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

and by the way, DD1 has found the jump from GCSE to AS level huge!

• she is also taking all 3 sciences and maths at AS level

DD1 who is now in year 12 took them modular as they were allowed to then. But her first biology paper which she took in year 10, she re-took at the end of year 11 along with module 3 and she said it was so much easier and made much more sense once she had finished the whole course - and she went from a B to an A* in that paper.
DD2 is in year 11 and taking all her exams in the 3 sciences this summer. She is practising past papers etc. and will be fine. She is planning to take all 3 sciences and maths at AS level. She took the maths GCSE in year 10 and her school were planning for her set to take AS maths in year 11 (new initiative) - I emailed in saying DD2 couldn't take the AS exams in year 11 (although I didn't mind her doing the work) as she wants to do medicine and most universities want the A levels taken over 2 years only. The maths teacher spoke to the careers department (which they should have done initially) and emailed me back agreeing with me, so instead they have followed a level 3 algebra course in year 11 which is still very good preparation for the AS level. You need to talk to the school and spell out that this could impact on your DD's A Levels and university choices.

My DCs school treat triple science as though they were taking 3 separate subjects - which is what they are! So biology is timetabled in the same way that geography is, physics like history is etc.

He is doing French GCSE this year. His whole year is. That's how the school does it. No MFL for him after that (he is doing English, Maths, RE, PE (0.5), triple science, comp sci, history and music going forward. We did have concerns about the history but apparently he is excellent at that (I suspect his difficulties with English are psychological as well as dyslexic related. He isn't 'blocked' for history. And he has an outstanding bank of knowledge on history stuff, which boosts his confidence)). We may consider getting him off Eng Lit if the need arises. It would be a shame but you've got to be realistic. The sad thing is, he's one of the best 'read' kids in his year, if you count going to the theatre and audio books. He is familiar with a vast array of shakespeare, for example. :(

bethnella TBH I feel that DS getting a C in English is in everyone's best interest. His own just as much as the school's. If the school were making a fuss about French or PE or something, I'd be angry. Because ultimately, he doesn't need them. But he needs a pass at English to do anything, really (and he is a very very bright boy, his issue is with writing and, to a lesser extent reading, not with his innate ability. Dyslexia is a real bugger).

DD1 did triple science, they had separate physics chemistry and biology lessons each 2 week period. DA is doing triple, he is in Y9 but they started the triple/double split in March, they are doing blocks - so a bit of biology for a few weeks, then a bit of chem, then a bit of physics..but he is only Y9. I don't know what they do in Y10 and Y11 (I don't even know if they take the double exam in Y10 and then the triple a year later). What I do know is that you can drop down from triple to double because DS has been told that unless his English (his problem subject - dyslexic) stays on course for a decent result (for him the school are saying B but will live with a C I think) then down he will drop even though he is working close to the top of the science and maths groups. The only reason the school let him do triple was that the science and maths (especially) staff made a bit of a fuss when he was originally allocated to double because they said it would be grossly unfair, he wouldn't have a peer group in the sets he would perforce be placed in (because of timetabling issues).

I see no improvement in his attitude towards English at the moment though, so we shall see what we shall see. I understand his issues (rather better, I suspect, than the school does - I don't think the teachers realise how English homework's have driven him to tears) but I do accept that if he needs extra time for English (which to be fair the school are very prepared to give him) that has to come from somewhere.

DD1 is doing triple science, starting from Yr9, and her school is definitely NOT doing this. It's barking.

Absolutely loopy. They should be studying all three subjects over three years and taking all the exams at the end of Year 11, for the best outcomes.

My DD (Y11) is doing triple science and is sitting them all at once (Very soon and is currently poring over chemistry as i type!)

I have DD in Y9 and DS1 in Y11. Both started triple in Y9. The three top sets rotate around each other doing a week of each subject.

I have seen a thread this week where the posters DC did biology in Y10 and the other two in Y11 which is slightly better.

Bonkers especially as they'll mature so much between year 9 and 11. With the best will in the kids are going to find A* near impossible in year 9 surely?

Really going to make it hard for the ones who want scientific careers eg medicine that, for better or worse need A/A* at GCSE to help their uni applications progress - and, actually I'd love to hear from one of the uni applications team at a decent uni what they think. Certainly A levels for medicine really must be done in a single exam year - unless there are exceptional circumstances - it demonstrates that you can juggle and cope with it all.

That sounds bonkers to me, too. My DD's school did something similar, to get around a change od syllabus; they sat all their Biology and Chemistry modules in Years 9 and 10, then covered the whole PHysics syllabus in Year 11. It left anyone wanting to do Biology of Chemistry at A level in a bad position as they hadn't studied the subject for a year. I also strongly feel that trying to do the whole of one subject ina year is not advisable; it's tantamount to cramming. It takes time for concepts to sink in and there needs to be time to revisit them. I would protest loudly against this arrangement.

DD is just finishing fast track triple science
they have done (in 2 years and 6 terms)
Year 10 : Bio 1, Phys 1, Chem 1, Bio 2, Phys 2, Chem 3
yEAr 11 : Phys 3, Chem 3 , Bio 3, revision, revision, revision

DS will start GCSE in september and from what I can gather the structure will be the same

Do not worry about being 'that parent'.

As a parent, it is your responsibility to educate your DC and consequently your job to ensure the resources you use, such as school, are doing a reasonable job.

Ask for an appointment and email questions beforehand so you don't just getted fobbed off with 'we'lll look into it.'

FWIW, I don't know any schools that undertake science in the way your school intends.

I'm a secondary teacher, though not of science, but I can confirm they don't do this in my school, or any other that I know of. My initial reaction is that you would have a lot of explaining to do to Ofsted in terms of how this course of action benefited the pupils, because I can see several major disadvantages.

Sounds mad to me. DD2 is in yr11 and taking 'triple' science so she has 3 exams in each this year. She is taking all 3 at AS level next year and I think would really struggle if she hadn't studied them all recently as the jump is so large anyway.
Also she was looking at uni courses yesterday and a couple of courses are already out of the window we think as they specify best 8 gcses results taken in 1 sitting - she is only doing 7 this summer as she has already completed a couple early (English language and maths) although she is doing a level 3 maths algebra exam as well.

The other problem is having science gcses taken over 3 years looks poor when applying to university. Taking a range of GCSEs in one sitting demonstrates ability. The school is limiting its pupils opportunity to attend top universities.