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Original poster

So cross WWYD?

94 replies

bijou3 · 25/06/2012 18:31

DS has just been told by the school that he can?t do triple science despite coming top in all the midyear exams for all the sciences. He is taking geography and history and the school used this as a reason why they think the double will be better for him, I don?t think this is a valid reason. DS has always scored highly in all exams and is a very able child I don?t think that by doing an extra science would affect his grades for other subjects.
If he was in a state school he would most certainly be doing the triple so why as a fee paying parent don?t I have the option WWYD?

OP posts:

Sarcalogos · 01/07/2012 09:17

Because when people pay if something is not perfect they get incredibly angry.

The OP isnt telling you about the small classes, beautiful grounds, spectacular extra-curric options, excellent teaching and outstanding pastoral care that her DC has already benefitted from. She's just ranting about this one issue and it makes the school sound terrible.

exoticfruits · 01/07/2012 20:18

If it is important then I would vote with my feet-save money and find a state school that would allow it. If not willing to do this then you have to go with the school.

Sarcalogos · 01/07/2012 21:16

If she goes now she will have to pay till Christmas. And I imagine if the state schools really were better she would be using them already. It's very late in the year to get a place at a decent state school and you'd probably need to be in catchment.

exoticfruits · 01/07/2012 21:18

Then she will have to put up with it. It just seems wrong to me that you pay for something you don't want.

Sarcalogos · 02/07/2012 16:41

I know what you mean, but surely, in life, most things are a compromise? Schools are complicated places with many facets. They do, on the whole, cater for more or less any subject combination though, this is usual practice, so I'm surprised the OP is having this particular problem.

Abra1d · 02/07/2012 16:54

My son goes to a highly academically selective school. He is doing double science because he actually hates it.

His double science AQA IGCSE science has separate papers in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. 'Dual award is about the same level of difficulty as separate sciences, but less science is covered,' the prospectus says.

I can see that if you love science it's a shame not to do triple science, though.

Sarcalogos · 02/07/2012 17:23

Abra, I agree, I think the OP and some posters have overstated the 'problem' somewhat.

outtolunchagain · 03/07/2012 16:48

abra same here ,my ds did dual award in order to accommodate an extra arts subject .He got two A stars for science but really didn't enjoy it

LittenTree · 03/07/2012 21:57

Small point- but: has it occurred to anyone, OP included that the 'amazing state school just down the road' may not actually have a place for her DS? This, can I say almost 'god given assumption' that he'll be welcomed in? And will DS be of the correct mindset for a state school where he'll be far more left to 'get on with it'? Maybe he is, but if he's not, the Great State Move, mid-teens, could be a disaster.

The same applies to other private schools: will they really want the untested mettle of another school, especially in the knowledge of why he was pulled? Will they too have room? Will the ethos of another local, convenient private chime perfectly enough with all the stuff the OP selected this school for?

The OP needs to try and sort this out at the school he's at. There's an awfully big fire to fall into out of this little frying pan if you over-call it!

gelatinous · 03/07/2012 23:18

Sarcalogos, the OPs main problem is that the sixth form her ds wants to attend has triple science as a requirement to study A level sciences. For this reason I don't think she is 'overstating the problem somewhat'.

Sarcalogos · 04/07/2012 12:50

Gelatinous, in my experience the OP is probably mistaken on this point.

gelatinous · 04/07/2012 13:54

Maybe, but there are a few schools (mostly independent or grammar) that are starting to make this stipulation.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 05/07/2012 13:54

The 6th form are in the wrong here, they're the ones to take this up with imo. Or look for another one.

Sarca knows what she's talking about (based on conversations I've had with a science teacher friend).

tiggytape · 05/07/2012 15:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

paranoidparent · 07/07/2012 19:21

Transferred this from another thread I posted to; I hope it helps

My understanding is this: that the triple science pathway is vital if sciences are chosen for A level. Double award is fine if science is not going to be taken at A level.

The report below states:
3.9.1 Most teachers felt that Triple Award was the best foundation for the study of A Level Science subjects because of its depth of coverage.

3.8.1 Most teachers said that the main disadvantage of Double Award was that it was not
the most appropriate foundation for the study of A Level Science subjects.

3.8.2 Because bridging courses were required for Double Award pupils, teachers said that
there was a lack of time to cover the syllabus, to consolidate learning and to revise.

3.8.7 The mathematical content in Double Award was said by some teachers to be
inadequate for those who progressed to the study of science at A Level.

The Transition from GCSE Science to GCE A Level Science: A Report by The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum,Examinations and Assessment (see link)

gtcni.openrepository.com/gtcni/bitstream/2428/6280/1/TransGCSEGCEsci.pdf

whoatethelastbiscuit · 07/07/2012 19:53

Double science is not so bad - our DD2, who attended the most academic (also private) school in this county was told she couldn't do triple science despite being one of top girls in her year for science, we were not happy but she was so settled in the school and there really was no where else locally that would suit her so she did the double. She went to a boys school sixth form (for her own reasons ), did Chemistry and Biology A level (plus couple of others), went to a russell group Uni did a Biology Degree and is now keystage 4 co-ordinator of science at a school in London. Her friend did double science at GCSE as well and is now studying medicine

sayithowitis · 08/07/2012 23:50

Things may have changed in the last four years or so, but, DC1 took double science at GCSE. At that time, NO state schools in this area offered triple as an option. Achieved a good pass and went on to take A levels in Chemistry and Physics as well as Maths and something else with a maths element ( it was a 'make up the numbers choice, since first choice was unavailable). Achieved good passes in all and is currently about to enter final year of a physics degree.

Just wanted to show that whilst triple science may be desirable for a science degree, it is certainly not always a requirement.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Karoleann · 09/07/2012 18:23

I did double science (at the time it was called dual) came in top 5% for the county. It did not prepare me properly for A levels.
I would drop one of the other subjects and take triple science

lemonpie7 · 20/07/2012 17:58

I teach A level science, and no, you don't need triple science to do A level. You do normally need BB in core and additional.

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