Double / Triple Science GCSE

[teacherwith2kids]

DS's (otherwise excellent, very high performing) state comprehensive school does not offer triple science GCSE - even the most able children do double science. This is not seen as a barrier to children within the school who wish to continue with Science, as obviously the AS / A-level teachers are used to it, and in fact the numbers taking Science A-levels are very high.

It's my one issue with the school, asnd as part of rasing it with the 'powers that be' [DS is currently in Year 7, so there may be a chance to influence things if I start campaigning now!) I am interested to know how common it is for non-selective state schools to offer triple science?

Ideally, I would love someone to come along and say 'ah, the data you need is in this data table here'. However, in the absence of that, oh beloved MNetters, would you be able to tell me:

• Type of school (I am not interested in grammar or private schools at the moment. I know that our local residual grammars DO offer triple science, but I know already that DS's school rejects that as a comparison, so I am looking for comparable schools to use in my argument - 'true' comps or secondary moderns)

• Age range (11-16 or 11-18)

• Whether or not they offer triple science as a 'normal' subject choice within the everyday timetable (the school cites lack of time in the timetable as the primary reason behind not offering triple science)

Many thanks in advance! As I say, it's my one grumble about the school, which is otherwise serrving my very able but quirky DS's needs brilliantly, so it's something of a 'luxury grumble'!

our massive comp does triple science for top sets in the same timetable space as the compulsory double science (but they did start some of the work in Y9). If not top set you can use an option to "upgrade" to triple, but need to be at a minimum standard (and presumably have your Y9 teachers agree).

Does mean the class needs to be able to rattle through the curriculum, and can make scheduling the coursework a bit tricky, but it's certainly doable.

sorry, we're an 11-18 comp with a science specialism, and a lot of specialist science teachers, which might skew your data anecdotes somewhat

DSs comp, which is a language specialist school, offers triple science for those who meet the minimum standard, if you want to do triple it takes up one of your 'option blocks'. DS is only in Y8 though so we don't have direct experience of making this choice. His best mate is in Y9 and has opted to do double science - he's a very very high achiever (top of the top set for everything) but didn't want to do triple (actually he didn't really want to do double either).

Sorry - it's an 11-16 comp. I'm not sure about the quality of the science teachers. The one DS has had this year is a huge BSG and trek fan though so she must be OK.

One child at 11-18 vast, 'outstanding' comp: offers but doesn't insist on triple, and will take 'double' students for science A-level.

One child at different, smaller, 'good' 11-16 comp: insists on triple for top set, done in the same time as double for the other sets.

So so far no comprehensives, especially no 'outstanding' ones with an intake very largely skewed to the top end of the ability spectrum, that don't offer triple science at least to some pupils? All excellent so far, thank you! The only thing is that the school is relatively small, and that may be a factor - though the nature of its intake would suggest a top set large enough to justify triple science being an option.

My issue is not what happens if DS chooses science A-levels, as then the 'double science' will be over-ridden by his A-levels. My question is about how it appears when an otherwise extremely able student appears only to have the science qualifications usually offered to 'non high flying' pupils, and how that may affect the perception of future employers / educational institutions.

I think it's unusual these days for a school with the full spectrum of abilities (and not skewed towards the lower end) to only offer double science teacher. It was much more common 5-10 years ago, but I can't think of any such schools locally that do this now.

June, that is also my perception (interesting that this is a school with an outstanding Ofsted obtained about 4-5 years ago, who make it plain that they do not expect any further inspections) and I feel it shows a slightly concerning lack of ambition.

It's possible the double option will swing back into favour again now we have all terminal exams though, as it's a straightforward way to spead the exam load across year 10 and 11 without falling foul of the new rules (core science in year 10, additional in year 11).

11-16 Church of England school offer triple science. Anyone can choose it but school only accept if they think they can cope and pass taking into account current progress. Started in year 9 then in normal lessons from year 10

11-18 comp in a non-grammar school area. Triple can be chosen as an option if DC have a good track record in science in KS3.

Double science also accepted for science A levels, but with a warning, that students will need to catch up in their own time.

GettingtooOld,

So those choosing triple science start the syllabus in normal science lessons in Year 9, and continue with the 'normal' amount of timetable time from Year 10?

