Can shool force my son to take double, not individual, sciences?

[jules62]

My son left private school, after major issues re; verbal abuse and bullying over 2years. Started a good school in june 2011, year 9. previous to this I met with governor and expressed what options chosen for g.c.s.e's and was told 'no problem that they could and would accommodate'. Sent a letter from school on 18th july, (I was away, did not read letter, before school broke up) to be told they have decided he is to do double science, not triple, as he did not do well in his exams. obviously the syllabus was different from what he had been following and he was trying to fit in, so he did not concentrate on his work as he should and his exams suffered. BUT we had already discussed and teachers were made aware. HE is very bright as he gained a full bursary for private school, so i feel that he should be able to do single sciences as he wanted. He is thinking 'great less work' but i feel he should be challenged, as now he is aware of the need to knuckle down. His school is saying also, that stress levels will be lower when doing single science. His day is now 8.00-3.30 inc travel, as opposed to 7.20-5.00, so he has more time to unwind etc and then do homework. So stress levels along with the bullying has already decreased. Also whilst in private school he was doing well in biology, 'flashes of pure brilliance' chemistry 'excellent' and improving in physics,. Therefore can the school refuse to let him take the individual sciences and force our hand? have a meeting on monday. any thoughts?

You might want to think about his 6th form options - every school is different, I know, but does he need individual science to do A levels in those subjects? At my DD's school, it s a requirement to have done indiv science to take an A level in the subject (but not so at the 6th form colleges)

Thats the problem we are facing. Can do Science at A level if you have done well in that particular paper at triple.

Double award is fine but high grades do require a good ability across the disciplines. If you are poor at, let's say, Physics (because when I was at school that was the one everyone 'hated')you might be better doing triple and nabbing great grades to take A levels on Biology and Chemistry and a less good grade at Physics. In double award the Physics would pull you down across the board.

Hello to all who joined in discussion. NEWS update! My DS sat and discussed with the headteacher on his own and was given option of either, possible triple science or double science and able to do the geography that he had to drop due to clashes with triple science. So as he wants to do graphic design/architecture, he decided that he will do double science and geography.