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Original poster

Can DC sit a GCSE early by paying privately?

31 replies

EarlyStarter · 22/09/2024 15:35

Hi,

Looking for some advice or experiences of this. My DC (year 8) is hoping to enter a degree apprenticeship in engineering when he leaves school as an alternative to uni (no debt, earn as you learn, gain experience etc.).

Looking at the entry requirements many of them prefer a GCSE in Physics. His school does offer separate sciences GCSE but it takes away one of his options and he's keen to do IT/Computing and History as well as a Design Tech option.

Can I put him through the Physics GCSE myself and then he can choose combined science (2 GCSEs), freeing up another option? Obviously happy to pay and to do some home learning/tutor on top of what he learns at school.

He's a bright and motivated kid and knows what he wants to achieve. I'm just wondering if there are any obvious reasons why we shouldn't take this route?

I wouldn't enter him for the GCSE until year 10, giving him the chance of a resit in Year 11 if he didn't get an 8 or 9.

Any advice welcome. Thanks

OP posts:
swashbucklecheer · 22/09/2024 15:37

I'm not sure you can do GCSE physics with combined science as there will be an overlap in content. It may not be allowed as a combination by the exam boards

marcopront · 22/09/2024 15:38

Many universities are not keen on split sessions.

menopausalmare · 22/09/2024 15:39

I don't know how your school is set up or which exam board he does but separate sciences have a certain number of required practicals that he'll need to do to be able to answer the exam questions. Given that engineering is his goal, I would choose GCSE physics and he can read history at home as an out of school interest and forgo that GCSE.

TeenToTwenties · 22/09/2024 15:40

This sounds like a bad idea to me. The GCSE in physics will overlap the dual award science and will just look weird.

He wouldn't be able to resit in y11 as exams would clash with dual award science exams.

If you are talking degree apprenticeship surely ge would do A level physics first in which case the GCSE would be neither here nor there.

Just check he can do A level physics from dual award, shouldn't be an issue. If necessary get tutor for summer of y11 to cover the missed units compared with dual award.

Annnnnb · 22/09/2024 15:42

Because combined science includes modules from all three sciences there would be overlap which would not be acceptable. Also you say the school offers separate sciences and your son is choosing to not take up that option. Finally, these days taking all subjects at one time is preferred. I think you need to reconsider this.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 22/09/2024 15:43

There really is no need. Lots of schools offer combined and it will get him to alevel physics (which is really want they are looking for).

Do combined and DT.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 22/09/2024 15:44

Even if the exam board might theoretically allow him to sit the separate physics exam in Y10 and then do combined science in Y11, it might be a problem if he did want to resit the separate physics in Y11, as it would be in the same exam session as the physics paper for his combined science GCSE. You could ask the school. Presumably you'd be asking them to let him sit the separate physics exam in Y10 through school (alongside the Y11 cohort)? It's pretty early to be considering this. He may have completely changed his mind about what he wants to do by Y10!

TeenToTwenties · 22/09/2024 15:44

To summarise: if they 'prefer a GCSE in physics' they will be very happy with an A level in physics.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 22/09/2024 15:46

Find an employer that offers engineering apprenticeships and ask them what they value. Too often schools plug the courses they find easiest to deliver, as do colleges. Employers will tell you the courses they value and require of those that apply to their schemes, which will be the best indicator of choices to make now.

catndogslife · 22/09/2024 15:49

Can I put him through the Physics GCSE myself and then he can choose combined science (2 GCSEs), freeing up another option? Obviously happy to pay and to do some home learning/tutor on top of what he learns at school.

I don't think this is possible OP. Exam boards e.g. AQA, Edexcel do not allow pupils to take both GCSE Physics and Combined Science, it is a banned combination! The reason it is banned is due to the overlap in content.

Original poster
EarlyStarter · 22/09/2024 15:49

"If you are talking degree apprenticeship surely ge would do A level physics first in which case the GCSE would be neither here nor there.

Just check he can do A level physics from dual award, shouldn't be an issue. If necessary get tutor for summer of y11 to cover the missed units compared with dual award."

Yes this makes sense. Of course he will do A Level Physics.

The reason for not wanting to study the separate sciences at school was because he has no interest in Biology and Chemistry but yes, all we need to know is if he can progress to A Level Physics with combined science.

Thanks all, I knew there was something I was missing!

OP posts:
catndogslife · 22/09/2024 15:52

EarlyStarter · 22/09/2024 15:49

"If you are talking degree apprenticeship surely ge would do A level physics first in which case the GCSE would be neither here nor there.

Just check he can do A level physics from dual award, shouldn't be an issue. If necessary get tutor for summer of y11 to cover the missed units compared with dual award."

Yes this makes sense. Of course he will do A Level Physics.

