Science practicals

[curlychocs]

My daughter is going to do her GCSEs online. She wants to do Science but this requires 16 mandatory practicals. Where could she do these? She is still on roll at school but wont attend there. They cannot bring the equipment out as not insured. Thank you

I think you have to apply to the colleges and pay the exam fee.

It you may be too late as these were signed for here a few weeks ago.

Most home educators sit International GCSE in science.
There are core practicals for these but they don't need to be physically done and signed off like the GCSE ones. They need to be learnt as there are questions in the Exams some are doable with basic equipment at home others you can watch videos for.

You need to discuss with the school (presumably that is your exam centre) they would be the ones responsible for signing to say she has done the GCSE practicals so any plan would need them to agree. It may be they would be willing to accommodate IGCSE instead though to get around them.

You may be too late for a place this year, could you book for next year? Is there anything she needs to resit?

I'm not sure you'll get an online course that will take you through a spec that has required practicals, as you will be unable to meet the requirements of the exam board. Will the school be entering her? It may be that they're happy to turn a blind eye to the required practical element - if not then I think you have little option but to ask them to consider preparing and entering her for the IGCSE. Good luck, OP.

It's not actually compulsory to do the practicals, but exam centre has to sign that she has had the opportunity to do them.

DD is in a similar position as she is doing GCSE Biology at home. I spoke to AQA who were happy for her to do the practicals at home and for the exam centre to satisfy itself that she had done them or had had the opportunity to do them.

So based on my conversation, all you need to do is discuss with the exam centre what their requirements are to sign off on this. You could ask the school for a copy of the work the students have to complete based on the practicals, eg. worksheets, reflections, evaluations etc. Then DD could find them on YouTube and complete these herself. The school as the exam centre may be happy with that as evidence that your DD has done them.

FWIW the insurance excuse is just that. It is possible for schools to bring out the equipment for 1:1 practicals. They just don't want to.