AIBU poor GCSE options?

Lots of good advice here already, but just wanted to add something about options in year 8. Have you looked carefully into how they do options? DD's school do limited options in year 8, and then final options in year 9.

With the new GCSEs it's bit advised to take so many as some people were once doing. 8 or 9 is ample. 10/11 are not recommended, even for very bright children.

Triple science is not required for a levels. Although some schools do offer it, it's not usually open for all. At dd's school (and others we know of) it's inly done by a few and only after a 1:1 meeting between child and teachers.

Whilst a language is advised (Ebac) it isn't compulsory at all schools. It is certainly an option but not something everyone has to do.

At dd's school they must all do: 2 English, Maths, Double Science. They can then choose 4 additional subjects - of these they are recommended to choose one language and one humanities, but not compulsory. For those opting for triple science it comes out of those choices.

There is no compulsory GCSE in re or pe at her school though all do those subjects, just not as much lesson time as hose doing the GCSE and no exam.

Another who would say check if they are compulsory as GCSEs as all schools have to deliver some RE/PSHE / PE lessons. Most don't make them take them as GCSEs though.
that said, I understand the thinking of 'we've got to teach half an option's time on RE, we might as well top it up and do the GCSE, as it's an excellent academic subject with really good transferable skills'.
9 is pretty normal for the new GCSE provision (for able dc).
I have a dd and a ds who have already done GCSEs, and a dd2 going through the same school, but she will end up with fewer as there is no taking extras a year early, and no coursework so it will all be on final exams, so the schools have said no more trying to do 11 or 12.
Also, if your ds is only in Yr7, I wouldn't expect it still to be the same for his GCSEs, as these things change year on year, unfortunately.

At my son's selective private school they also do a 3 year key stage 3. It's not a bad thing IMO, nothing worse than trying to study drama with loads of kids who don't want to!

At DDs school they also sit 9 GCSEs as standard but can do more as fast track (lunch time and after school) if they wish. Especially Languages. Is that a possibility for your son?

PE and PHSE is also compulsory but not as a GCSE.

They do however offer separate sciences, but otherwise it's the same as your school. Assuming that PE/PHSE don't have to be included as GCSE's 9 should give him a good balance.

My DD is likely to do, eng x 2, maths, science x 3, pe, Geog/Hist, 1 other TBC and fast track Spanish. Seems fine to me.

Thanks Daisies

Are you absolutely sure PE /PSHE is down as a GCSE? Because teaching PE and PHSE is compulsory in state schools so PE would appear as one of the core subjects on the timetable. It would be quite unlikely to be a compulsory GCSE.

Also, at my DS's school, triple science is taken by the top set only in the timetabled double science time. it isn't an option. Teaching triple science over 3 years in the double science slot should be perfectly achievable for bright pupils. Could this be the case?

I would be interested in the A level science outcomes for double v triple students at GCSE and in the difference in take-up of A level science courses between schools where everyone does double award v those with the triple option.

Literally no difference in outcomes for A levels, unless they were made to do double because they were in a lower set (so less able to start with) rather than actively chose double or had to do it because the school didn't do triple. I've got three science a levels and two science degrees with double award at gcse and now teach science.

My DD2 (now year 13) 'only' did 9 GCSEs. She was also supposed to do a half GCSE in PE but we spoke to the school in year 11 and said we didn't want her entering for the exam and they were fine about it. Everyone had to do either half GCSE or sports leadership award - but this was taught in normal PE time which is compulsory anyway. She also didn't have to take a language or humanity but chose to - and I think this is how it should be as it is unfair to make pupils take an option is they won't succeed in it. The only difference is she could choose to do triple science. DD was offered an interview at Oxford this year (which she turned down) so her GCSEs were fine.

Whether you're doing triple or double science at my DD's school you get five classes a week in science, so if doing triple science you don't have to take it as an extra option. This may be the reason it's not listed at the school's website. If science is concerning you, phone the school and speak to them - they may be able to reassure you.