Interesting. I know that they set for science from Year 8 - with the head of science telling me that there is usally a spread of only a sublevel or two over the top 2 sets - so that is a practical way forward that I could suggest to them. Shuffle those sets slightly so that there is at least 1 Triple Science set from year 9, and it doesn't add any stress on the timetable (though some additional teaching load on some teachers....hmmmm......).

Dd has just told me they get three lessons each in biology, chemistry and physics over two weeks in yr 10 and 11 and other options have four lessons over two weeks but they have started early.

DC are at an "inner city mixed comp" - full range of abilities.

They start their GCSE's in Y9. Well, some courses, like science are the GCSE syllabus, others a preparation, I think.

DD is on for triple science - all done in their science lessons. They seem to do a term of each science this year. I'm not sure what happens to the kidsthat don't do triple, but maybe it changes next year

State comp here. Triple science uses 1 option. I thought all state schools had to offer triple science for level 6 and over pupils?

Two comps that DD has been offered sixth form places at (both more academic and higher up the league tables than her current school) do NOT offer triple science GCSE. For A level requirements,neither made reference to separate science grades, so had to call up and check what was required to take Physics A level - as both only quoted required core & additional grades in their literature.
The more academic of the two could not seem to decide whether the required grade was needed in 1) Just Physics, 2) Physics plus one other or 3) all three. They then settled on 'any 2' which was quite bizarre.
We are out of area, but made me think that most of their external applicants would not have taken triple science.

DDs current school offer triple (separate sciences) but it costs an option. 7 lessons per week instead of the normal 5 for double award. Mainly offered to top sets, must be level 6a at end of KS3. Average comp.

Both the local schools here offer triple science. I have the prospectus for the less 'academic' of the two (GCSE results pretty much dead on the Welsh average), and it looks like 28 out of a cohort of just under 100 took triple science in 2012.

(well, 28 results are shown for each of Biology, Chem, Physics at GCSE - so I assume these 28 kids must be taking triple science!)

My DD's v v good (top 3 UK) private secondary ONLY offers double science GCSE. At least 10-15% of the girls go on to do medicine & another 40% do pure sci/engineering etc at uni. They feel it makes no odds & gives them the opportunity to keep things broader (i.e. add another GCSE) at 16. I interview for a Russell Grp uni for science & it makes no difference to us.

I thought all state schools had to offer triple science for level 6 and over pupils?

This was supposed to be the case, but many schools are not LEA anymore so do not have to follow NC rules. That includes all those that have converted to academies and in many areas there are few LEA schools left.

11-16 comp, non-grammar area.

Approx top quarter do triple science. It is run in the same amount of hours as the double science option, so they have to be able to keep up the pace.

Other 11-16 comp in town also offers triple, don't know how they timetable it though.

11-18 comprehensive, outstanding ofsted, over subscribed in area with no grammar schools. Last years GCSE results were 80% inc maths and English.(90% exc these)

Triple science is offered to all who reach level 6 at the end of year 9, but it takes up one of your options, and is fully timetabled as such.

Triple science is not required for A-Level sciences at the school.

We don't have Comps. We have High Schools (age 11-16). Rural region of market towns.

Haven't a clue. Officially haven't been told anything. This is never mentioned at open evenings, I find. From unofficial sources I think DS school probably offers both double & triple. DS only in y8, though. Starts GCSE programme in 12 months. DD school (10 miles away) probably offers both,too. But not been told anything official on that, either. I know if I asked, if they answered honestly, they'd all shrug & say that what will be offered depends on the whims of Powers on High.

NewFerry, results of DS's school are in line with or rather above that, and improving year on year (grammar schools do take the ablest few from each cohort) - but as I say, no triple science offered. Which is why I see the lack of ambition for such an able cohort as being a little puzzling

Op, I've had 2 DS go though the school, at the time ds1 took his options, the school didn't offer triple (1st year not offered), but he went on to take 2 science at A level.
2 years later they had gone back to offering triple! And DS2 took triple and also took 2 science in 6 th form.

Not sure re your comment on double only being offered to non high flying pupils. DD currently Y7 is unlikely (I think) to want to take triple science as she is more likely to specialise in the humanities so will not want to use an option on triple science. She's still bright though!

Also, I think there will be a lot of changes in the coming years with the abolition of modular exams, and possibly a return to taking less GCSEs. Reading another thread on here, it seems there are a number of Indy/grammar schools that only let pupils take 9 GCSEs anyway.