about it. I regularly field such calls and am happy to explain my rationale.

THAT'S interesting as well! Dd3 will be starting year 10 next September so will be in the 'guinea pig' year.

ah - thanks, Talker - I saw Y9 but didn't register that was in June

That's interesting to know. At dd1's school everyone did the double (few years ago now), at dd2's school you were told whether you would be doing the single or double, and at the end of year 10, 'invited' to do the triple in year 11 if the school thought you were capable of it. I didn't realise it was up to the individual school how it was decided.

\link{http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/jun/26/final-year-exams-replace-modules-gcse\they're going back to final exams at end of Y11 instead of modules} for those starting GCSE work in Sept 2012

Ponders ... phase out = yes BUT the OPs son is in Y10 now so before any changes

OP ... I missed the bit about "oh great less work"

First ... how is it less work ... surely he will be taking a different option instead of the triple science

Second ... if that is his stand point I cannot imagine the science team would be keen to have him in triple groups

Aren't they going to phase out the early GCSEs? (or is that wishful thinking?)

hocuspontas ... that greatly depends on the school

Some teach Core quickly, Additional quickly, and then the triple element ... the OP son would be working at the wrong pace

Others teach Core and Additional as with the double and then the triple alongside ... the OP son would miss at least one triple subject

With the changes to the Science curriculum and the increase in students starting GCSE in Y9 there may be further complexities

You seem to be forgetting that the school have your child's best interests at heart. Also a governor would not be able to make such comments, why didn't you speak to the Headteacher? Schools have to judge pupils on how they perform in the classroom not on what mummy thinks.

Don't the triple modules get done in year 11? If so, your ds has a while to prove himself and by then they could maybe jiggle the timetable for him.

double science will be good enough even if he wants to go on to do science at A level; &, presumably, would give him the opportunity to take another subject which he wouldn't otherwise have (& the choice is restricted enough as it is once all the compulsory subjects are included)

martianbishop, an inspirational secondary science teacher who used to post here a lot, esp on threads like this, always said there was no need to take triple.