Can anyone talk to me about Core Science GCSE as opposed to Triple Science please ?

I had one student who studied the extra modules in their own time and sat them as a private candidate. You could do this-she wouldn't be able to sit year 10rxams with other double students, but would need to sit them all at end of year 11. Our student was allowed to complete the USA with other triple students.

Actually, in my school he would have probably be turned down as well . Our triple science group are normally only level 7 pupils. But we complete triple sci in the same amount of lessons as core and additional (so don't use an option choice).
I only know of one 6th form near here (major city) that insists on triple to do Alevel science, and it is a grammar school. The pupils that have really wanted a place have taken Further Additional (basically the missing modules from triple) to get in.

It's difficult. Your ds may really really wwantthis, but I think the school have made the right choice. I don't think my school is particularly academic, but a L6b would equate to being in about set 3-4 which is normally pupils that achieve Bs. This is for 2 GCSEs. For triple, like the pp has said, you run the risk of that dropping to Cs. Then you won't get onto an A level course at all!

Ds1 has been given dual award science too and I'm annoyed. Almost no one has been 'allowed' triple science. As far as I can tell this is to give him more time trying to get a c in French so he can fulfil the school's ebacc targets rather than anything to do with his science ability or what he wants in life. In fact, no one at school has so much as asked DS what he wants to do. The computer issued an offer and that's all the discussion there was.

My DS is Level 7 and has chosen not to do Triple. The science teacher told him that his son had done double and then gone on to do science A Levels and that choosing Triple should not mean closing any other doors. I think DS now has a better chance of higher grades with the double. A friend's son got three Cs with the Triple and I think that two B's might have looked better. DS is happy with his other GCSE options so no closed doors to other subjects.

My only concern is that with the brighter students creamed off to do Triple, the Double classes will be more mixed ability and therefore have behaviour issues.

DD1 got lumbered with core and additional. Long story, she's dyslexic and the head of science is an idiot, who thinks he knows her and hasn't a clue. He had to cover his arse for putting her in set 3 in Y7. Based souly on a numeracy CAT when she was bursting for the loo.

It almost certainly won't bother her as she got an A for core and (the highest mark, she only missed her A on a bad CA) will get A/A for additional (and almost certainly A for maths).

Both DH and me are scientists, DD1 already knows plenty of A level and degree level science.

She's staying on at the same school and gets in great with the rest of the science dept. who know she acts as TA 1/2 the time.

Fortunately, she wants to do a particular branch of science that doesn't need a RG university.

Many schools only offer core and additional science and are able to go onto do science A levels.

Core involves Bio 1, Phys 1 and Chem 1
Additonal science involves Bio 2, Phys 2 and Chem 2
Triple Science involves all the above plus Bio 3, Phys 3 and Chem 3. It includes additonal topics rather than additional depth.

Don't assume that only the less academic pupils do core and additional as many take this route if they want to take an additional language. < not that you said that!

What reason did your school give for your DC not being allowed to take triple science?

Hi AF
Ex Head of Science here.
Technically, the school are right that Core and Additional Science shouldn't close doors to a science based career, but specialist and very competitive courses like Veterinary Science and Medicine would generally be looking for Triple Science GCSE.

If your DC wants to go on to science A-Levels, Triple Sciences are a better way in (though again, it is possible to do them from Core and Additional Science, it is a bigger jump).

Many schools ask that the student is a secure Level 6 in Science in Year 9 to consider Triple Sciences. It may be that your DC's school has only one set doing Triple Science so they are being more picky.

If your DC is really keen and at least a Level 6, I would push to see whoever is in charge of Options and push the case. Best of luck.

If there is a possibility of wanting to study science at A level then triple science is much better prep, some 6th forms insist on it

If you don't mind sharing, what sort of level is she in science and maths at the moment?