DD didn't get GCSE options

[El24]

Just found out from DD that she didn't get her GCSE choices despite currently being in the top set for the chosen subject. She wants to be a doctor and having the triple science option is key to her future ? this has been confirmed by several F.E colleges. I also found out someone who isn't in the top set got in. To say we are deeply disappointed is an understatement. I've already called up the school and been fobbed off. Is there anything we can do?

Thanks in advance.

You need to arrange a face to face meeting with whoever makes the decision in the school, it's too easy to be fobbed off on the phone and find out how they make the decision and what needs to change for her to be able to do it. I'm not a great believer in making a fuss at school but it sounds like this is worth getting sorted. If you have the confirmation from the colleges in writing then bring it with you.

If it is that important, speak to school to find out who decides on the option choice intake and make an appointment to see them, and science if necessary. Find out what her level is and why she was not chosen.

However, the set you are in does not necessarily mean all those below are at a lower level. My son is dyslexic and in the bottom 'band' for English and, by virtue of that, can only be in the top set of the bottom band for Science. So, he is in set 4 (out of 6 for Science). However he is level 7 in Science (just 4a in English). So, sometimes, lower set children are equally as able - I don't recommend dissing them when you go into school!

Is it based on recent results rather than the set?

My son wants to do triple science and we were told it was down to the average mark acheived over the year as well as an easter exam which counts for 50%

or maybe it's down to your designer gear

i will definitely be making an appointment with the head of department because it's ludicrous. One of the prerequisites is that she has hit at least a level 6 and she's exceeded that. I'm pretty sure allocation is based on progress and level throughout the last three years so even based on that she should have been given her first choice. Her only flaw is she's gets into trouble for chatting, but that shouldn't determine whether or not she gets her options, esp as she has proved herself academically!

Unfortunately I was told about triple science option from the college during a career fair. I can prob easily get this in writing if I ask.

I have to say the school were desperately pushing the English Baccalaureate option, which my DD is now doing thanks to their choice not to give her the triple sciences.

So, I think what's happening g is that the school wants her to do eBac, for their league tables - and that's why she can't do triple science.

It's totally unacceptable for a prospective med student not to do triple science.

Make a meeting - by email, explaining everything you want to say in the email, then go and see them. With your DH if you think that might help.

It's good if your DD can do the eBac - but she needs to do it as well as triple science, not instead of.

I thought double science was ok for those who then go on to do science A levels & thence to medicine?

(it's what the sainted martianbishop always used to say)

A prospective medical student NEEDS triple science, especially separate Chemistry. If you do not get your choices then change to a school that will provide. Go and see them and talk it through, is your daughter honestly of the standard to get three As or 3A in the science subjects, as well as a bag load of As and A in her others. Then to get 3 or 4 A's or A* at A level, which she will need for med. school.

have a look at \link{http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medical_School_GCSE_Requirements\this table of med school requirements} - most of them are only looking for 2 science grades, & the minimum is B or C (though of course A*s are always the most desirable)

Ponders - at a recent sixth form open evening, I got the message that starting A level science from the double science option, was a distinct disadvantage.

And, for this particular sixth form, you'd have to achieve A grades at GSCE doing the double option and only B's doing the triple option.

They might not demand it but surely covering as much science as you can at GCSE makes the transition to the very hard A levels easier. Even marginally.

However, will she need the Bacc too? I don't know if that is going to be a request of the Unis too?

but if you only got Bs in the single science options, how likely would you be to get a med school offer anyway?

Because, I suppose, you're covering so much more ground that you're already a bit closer to the A level? For instance, the teacher was talking about mols (sp) and the kids on the double science option just didn't know what she meant. (Neither do I!)

This sixth form has extremely good results, so I guess they know what they're talking about.

It would be very unusual to get any medical school offers without straight A's or A* these days whatever it says on the table of medical school requirments.

I know some current 1st year med students who only did double science GCSE.

Maybe it's changed since they were in Y9 & Y11.

If she Aces core and additional science GCSE and chooses Chemistry and Biology A levels she will meet the requirements for almost all med schools (I think the careers fair person was wrong), but you could phone a few up and ask. There's not very much extra science in the separates that she'll miss and she could always read the chapters in the summer before A levels start (it won't take long, believe me) if she thinks she'll be disadvantaged otherwise.

The only time problems do arise is when schools insist children have done separate before accepting them on the A level course, which is rare - I've heard of it in just a few grammars and independents and cynically I think they do it to restrict the intake for those subjects to high ability children who generally (but not always) do triple.

OtOH if triple is what she wants to do and she's met the eligibility criteria then go and make a fuss. It sounds as if the school needs more transparency over their selection procedure.

HeathRobinson a mole is a number - like a dozen only much bigger. Not too difficult to pick up really. What children struggle with on mole calculations is lack of algebra skills - there's a lot of rearranging equations to be done and the key problem here is that children can get top grades in maths GCSE and still be rather poor at it. Ability in algebra is much more important than having done triple science for success at Chemistry A level imo.

HI OP. Both my DCs are taking triple science as I was advised that it makes the transition to 'A' level science easier - particularly chemistry. Our school stated that you had to achive a minimum of level 6 as well. Perhaps they haven't given her the chosen options due to a timetabling clash with something else she has picked? A meeting with school should hopefully clear things up but she may have to change 1 of her other options. IMO the ebacc is not important for medicine re: history or geography, but a language may be required by some unis. Don't forget the ebacc is a measure for schools and not an individual qualification. Good luck!

Thanks for that, glaurung. Interesting point about triple science - it is a grammar sixth form.

There probably is quite a strong correlation between children good at algebra and those who have done triple too.

Do fight for the triple if it's what she wants (she'll do better doing subjects she likes aside from anything else), but don't let her dismiss her medical aspirations if she can't do it either.

One big plus for double for this years year 9s is that with the new terminal rules the triple children will have to do all their exams at the end of year 11, but the double science ones can still do core in year 10 and additional in year 11 which spaces things out and gives an opportunity for an early exam to test the water so to speak. But if it's a grammar she may be doing some other subjects early too, so less of an advantage than if science is the only one.

I spoke with the HOD and he was extremely dismissive and to put it bluntly there's more chances of hell freezing over than her getting onto the course! I was informed that although she had achieved 7s in some, he doesn't feel it's enough. Even with a few 7s she's still at a higher grade than some who did make the grade.... sigh The funny thing is he said he was reluctant to take a child to do A Level into the sixth form because she didn't do the triple sciences!

This doesn't leave me with much faith as I fear it'll knock her chances studying at a higher level. The next hurdle is they still have still to sort out the sets for Maths (again in Level 7, top set) and those on the higher grade get to do Statistics. If they decide not to put her there, she's down yet another GCSE.

It's clear the school won't budge on this. has anyone had or heard of children doing additional GCSE options outside of school?

Apologies for the ramble, I'm just really upset by all of this.

Can you speak to HoY?

can you change schools ??