Remind me how Science GCSE works again, please!

[Erebus]

Specifically,

-what constitutes single, double or triple; what the 'basic' science is called (aren't there 2? foundation and something else?) and how can it combined with 'a second science'; what do successful DC walk away with if they've taken 1,2 or 3? ie what's the qualification called? eg 'Grade 'b', Triple Science award'? 'Grade 'a' foundation science award'? Or 'grades a,b,b, in Physics, chemistry and biology'?

DS doing options right now!

Ta.

there is 'core science' which can be done alone to give a single science gcse or in combination with 'additional science' for two science gcses (there is also an 'applied science gcse' that can be added to core for an alternative double science couse, but isn't suitable if you want to take science further) and now with some boards there is the option to do 'further additional science' to get the three science gcses (sometimes called triple). An alternative route to the triple (that involves exactly the same exams, but combined together in different ways) is to do physics, chemistry and biology gcses. Any of these (physics chemistry or biology) can also be studies alone or in any pair combination, but schools don't usually allow this any more as the thinking is that children should study some of all the sciences.

should have added you get a separate grade for each gcse taken, so you could have an A in core science and a B in additional science for example. (This is different to how it used to be when the grades were averaged out and you got eg BB in 'double science').

All I know is it was a plot by the government to make everyone learn some Physics.

The result of which is a lot of con-fuddled parents and DCs frustrated by their efforts to explain it.

Personally I'm non the wiser as to why DD1 is doing double award not triple when she'd do equally well at either.

I do know I'm absolutely furious that the school didn't feel it necessary to make this decision during the options process when there was time to query it.

I gather our comp quietly slips the double/triple thing in towards 'the end' too. 90 DC from 280 take triple. I have everything crossed DS1 is in the top 1/3, which he ought to be!

And ours quietly changed from top 3 sets to top 2 without telling anyone

DD2 is dyslexic and the end of year 9 assessment was a horrible experiment right up not a proper test.

She's come top in every test this year, she does a sciencey hobby and gets better marks than the adults.

I hope she'll get As at combined, losing marks for spelling is tough. She just missed A* in the mocks.

She'll get As for A level easily although I can see her changing sixth form to get a decent crack at them.

DH and I are both scientists and she chatters away to us with real understanding.

Frustratingly non dyslexic DD2, who isn't in the least interested in science will sail through in the top set because she writes so well.