DD didn't get GCSE options

You need to talk to the Head before you talk to exam boards (nothing to do with them) and the DfE.

The lower sets will certainly do work that will enable them to access level 6s and 7s. When I set my year 9s into 10s, not all of my top sets went into the triple groups, and some of my second sets did. It is a difficult decision at the borderline, of course it is. And it is about the numbers often.

I dream of a triple group with only 24 in. That doesn't sound "full" to me. It sounds like 24 students were selected.

The big difference for us is that we push our higher achieving Core and Additional students to get the grades required for A level Sciences. We encourage them to aim for it.

I can't see how the school is doing its job as a science specialist of promoting science education (and especially boosting the numbers of girls taking science which is also a government-identified area for concern) if it is restricting the numbers taking triple science so severely that there are interested and able top-set girls being excluded.

The idea that a school can exclude a pupil who is aiming for a science-based career from triple science and then on the basis of their decision exclude her from the A levels is incredibly wrong. The country needs people with STEM skills far more than a bunch of arbitrary EBacc qualifications. And this is, IIRC what the OP said, supposed to be a school with a 'science specialism'? .

Well she would have done the syllabus for each science if she covers the third unit externally.

The school will have to nail its colours to the mask:

1. Why exactly do they not feel she's capable, especially in the light of her current attainment? If they give cogent enough reasons then
2. Will they exclude her from A2 if she hasn't done triple? If yes, then
3. Will they accept her onto A2 if she covers the work externally at her own expense [and does well in the double GCSE]?

It wouldn't matter so much if the school would consider her for science A-levels with dual, but it seems as if they are saying students can only do science A-levels if they have done triple. Madness.

If your DD is absolutely set on Medicine - which would require her in practice to do Biology to A2 as well as the Chemistry - but the school is currently doubting her, I think what I'd be inclined to do myself would be to find a reputable tutor to guide her through the extra unit for each, but without necessarily signing up for external exams. Physics too, if she is keen on that too, though far fewer med applicants take it.

That would minimise the impact in terms of additional work outside school, avoid hassle with the admin of exams, avoid a head on confrontation with her school and not rock her boat socially, yet position her for the A2 course if she does well enough in the double award to make it reasonable to go ahead.

The school would be in an incredibly weak position to refuse her on the A2 courses if she can demonstrate that she's covered the ground voluntarily - especially if she's managed A on the double award (science teachers out there: am I right in thinking that it's harder to get an A on Unit 3?). If she's serious about it and really truly sees herself as a medic, this might also persuade her to cut the chat!

Ponders - trust me universities do not have a magic list of which schools do and don't offer triple science.

I think the question must be: is the decision because the school doesn't think she's up to triple science for whatever reason and please could they tell you straight.

Yes. TBH if she's not up to doing triple science, she should adjust her ambitions. While a doctor who's done double GCSE is fine, a doctor who wasn't capable of having done it would really not be.

I would query the only 25 places for triple science anyway- what if there was a very bright year group and there were many more pupils that had the ability to take it? Seems very rigid.
unfortunately, it seems a lot of schools just have one 'top set' doing triple science. Maybe they are limited by lab space - that could be a logistical issue.

25 places does seem very low. My DDs school (just changed to academy) have 200 in the year (8 classes) and 66 are taking the triple science split into 3 classes. They have to take it as an option choice though and had to be level 6. They are encouraged to take it if they want to do science at A level.

that does make a difference to UCAS applications

if your school doesn't offer an option that's fine

but if it does & you don't do it, & it's relevant to your course, it can affect your chances

I'm confused how the school can meet the requirement for level 6+ to be offered triple if they only do it as fast study option.

I would think some level 6's would need the extra option block time to study and, if the school, isn't doing it that way then they are not meeting the DfE criteria mentioned before. Maybe it's an academy, do they have to meet the criteria?

YellowTip - Because that was all they offered. It's an academically selective boys' school.

I would query the only 25 places for triple science anyway- what if there was a very bright year group and there were many more pupils that had the ability to take it? Seems very rigid.

That's a very impressive success rate LittleFrieda. But how come all eleven applicants took dual?

I think the question must be: is the decision because the school doesn't think she's up to triple science for whatever reason and please could they tell you straight.

NakedPuffin - At my son's school 11 applied to read medicine and 9 got in. All of them did dual award science. Why would a GCSE chemistry be important when you have an A or A at A level chemistry? WHy would a GCSE Biology be important when you have an A or A at A level in biology?

OP Of course if it's important to your DD that she does triple science, then please make a fuss. BUt don't make your argument about Med School as it's not a valid reason.

Her DD might go to a girls school WhatTheCatDraggedIn

Apparently all the girls who didn't get their choices were shuffled onto the EB programme, coincidence?

Do you think there is a sexism angle here? Can you find out the gender mix of the class?

This seems absolutely crazy and if I was in your position I would be creating hell.

Now ask them what % of their current medical students did dual award.

Oxford spell it out here and say that the dual award science for medicine is fine:

here

9 is standard at some schools. Hence why 9 is enough for FE. Most universities look either at the overall %age A*s and As, or else just look at the top 8 regardless of how many taken.

GCSE's are treated differently by different universities and departments. Leaving aside the effect of contextual data, some look at the number of As and put a premium on that, some assign a score for each grade and add it up and some calculate the percentage of A against the total number of GCSEs sat.

Ahhh, ok. My bad, as they say. Yes, that would exlain the uber-selectiveness of it.

I am still a bit lost on the 9 (not 10) GCSEs though but that is taking it off topic, so not relevant.

It sounds as if at El24s school the triple science group don't get extra lessons Kes. Some schools do it this way - the triple group just cover the work faster. It also explains why they are being even more selective on ability than usual.

El24, 9 GCSEs is fine for even the most competitive courses - I know offer holders from Cambridge who only did 9.

Cross post frieda!