Can DC sit a GCSE early by paying privately?

[EarlyStarter]

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

Hi OP feels like you have learned something here which is good!

Yes he can take A level physics with combined science – so no need to do physics separately (and in fact what you suggest in your OP would probably be almost impossible for reasons relating to practical and clash with double science).

I would suggest tho that if he is so passionate about physics specifically, single sciences would be the best way to go. That way he can maximise his physics grade – and there is no danger of a poorer performance in biology or chem pulling it down. Also if he loves physics or science in general, why would he not want to take triple? It's more of each science so surely that's a win for a science fan.

If a student takes double then A level, they do risk having to do some catch-up work over the summer - esp if most of those in their A level class took triple.

I would also add that most sciencey type kids will take triple, whether it is an option or if the higher ability are chosen to take it. So he risks his double science class being a lot of DC who are less interested (they have to take double at least so a lot may not be very enthused). Just worth bearing in mind.

I would suggest dropping comp sci or history tbh. History adds a humanity which is a good thing so maybe lose CS. Would certainly suggest he picks triple and then considers.

"I would suggest tho that if he is so passionate about physics specifically, single sciences would be the best way to go. That way he can maximise his physics grade – and there is no danger of a poorer performance in biology or chem pulling it down. Also if he loves physics or science in general, why would he not want to take triple? It's more of each science so surely that's a win for a science fan."

I know, it's the history that is the stumbling block for him. That, and the fact he is just not interested in Biology. He can do it, he understands it, it bores him. Absolutely loves History and Computing though. He might just have to do History for fun in his spare time 🤣

I have definitely learned something. I knew I was missing some sticking point somewhere. Thank you to everyone who helped clear that up! He's got time to decide anyway.

Can he do history or computing gcse separately instead? Or at the same time as his A levels? It was long long ago, but my school offered a few gcse's to A level students at the same time. More things that weren't on the standard curriculum, like photography and politics, but potentially an option. With the speed that computing moves, is a gcse really worth it? By the time someone finishes writing the curriculum, new technology has already surpassed it.

Computing would be the best one to do in his spare time, and drop at school.

Having a gcse in computing is far less important to employers - and also far less interesting to a bright student - than actually learning to program and doing some interesting projects which he can talk about. Getting involved in an open source project would help him stand out.

If he’s serious about engineering he needs Physics A level and Maths A level. I often recommend Geography if dc into environmental engineering. Or technology or FM if he’s high achieving at maths.

It can be challenging to get a degree apprenticeship and most will put dc on a BEng. This is a lower level degree. Many DC will went MEng courses at the top unis and may well earn more fairly quickly as they will get fully qualified (CEng) more quickly. BEng people need an additional masters. I would check all of this before he finally decided what to do.

Tbh there’s not much point in doing combined science and Physics- it’s not 2 GCSEs of separate sciences but rather the content of all 3 minus a third from each if that makes sense.