The reason for not wanting to study the separate sciences at school was because he has no interest in Biology and Chemistry but yes, all we need to know is if he can progress to A Level Physics with combined science.

Thanks all, I knew there was something I was missing!

If you do separate Sciences though they are graded separately. If you take Combined Science, having lower marks for the other 2 subjects would pull the final grades down.

Original poster
EarlyStarter · 22/09/2024 15:55

Yes, he will still need to focus on getting good grades in the other 2, he does well in the other sciences, just doesn't enjoy them as much. I've looked at the entry requirements now for A level physics.

Preferred: GCSE Physics grade 7, or combined science grade 77 and Maths grade 7
Essential: GCSE Physics grade 6 or combined science grade 66 and Maths grade 6

OP posts:
mm81736 · 22/09/2024 15:57

I would be very careful about this.Firstly he won't be examined on the practical part by just sitting the exam.Secondly, the mark schemes for science subjects are very precise (to the point of almost being unfair) requiring specific wording to hit the marks.If you do not know the board well you ate putting your student at a disadvantage.
A GCSE sat in year8/9 will say 'advantaged kid with pushy parents' louder than ' smart child'

mitogoshigg · 22/09/2024 15:57

Combined science doesn't work like that, typically it's taken as a single, double or triple award, the physics will he included even if he's taken physics already so big overlap. I wouldn't worry about the separate physics at gcse, my dd did double buy physics at a level without issue

Spacecowboys · 22/09/2024 15:58

Theres no issue with doing A level sciences with gcse double award, but the general belief is that triple science makes the transition easier. What are his other A level choices or is it too early to say?

Original poster
EarlyStarter · 22/09/2024 16:01

"A GCSE sat in year8/9 will say 'advantaged kid with pushy parents' louder than ' smart child'"

🤣 Did you even read my OP?

Thanks everyone, too early to tell what he will want to do at A level other than Physics and Maths. He's focussed on the industry he wants to go into so will do whatever he needs to to achieve it, but will be pleased to find out he doesn't need to use up one of his choices on separate science.

OP posts:
Pinkissmart · 22/09/2024 16:08

Lots to unpack here:

  • He can do A level physics with combined GCSE science
  • Many companies offer apprenticeships , requirements vary
  • Requirements can change from year to year
  • He is in year 8, he could change his mind
  • It would be a far, far better use of his time to get hands on with some projects. Start building things, taking things apart, follow his curiosity
DrinkElephants · 22/09/2024 16:10

I wouldn’t do it. Sounds a bit overkill really. If he needs physics then he needs to not do the history gcse or drop another option.

Im also not convinced doing double science and not physics alone will honestly hold him back that much. Surely he can just do physics A level when he gets there.

Original poster
EarlyStarter · 22/09/2024 16:13

"He can do A level physics with combined GCSE science"

Yes. This is what I was missing when I started thinking about it.

The apprenticeship requirements do vary but not much. They all want high grades in maths, physics or both.

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 22/09/2024 16:14

Also, he's in y8. His interests might change.

Original poster
EarlyStarter · 22/09/2024 16:17

"Also, he's in y8. His interests might change."

Hmm, they might but I doubt it. It's a family trait to be obsessed with this industry.

If his interests change then having certain qualifications wouldn't be a problem but if they don't, not having them would.

He won't be needing to anyway now I've realised what I was missing 😊

OP posts:
Pinkissmart · 22/09/2024 16:18

EarlyStarter · 22/09/2024 16:13

"He can do A level physics with combined GCSE science"

Yes. This is what I was missing when I started thinking about it.

The apprenticeship requirements do vary but not much. They all want high grades in maths, physics or both.

Yes, but there are different levels of apprenticeships too. Lower levels tend to have lower entry requirements. However, he’s in y 8. He hasn’t even started his GCSE’s properly so may not even LIKE academic physics.

TouringTheTearooms · 22/09/2024 16:22

Thanks everyone, too early to tell what he will want to do at A level other than Physics and Maths

It's too early to tell what he'll want to do at A Level full stop.

At the moment you have the murmered thoughts of a what...12 year old? He could change his mind ten times over before he gets to the summer before Y12 and has to make his decision.

Original poster
EarlyStarter · 22/09/2024 16:27

"It's too early to tell what he'll want to do at A Level full stop.

At the moment you have the murmered thoughts of a what...12 year old? He could change his mind ten times over before he gets to the summer before Y12 and has to make his decision."

"Murmured thoughts?" More like being obsessed with the job he sees his family members doing and the benefits they get from it.

Haha, he might change his mind, and that doesn't matter.

Do you only do things for your kids if there's zero chance of them still being interested in it in adulthood? Weird take on things but ok.

OP posts: