Year 11 parents evening - feel gutted for dd

Sorry - stupid question. Is double science easier than triple science or just less work??

It's two thirds of the content of triple-instead of sitting all three modules in each subject they do two. The third modules are the most difficult ones.

Would she be interested in occupational therapy instead? Is that any easier to get into? I haven't checked I'll admit but it seems to me a similar career with less science needed eg no need for anatomy.

This is just from working with physios and OTs on a hospital ward. Both disciplines are very much an important part of the MDT and help patients get back to/ achieve their best functioning.

It is less work but still all 3 subjects. The qualification is Science Double Award.

It's just less modules.

Maybe email head of biology at the 6th form & ask.

Some schools don't even offer triple snyway so there has to be some provision. (It will be the the first year dd's school has offered triple.

I think its something like Science - Dual Award.

I emailed the head of science as ds's selective school to ask about the double/triple issue & he said they would have no problem accepting dd onto Biology or Chemistry A level as long as she got B at dual award science. In fact he said last year several A* a level scientists had only done dual at GCSE.

Hence why I was interested if the OP's dd knew the alternative routes into physio rather than the traditional academic ones.

The diploma is a 3 year course at Level 6 (higher than A level which is Level 3). 2 a levels can be taken alongside it at the end of the second year. She's thinking maths & biology.

Or she could move schools & do 3 A levels & do the diploma at age 18

Dd won't be doing dance GCSE or a level but professional diplomas which involve knowledge of anatomy & physiology.

From a quick google you can still get onto a degree course with a BTEC Science plus 2 a levels but the BTEC needs to be DDD.

If you were doing 2 A levels at most you would be doing a Diploma (2 A level equivalent) so the most you could get is D D

To get DDD you would need to be doing a '3 A level equivalent' Extended Diploma.

A '1 A level equivalent' is I think a subsidiary diploma.

It seems unfair that PE is counted as a valid option (my dd hates PE) but not dance.

PE GCSE has a lot of science (biology) content as well as practical performance over a number of sports. I may be incorrect, but I don't believe that Dance GCSE has any similar science content. I suspect this is the same for A level?

But I don't want the hijack the OP.

Dance is one option but you have to do a team sport & something else as well. Her current school don't offer GCSE PE & the school she may go for a levels to don't offer dance as an option within it Anyway. The level of dance she will be doing is way beyond anything offered as part of PE, or indeed GCSE dance.

Dd won't be doing a Level 3 btech though - but she might do a Level 6 diploma in professional dance alongside 2 a levels if she doesn't change school.

Surely you can do dance as the activity within pe. Also a dance btec would count.

OP - how does your dd feel about science? Is it a subject she enjoys or is it a means towards an end?

It seems unfair that PE is counted as a valid option (my dd hates PE) but not dance.

Would it be possible for her to do double science instead? If they moved her into a double class at this stage she would hopefully get some very focused revision time and would obviously have less to cover. I know students who have done this and ended up with 2 A grades rather than the predicted 3Cs for triple.

To get onto a physiotherapy degree course you usually need two or three A levels, including a biological science and/or PE, along with five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language, maths and at least one science.

You may also be able to get onto a course with alternative qualifications, including:

BTEC, HND or HNC which includes biological science
relevant NVQ
science-based access course
equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications
a previous degree or a full practising qualification in a related area.

Although obviously check with the uni she wants to apply to.

So from the triple as long as she gets one A-C she should be fine.

She could also consider a physio assistant/support worker. Requirements are different and there is also the option to do an apprenticeship for this..
Then with the experience she has gained as an assistant she could then go to uni as a mature student to become a physio.

But I am no Science teacher. It's what the physio's advised my daughter when she was considering becoming a physio.

I was told to drop history at GCSE as I was, according to the teacher, not academic enough. I was predicted grade E. I got an A then an A at Alevel and went on to study history at an RG university gaining a 2:1. I have since done both a pgce and an MA.

The teacher's comments made me up my game and prove him wrong. Does she think she's up to getting As? If she genuinely believes she can then 1:1 tutoring could make s dramatic difference both to her scores and her self confidence. However, if she's disappointed but feels she really is struggling and couldn't do more then perhaps encourage her to consider playing to her strengths in the humanities.

As an aside, I know a physio who took a nursing degree through clearing (20yrs ago) as she just missed her grades for physio. She qualified, worked for 2yrs then did a post grad 2yr course which qualified her as a physio. So a long way round but 20yrs on I doubt anyone cares that she got a C in biology Alevel instead of the required B. I know someone else, much younger so more recent who wanted to do midwifery but dropped a grade and they wouldn't take her. She also did nursing instead then a 2yr midwifery course straight after graduation.

PLus tbh anyone planning a career so rigidly at 16....
Just get her to get the best grades. Leave the whole job thing. Her job might not even have been invented yet

There is a possibility that dd might only do 2 a levels alongside a Level 6 diploma in dance you see. The dance diploma can then be topped up to a degree after a further year.

I guess she could do an extra a level at an FE college post career/when she's 'resting'

I don't know anything about the masters route.

This is SCHOOL'S issue to sort out.

Go back in- just you. Make an appointment to ask the HoD to meet with you and say what you can do as a team to improve this. They cant just say ' oh she isnt clever enough'. If they are unwilling then get a list of stuff for her to show the tutor.

EXTRA TUITION! What are they doing to make her improve?
What is her FFT target? If she is under that, ( based on KS2 SATS and stuff) then its for THEM to do something