My DD is at a school who offer 10/11 GCSEs (depending on whether you're doing triple science as an extra). At a recent meeting they said they're acknowledging the new GCSEs could be harder (although unknown at this stage) and therefore from September onwards all students will only be doing 9/10 GCSEs, more schools may think this way, I don't know.

As said before, at this stage you don't know what your son will be interested in doing for GCSE. My DD could take five options at the time and she only chose one that I'd have expected.

Lack of triple science is not necessarily an issue in itself - lots of students go on to science A levels and science degrees from ds's independent school after double at GCSE, because they have do many other subjects or extra-curriculars they want to do, too. However, it does suggest a weak cohort or a lack of science teachers (not unusual anywhere, sadly).

Simon is also right: you not only don't know how interested ds will continue to be in sciences, you also don't know how able he will continue to be. At primary age, a child can seem very able in a subject, but that can drop off. At primary, ds was considered exceedingly able at science, also in maths - he won gold medals in UKMT etc and thought he would take A level maths. Now, although he's predicted top grades for maths and science, still, he's hit the peak of his ability and interests and will take arts/humanities A levels.

The one thing I would be apoplectic about would be compulsory PE GCSE (as I would about RE which is common in many schools). PE is really hard to get a good grade in and wouldn't suit most students. Extra sports lessons? Not a problem. Compulsory testing in it? No, thanks.

Three year GCSEs are not confined to low achieving schools - DD's excellent comp does them. The Royal Latin, a grammar school in Bucks, does them.

Lots of my DDs friends did extra GCSEs outside of school. If you're worried about Science then I suggest he take a course in the summer between year 11 and 12. That's all I can think of.

My daughter did double science IGCSE and is now doing Chemistry and Biology at A level. It depends on the double award sat, I suppose, how wide/in-depth the syllabus is, but it is fairly common at her school, even though triple science is offered at IGCSE too.

The universities might not be bothered but any students doing double award are likely to be less well prepared for A level science courses than students who have done the triple award. I would be very concerned if I were the OP.

I would be interested in the A level science outcomes for double v triple students at GCSE and in the difference in take-up of A level science courses between schools where everyone does double award v those with the triple option.

And remember his ideas may change totally between now and options.

He sounds similar to dd, even down to passing eleven plus and not getting a grammar place. She loved science, was sure she wanted to do science at uni, etc. In the end she chose to only do double science as by then had found so many subjects she preferred. Your ds hasn't done mfl, geography, history, etc it's possible even if he had the choice of triple he may not have gone for it.

If he's bright and motivated he can read round the subject more so that the transition to a level is easier.

Doing double shouldn't cause problems for a levels or uni. The unis are quite aware that not every school offers triple science so don't penalise kids for only having double, even for courses like medicine.

Bojo, lots of schools are starting a three year GCSE cycle now due to the changes being brought in, even outstanding schools. It's not necessarily a sign that the majority of pupils are low achievers.

I can't see having double instead of triple award science causing any problems for him at all. Does he want to go on to a science based subject at uni or is that your plan for him? He is still young. This is not me having a moan in case anybody think it is by the way!
I do think the PE being compulsory is odd however as another poster has said if it's a sports academy...

Would it be possible to top up with textbooks or a bit of tutoring and sit the science exams independently? It does seem crap that something like GCSE choices, which will have such a big effect on their next steps in education, is so dependent on where you happen to go to school rather than you abilities and interests.

I meant to add that some universities do give a weighting to GCSEs when considering applicants but it is not universal. It is not universal for schools to offer triple science either, so I would be surprised if he was in a worse position for university applications due to double science. The main expectation will be A levels at the required grade and a strong desire and aptitude to do the course he applies for. Good luck.

Are you on the waiting lists for other schools? If not put your name down and then if you get to the top of the list you have the option to move.

I wouldn't be happy with a school that doesn't offer triple science, not one with compulsory PE GCSE.