How do science GCSEs work?

[Takver]

Sorry, daft question, but since I date from the time when you took O level or CSE in individual sciences, I'm a little confused.

Looking at secondary school options, if I understand correctly, in the school we're looking at you can either take
three GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry & Physics,
or two GCSEs in Core + Additional science,
or alternatively BTEC applied science

Is this the norm? I get the impression that a large proportion of pupils are expected to take the first route & study all three.

I don't think this is necessarily a problem - they seem to be quite a science / IT focused school in general, but wondered what happened to kids who were more humanities focused. I know they now only offer French as a MFL having recently dropped Spanish.

Schools must offer a minimum of single science (the core compulsory component) but are targeted on getting students 2 sciences (core + additional).

_3 Sciences
Biology, chemistry, physics as 3 separate grades
_2 Sciences ("double award")
Core science + additional science
Core science + applied science (does not lead onto A-levels in traditional sciences)
_Single science
Core science
_'Equivalent' qualifications
BTEC applied science (2 x GCSE equivalent, graded pass, merit, distinction)
OCR nationals science (2 x GCSE equivalent, graded pass, merit, distinction)
These don't lead onto traditional science A-levels.

There has been a big push on triple science lately and students who achieve L6 at the end of KS3 are entitled to take triple science. In reality this may not be possible because of timetabling but the guidelines say this. Most students do double award these days.

So core science + additional science might then lead on to A levels? But not core + applied. (I don't think they even mentioned applied as an option, come to that.)

Anyway, it sounds like they are basically just following the target then if they're expecting everyone to at the least study core + additional or the BTEC.

Many thanks, btw! I'm sure school was much simpler when I was little :) (sure its better now, but just rather complicated . . . )

If they are doing the AQA exams. Then the exams for core are called B1, C1, and P1, and are exactly the same as the first exams for single science. If that is as far as someone gets/has ability for they get a core GCSE. For Additional Science the exams are B2, C2 and P2. These are also the second exams for the three separate sciences. If they do separate sciences they they also do B3, C3 and P3.
Core and Additional is the minimium requirement for A'level, however the three separate sciences is advised for A'level (as there is less of a "gap" between triple and A/S).
If someone does BTEC or Applied, it doesn't lead on well to A'levels in separate science, but it can lead on to A'level Applied Science. This can be a good qualification for someone going for more of a technician level science career or who enjoys some science but is more inclined to the humanities.

It depends on the school - anyone reaching L6 in Y9 should be offered the option to take the triple (individual sciences) - anyone below that level should take the double (core and additional or additional applied)the bottom sets will probably take BTECs

The triple usually counts as one of your options.

Is that the level thats needed - L6? My dd is in year 8 and got 7a in year 7. Is that right or am i looking at something wrong?

It sounds like there is much more expectation in general now that people will study three sciences if they have the ability to do so?

Takver, I think it depends on the school - at my DD's school, which is selective, the expectation is that you will do triple unless you would find it a struggle or unless you have decided at 14 that you are definitely not continuing with science past GCSE. So my DD, who is very into languages, did lots of language and humanity options rather than "wasting" a choice on triple science, and just did double. I know some schools make triple compulsory, but that seems a pity to me for those like DD who know early on that science is not for them. I know of other schools where triple isn't even a option, which seems like an even bigger pity.

My son's has just started his GCSE science courses at the beginning of Y9. The three top sets (out of 10 sets) are doing triple.

You don't lose an option choice for triple in his school, you are just expected to work harder!

My DD is yr11 and doing triple science. At her school it is compulsory and not one of her options.

Level 7 in Year 7 would be amazing, I've never met a kid in Y7 who is working at that level (bearing in mind that they will be assessed across 32 ish topics at the end of KS3. But then I've always taught in a comp so maybe that's why.......

kritur, just got dd's science book out to check her last assessment result from friday and she got 7a again. The paper says level 5 to 7. Just to add she is on gifted and talented and is getting high levels in all subjects except for p.e. Maths and languages are favourites and has already an A* gcse maths and is getting 7a or 8c for other subjects. She has had her predicted grades at A for gcse but i suppose we will have to wait and see as she is only year 8.

Well it does sound like she is gifted then.