GCSE Triple Science...is this really how it is now??

Hi Lost - yes I understand that but Bethnella is saying her DD will stop doing biology in year 9 and I know it used to be compulsory that all 3 sciences had to be studied to the end of ks4 - hence they can't take 'just' biology and chemistry at GCSE, they have to take all 3 either as double science or 3 separate sciences ('triple').
....but maybe the rules have changed yet again

hellsbells99 they do all three sciences but the final exams are the equivalent of 2 GCSE's for 'double science'. They have messed it around to a ridiculous level.

sassysally DS1 is doing 'triple science' and it says in bold on the choices form that to do that is the equivalent of taking 3 GCSE's in the time allocated for 2, this may be what they are referring too in the 'fast track' posters school.

OP it's so hard isn't it, DS1 is very science based and wants to do some impossible sounding courses at uni but his school has them all doing 12 GCSE's if they do triple science (well he is doing 11 and BTEC engineering) and I can't help think it would be better to do 9 or 10 really well than 12 in 2 years. I am scared about the home work so goodness only knows how they feel!

I think bethnella is right. And if they fail/do badly in say B1, they have to resit all three - not just B1.

Depends where you are, OP.

My niece is in Wales and taking her GCSEs next month - they are still doing modules and has already sat modules 1 and 2 in all three sciences, so she only module 3 to sit next month

I thought studying all 3 sciences until the end of ks4 was compulsory or has that now changed?

Word, I'm guessing it comes down to league tables. That's the world we live in, sadly.

hellsbells makes a good point about cross fertilisation of the sciences.

The whole point of introducing the triple and double was to ensure that the majority of pupils studied all three ciences at some level. How they sit side by side (and also with maths) is kinda part of the concept.

In fact, DS school goes further and believes even A level sciences should be avoided in isolation where possible, particularly biology and chemistry.

I'd be really interested to know how the science teachers justify the model at the OP's school.

Hells, I don't think DD is planning on taking chemistry for A level! I think the school do it so that there are less exams in Y11. The other local comp does the same, but biology in Y10 instead of chemistry.

Bigtilly - not sure I would want my DC doing AS level chemistry if they hadn't studied it for a year. AS builds on gcse knowledge, is a big step up and fast paced.
The approach that Creamteas posted - core, additional and then further seems more logical and sensible.
As I previously posted DD2 is doing all 9 papers this year and it does all seem to make more sense to them when they have studied all the modules. The most illogical thing is the exam timetable hasn't changed from the modular approach of last year - so unit 1 exams are 2 weeks after unit 2 & 3!

At my DCs school biology, physics and chemistry are taught as 3 distinct subjects from Y7 on, everyone (or nearly everyone) does GCSEs in all 3 over 2 years Y10 and 11.

'DD is just finishing fast track triple science
they have done (in 2 years and 6 terms)'

That isn't 'fast track', that is standard

DD is doing triple science. It is a three year course I think they studied all three for the first year and then the first term this year, but they have concentrated on Chemistry this term as they sit Chemistry this year (Y10) They will go back to biology and physics after the exams and sit them in Y11.

I agree, it is a lot of facts to be learned. Same as when I did Olevels

OP, you're right that posters on here have backed up your concerns - it's not that I was referring to.

It's how you manage your anxiety about this that's key. If your DD must study GCSE sciences in the way you describe and there's no way round it, you are going to have to support her without making her as anxious as you feel. No mean feat, for sure.

I'm not sure how I'd feel about my DC starting an A level in a subject they hadn't studied in two years. I know it's not the same, but DS is starting A levels in September, and three out of four of his chosen subjects he's never studied before!

OP, I understand your concerns, but your posts seem full of anxiety - I'm concerned you're going to pass on your stresses about this to your DD. In one of your posts you say you are sad she might give up geography because it was your favourite subject! You need to try to be calm and rational about this so that you are ready for any future meetings with the school and you don't come across in the wrong way.

Of course your DD's education is important, but I don't think it's healthy for either of you if you make it "the most important thing to [you]". It is her education, not yours and you need to get some perspective if you want to give her the kind of support she will need over the next few years.

Early entry or multiple exams, the dilemma isn't an easy one to balance. It is a difficult call for schools as which ever why they go some pupils will lose out.

A school near me is doing something similar, but going the other route.

Year 9 = Core
Year 10 = Additional
Year 11 = Further

At least that way they are still studying all three sciences in year 11.

Obviously if Gove wasn't an idiot, he would have given exam boards the chance to design terminal assessed courses. Moving modular exams to the end, is the worst thing he could do.

I'm a science teacher (although now a SAHM, but still....) and I don't know of any school that does this. I think it is total madness, and if I was asked to teach like this I would look to move to another school. There is no way a student will be able to cope with A level biology after not doing it since year 9, and biology results would be lower than chemistry I imagine. I know some schools have one teacher taking all 3 sciences, and so split the courses up bio1, chem1, phys1 for example, but not splitting whole subjects across 3 years. Personally we did it as 3 separate subjects taught by specialist teachers starting in the summer term of year 9. Not all schools are lucky enough to have so many specialist teachers to cater for this however.

suburban
Gove is moving things back to how they were when I did my GCEs
memory was as important as capacity for learning.
sadly, being the twit that Gove is, he has thrown the "module" baby out with the "rigour" bathwater
as the Economist has just criticised him for
www.economist.com/news/britain/21601247-attempts-build-snazzy-german-style-apprenticeship-system-crash-cultural-and-economic

talkinpeace, I wasn't aware the teaching route you describe was called "fast-track science".

I was under the impression it was one of Gove's wizard wheezes, as his personal view was that studying science in modules over two years was not as challenging.

Like many on here, DS has nine science exams in a few weeks time - everything having to be remembered from the beginning of Year 10 onwards.

In other words, it is perfect for people with a good memory for facts.

OP
My DD wanted to be a vet.
She organised a week of work experience with a Vet practice (8.30 to 5.30 5 days)
she came away determined not to be a vet

• dealing with idiot owners
• utterly unrealistic expectations of pre degree work experience
• 6 years of student debt
• no holidays in that 6 years due to needing to clock up the experience hours
• working for a pittance for ten years until a partnership place comes up

she is now aiming for biochemistry at Ivy League
I utterly support her in that turn around