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Original poster

My son doesn't want to do core science

30 replies

ctatnell · 27/09/2019 10:51

Hi I wondered if anyone could help or had any information. My son has just started year 10 GCSES and absolutely hates science. We are told he cannot drop it as it is a core subject but he is refusing to go to school when he has it which is 4 out of the 5 day week ! Has anyone been in this situation or is there anyway around this core subject. Maths and English are core subjects and you have to redo them at college if u fail at school. So if the government is saying science is so important how comes this isn't the case for the subject too. Surely going to school for all the other subjects is better than him not turning up at all. Any help much appreciated

OP posts:
AmIThough · 27/09/2019 12:10

@berlinbabylon double science is all 3 rolled into one GCSE - you can't get 1
GCSE in science unless you sit all 3 as separate GCSEs.

OP unfortunately there's no way around this. Although 4 days a week seems extreme for core science!
It's not the schools decision - he'll just have to get on with it.

Let him know if his attendance doesn't pick up he won't get into any college anyway.

LolaSmiles · 27/09/2019 12:07

It's a core subject and he is 3-4 weeks into GCSE.
Have you told him you asked if he can drop it and school have said no, because that's probably going to make the next steps more difficult

I think you need to unpick the issue without entertaining the idea of pushing the school to try and drop a core subject. It there are specific issues then have a chat with school, bit crucially don't go in with the view that his view is gospel.

In my experience students with parents who turn up wanting everything bending around what their child wants/doesn't want to do/study end up having a long battle full of manipulation. It doesn't help the student settle in school because once they have found how to get their way on one thing, another issue comes up (different subject / different teacher / doesn't want to do PE / doesn't want intervention / can't do homework etc).

SEND needs aside he needs to get on with it.

berlinbabylon · 27/09/2019 12:06

Yes he does have to do it. I don't agree it should be compulsory for double or triple - a single science should be enough but you do need it for a balanced curriculum.

Why does he hate it so much and all of it? I assume it's not all being taught by the same teacher?

TeenPlusTwenties · 27/09/2019 11:59

Science is important for understanding the modern world.
The biology bit especially is needed for understanding his own body, how vaccinations work, how washing powders work etc.

SN aside he needs to be persuaded/bribed to attend.

tbh even if he is going to skive off science by going to the referral unit / inclusion room etc he needs to be in for all the other lessons.

ps DD is y10 and has science every day.

Silentlysinking101 · 27/09/2019 10:54

Unfortunately it is a core subject and he cannot not do it.

Has he given any information about why he hates it? Is there an issue with the teacher or peer group issues?

Sometimes in life we have to do things we don't like, he needs to start turning up to his lessons and I am afraid I don't think you should be support g his decision not to or facilitating it.