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Original poster

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

28 replies

jules62 · 10/09/2011 13:30

My son left private school, after major issues re; verbal abuse and bullying over 2years. Started a good school in june 2011, year 9. previous to this I met with governor and expressed what options chosen for g.c.s.e's and was told 'no problem that they could and would accommodate'. Sent a letter from school on 18th july, (I was away, did not read letter, before school broke up) to be told they have decided he is to do double science, not triple, as he did not do well in his exams. obviously the syllabus was different from what he had been following and he was trying to fit in, so he did not concentrate on his work as he should and his exams suffered. BUT we had already discussed and teachers were made aware. HE is very bright as he gained a full bursary for private school, so i feel that he should be able to do single sciences as he wanted. He is thinking 'great less work' but i feel he should be challenged, as now he is aware of the need to knuckle down. His school is saying also, that stress levels will be lower when doing single science. His day is now 8.00-3.30 inc travel, as opposed to 7.20-5.00, so he has more time to unwind etc and then do homework. So stress levels along with the bullying has already decreased. Also whilst in private school he was doing well in biology, 'flashes of pure brilliance' chemistry 'excellent' and improving in physics,. Therefore can the school refuse to let him take the individual sciences and force our hand? have a meeting on monday. any thoughts?

OP posts:
Talker2010 · 10/09/2011 14:55

Which child would you like to be removed from the triple science group so that your son can take their place

Of course you should put your case to the school but there may be limited places in the groups

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 10/09/2011 14:46

Go and talk to the school, with your reasons. They will be going on the evidence of coursework and end of KS3 exams, which is not very much so far, so if you make a good case they may well listen.
But they will also listen to your son, so it is important that he wants to do triple science as well, not just his parent.

alibubbles · 10/09/2011 14:36

I made my DD do individual science instead of dual, she told me that if she'd done double science she would have got 2 A*s instead of 2 A's and a B, which actually turned out to be pretty much what happened with the rest of her year group.

She was brilliant in Chemistry and Physics and did A level in the latter, unless your DS is wanting to do all 3 at A level. I wouldn't worry about it.

Someone else may think differently, so interested to see opinions.