3 science's at GCSE - D of Ed guidance?

[dreamingofsun]

Hi

my son is about to choose his GCSE's and is keen to do 3 separate sciences, rather than the combined science course. However, the school only allows a limited number of children do this (I think this is because they don't have enough places or teachers).

Are there any regulations that i can quote them to encourage them to accept my son? I seem to remember reading somewhere that a school has to provide language GCSEs if a child wants them and was wondering if there's anything similar for science

[lelly88]

Another mum of dyslexic DS here he was streamed bottom set in yr 7 due to his English problems. Took easier maths exam in yr 7 but same science exam as all streams. Sets came into play in yr 8. Was moved to set 3 on the strength of his science result (unable to compare maths as the lower maths exam put him 176 in year).
To cut a long story short he is in Yr 9 top boy in his now set 1 class for maths and has chosen triple science option after excellent science exam results -still awaiting confirmation on acceptance.
English and RE subjects are the only ones which are a bit . He believed himself to be the dumbest in primary school, he is so not. Cats scored high for NV and Quant
were ignored, Ed Psych moved in and talked about disability discrimination concerning his low setting in English which encompassed humanities and languages in the same set. They moved him to set 3 but she wanted him in set 2, his results are highest of the set 3 kids he's desperate to get away from certain factions in that set so has worked his butt off so fingers crossed for him.
Any way check out the disability act code of practice for schools. It states that children with disabilities should be treated favourably.
Sorry if that's long winded as I'm still about most of his treatment at school.

[paranoidparent]

It's all about SPaG (spelling and grammar) Ofqual advised the Secretary of State to implement its recommendations. see link below

comment.ofqual.gov.uk/gcse-reform/introduction/background-to-the-changes/

4.50 When young people compete for jobs and enter the workplace, they will be expected to communicate precisely and effectively so we think that changes in the last decade to remove the separate assessment of spelling, punctuation and grammar from GCSE mark schemes were a mistake. We have asked Ofqual to advise on how mark schemes could take greater account of the importance of spelling, punctuation and grammar for examinations in all subjects.

(DfE White Paper 2010, The Importance of Teaching)

[paranoidparent]

My understanding is this: that the triple science pathway is vital if sciences are chosen for A level. Double award is fine if science is not going to be taken at A level. The report below states:
3.9.1 Most teachers felt that Triple Award was the best foundation for the study of A Level Science subjects because of its depth of coverage.

3.8.1 Most teachers said that the main disadvantage of Double Award was that it was not
the most appropriate foundation for the study of A Level Science subjects.

3.8.2 Because bridging courses were required for Double Award pupils, teachers said that
there was a lack of time to cover the syllabus, to consolidate learning and to revise.

3.8.7 The mathematical content in Double Award was said by some teachers to be
inadequate for those who progressed to the study of science at A Level.

The Transition from GCSE Science to GCE A Level Science: A Report by The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum,Examinations and Assessment (see link)

gtcni.openrepository.com/gtcni/bitstream/2428/6280/1/TransGCSEGCEsci.pdf

[LeeCoakley]

I can't believe there isn't enough time to cover the syllabus! If the syllabus has changed so much that double students haven't covered the basics for A-level then ALL students need to be given the CHOICE of taking the triple if they want to do science(s) post 16. Schools can't play God and destroy someone's career choices at 15! A few years ago the double was good enough for A-levels (Dd2 got a B in A-level Biology in 2010 having only taken the double) and I hope dd3's school are just as sensible. I hope it's not league tables that are behind all this.

[LeeCoakley]

I've never heard of 'bridging courses'

[TheFallenMadonna]

No bridging course required. Triple Science has breadth rather than depth.

[paranoidparent]

Bridging courses: This is the web definition:

"Course to enable you to achieve the required level of assumed knowledge needed for admission in a particular academic program"

Sounds a bit pompous, seems to be short courses run by many UK educational institutions, often during the holidays? Extra study to get you up to scratch would be my best guess.

[paranoidparent]

Just to go back to dreamingofsun's original post.
The "Science and innovation investment framework 2004-2014: next steps" report, see link below (and open the PDF). states:

"An entitlement from 2008 for all pupils achieving at least level 6 at Key Stage 3 to study three separate science GCSEs to increase progression to, and attainment at, A level science"

Yet, my D/S's school want a minimum of 6B at Science, Maths, and English to do triple science. Other UK schools seem to want different KS3 levels, some want Level 7 for science, others stipulate Level 5 for English, most don't mention English, it's a disparate mess!
Seems each school can choose its own entry level for triple science despite the above apparent "entitlement".

webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/bud_bud06_adscience.htm

[GrimmaTheNome]

4.50 When young people compete for jobs and enter the workplace, they will be expected to communicate precisely and effectively

My friend does - he writes the most stunning scientific algorithms. Yes, it makes life a lot easier if the English comes easily to you but it is not the be all and end all for a scientist. And as I pointed out - if this sort of child isn't allowed to do triple science, what will they have to do instead? Most other subjects require a greater balance of language skills, not less.