Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Triple Science-Not sure what to think....

78 replies

Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:11

DS1 has asked to be considered for TS. His exam score was high enough for him to be considered.

He doesn't know what direction he is going in for A levels or further.

At parents Evening the Science teacher said that unless he is going to do science at A level there isn't much point doing TS and stressed to us how much work there will be.

Those chosen to be considered if they want to do it now have to produce a piece of work to be assessed. I really don't know.

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 19/06/2013 19:57

Then again, the scenario could be :
Mum, I want to do science A levels but the teacher says I'll struggle because I didn't do the TS. Why did you put me off?

  • from what you say that's unlikely though.
Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:55

Mmm, Grimma part of my worry is DS1's work ethic. He excels in the subjects he enjoys I will say that. He has never raved about Science to my knowledge as he has History say.

Sorry the compulsories are Science, Maths, English Language, English Literature, RS, ICT.

OP posts:
wordfactory · 19/06/2013 19:55

I can only tell you how it's worked for my two.

They get a homework in each subject, each week. So three. Not usually too long though.

Then at the end of each unit in each subject there is a test. This means that there is usually a test looming in one of the sciences at any given time.

I presume that to do it in two years the worklaod would be a bit heavier.

wordfactory · 19/06/2013 19:52

I suppose it also depends on how much extra curric stuff your DS does, too!

If you're heavily committed outside school, you may find that triple burdonsome.

GrimmaTheNome · 19/06/2013 19:52

compulsory subjects vary from school to school so not sure from that whether its reasonable amount or heavy load.

And of course we have no idea of your DSs capacity for work - is he the sort who is happy to put the effort in, especially if its something he's actually asking to do? (It'd be entirely different if it was you who was keen for him to do TS and him who was unsure)

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:50

It is bothering me word.

I envisage the following possibly-

DS1-Mum I hate doing all this Science and staying behind after school I wish I had never opted to do TS.

Me-Angry Well you were desperate to do it. Hmm

DS1-You should have advised me not to.

Me Angry

OP posts:
lljkk · 19/06/2013 19:48

I would talk it all thru with him & let him decide. Definitely I'd want him to do something else if he'd enjoy it more.

wordfactory · 19/06/2013 19:46

Starting a triple in year 10, in the same schedule as the double will be labour intensive.

Not saying it's too difficult, but just to consider it carefully.

bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:44

Confused!!!

I think the ICT teacher said DD was doing some sort of double award, but I have no idea what exactly that meansConfused

My friend who is head of IT in a 6thform college says that GCSE ICT is a load of b***ks anywayGrin

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:41

Certificate in Digital Applications Tilly. isn't that ICT? Grin

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:40

What is CiDA?Confused

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:39

He is doing the compulsory subjects and German, History, Business Studies and CiDA.

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 19/06/2013 19:34

Sciences are good solid subjects. If he does want to carry on with any sort of science/engineering type thing it'll be good he's done them; but even if he doesn't then (provided he doesn't now eg drop history and belatedly want to be a historian) then its no harm to have done them.

Also, if they get a choice of whether to do TS, if he does it then he'll be in with people who want to be there (and generally more able at science) whereas if he doesn't then there's more chance he'll have classmates who aren't too bothered about even the double or who have to have things tediously explained.

The only reason not to do it, that I can think of, is if it would mean he has to drop another 'solid' subject he'd really like to do. How many subjects is he allowed?

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:33

All exams at the end of Year 11. Definitely says after school lessons/late bus. No info on number of lessons.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:30

Aah well he's Year 9 now and wouldn't be starting until Sept in Yr 10.

OP posts:
wordfactory · 19/06/2013 19:28

Things to consider:

Is the triple being done in the same time slot as a double.
When does the course begin.

Both my DC are doing the former and it is quite full on. Both began their courses at the beginning of year 9.

TheWave · 19/06/2013 19:28

Is it TS in the same number of lessons per week as double? In which case you have to be quick at picking up the concepts. Or is it three subjects in terms of time? Also does he/you feel that different children might do TS and this might influence the choice?

Also double can be split up over Yrs 10 and 11 and I thought TS exams would all be in Yr 11 for his cohort.

Fluffy1234 · 19/06/2013 19:27

Yuk..I was a humanities/sociology girl.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:25

Wow 15 hours Fluffy. DS1's school have also said there will be after school classes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:25

Yes, they have to find a Science news article and explain why it interests them, whether the science is valid/well reported etc.

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:23

DD has already started on her TS as they do it from Y9. It's been fine so far, though currently physics which she says is boring. Don't blame her!

bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:22

Do they have to think of their own project?Shock

Fluffy1234 · 19/06/2013 19:20

I think triple science v double science and another traditional subject are a simular amount of work. If your DS really enjoys science then let him choose triple. He would be studying science for 15 hours a fortnight so probably every day.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 19/06/2013 19:18

YY Tilly I feel a bit bad that there is a choice to be made. I wonder whether this piece of work will be used to eliminate people?

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 19/06/2013 19:17

Sparkling, same re DD!

Swipe left for the next trending thread