Triple Science-Not sure what to think....

[Sparklingbrook]

DS1 has asked to be considered for TS. His exam score was high enough for him to be considered.

He doesn't know what direction he is going in for A levels or further.

At parents Evening the Science teacher said that unless he is going to do science at A level there isn't much point doing TS and stressed to us how much work there will be.

Those chosen to be considered if they want to do it now have to produce a piece of work to be assessed. I really don't know.

I can only tell you how it's worked for my two.

They get a homework in each subject, each week. So three. Not usually too long though.

Then at the end of each unit in each subject there is a test. This means that there is usually a test looming in one of the sciences at any given time.

I presume that to do it in two years the worklaod would be a bit heavier.

Mmm, Grimma part of my worry is DS1's work ethic. He excels in the subjects he enjoys I will say that. He has never raved about Science to my knowledge as he has History say.

Sorry the compulsories are Science, Maths, English Language, English Literature, RS, ICT.

Then again, the scenario could be :
Mum, I want to do science A levels but the teacher says I'll struggle because I didn't do the TS. Why did you put me off?

• from what you say that's unlikely though.

Yes Grimma that too. If a subject enthuses him he really puts his all in. I need a crystal ball don't I?

Ah. I had this issue and my mum felt the same as you Sparkling.

I did TS, albeit in 1998. Do I regret it? No. Was my mum right? Maybe.

I think that TS is essential if your ds wants to go down a scientific career route, if not it would be a nice academic string to his bow. I have been investigating a postgraduate medical degree and interestingly there is some attention paid to GCSES and TS is not required but I think not having it would put me below other candidates.

I say go for it. But it's so easy to sit in my living room and tell you that!

word that sounds like a lot to consider.

Has he said why he'd like to be considered for the TS?

Little back story-

DS1 changed schools for Year 9. He has gone from zero confidence to a different child. He is doing really really well and has realised his capabilities.

I think the fact he is being considered for TS is enough to make him want to go for it. Someone believes he is capable IYKWIM. He feels acknowledged.

I think the fact he is being considered for TS is enough to make him want to go for it. Someone believes he is capable IYKWIM. He feels acknowledged.

In that case I absolutely would encourage him to go for it! What message are you giving him if you tell him its too much work for him (but other kids can do it) ?

That's true Grimma. We have had a chat about it tonight and he wants to do the piece of work they have asked for so that's fine. It will be used to help the Science teachers decide so it's in their hands then.

Whatever scenario follows I will be supportive.

I disagree strongly with his teacher. If he doesn't know what to do and TS is an option for him he should go for it. If he does then choose a science A level the jump is smaller and even if he doesn't he'll have learnt some interesting things

I would want my child (if possible) to be in a class of pupils who had opted to do the path with harder work as they would mix with the more motivated pupils in the year. Your DS will spend more time with his science group than with any other group, so aim high and for the more ambitious peer group.

I'd say go for it.

(science teacher, can you tell by the name?)

I'm a science teacher and I disagree with englishteacher . A pupil can still do A level if they don't do separates so by taking a different option they are keeping their options wider open. Separate science groups should be pupils who want to be there, the drop out in the first few weeks of the separates GCSEs is quite high as kids realise they're only doing it because they feel they should (or more likely mum and dad thought they should!).

Interesting we've just had the opposite situation with ds (Year10) whose results slipped this year. Are you sure he has to make the decision now ? ds' school teach all the basics of DS in year 10 then the additional curriculum for TS in Year11 to those who want it (mainly those planning a Science a level or degree) and will cope well or consolidation for those opting for DS but, I think, in the same number of teaching hours. Their argument is better to have 2 good grades than 3 less good grades. However he is unlikely to take Science further and neither dh or I did more than one science so have no real enthusiasm to impart.

I really wish he knew what he wanted to do post GCSEs. But he's 13. Is it unusual that he doesn't?

No it's not unusual. My ds is end of Yr12, he hasn't a clue.
His cousin is end of Yr13, she hasn't a clue. Her sister is end of first year at university, she hasn't a clue.

My ds did triple science, but at their school, the top set (s?) did the triple in the same timetabled space as some others did the double. At my dd's school, it would take up one of her option blocks, so she's chosen not to do it, which is going to give them weird results in a way as she's FAR more academic, FAR more 'maths / sciency' than him, but will end up with fewer science GCSEs, but I think in the scheme of things, as long as they have a reasonable range, and good marks for Eng, and Maths, I sometimes think we (as parent) angst too much about these decisions.

There shouldn't be a problem in doing science A levels from dual, if he changes his mind later.

I did, although that was about a million years ago now, because my school wasn't the sort of place that offered triple.

I would agree with rightsaid and say that triple is less extra work than double + completely different GCSE. However if it's evening classes etc. it sounds like it's an extra rather than an option.

This is all very reassuring. I am aware DS1 doesn't want to burn any boats so to speak, and nothing is set in stone yet.

Sparkling, do you live in Birmingham with a name like that? Even if your DS wanted to do Science A-levels, currently it's only the grammar 6th forms that insist on TS to do Sci Alevels in Brum.

I teach both routes. It IS the equivalent work for a whole other GCSE. So, depending on which exam board, if you had 6 modules per GCSE, you would have another 6 modules to learn. Plus controlled assessment. And then of course the extra exams.
A lot of extra work.
However. As the years go on, it is becoming more the norm for schools to offer this route to more pupils. More pupils than ever are doing TS. Parental pressure is great. Tbh, I think most pupils would find I unnecessary. Not just because science is hard and a lot don't carry it on after GCSE, but also the amount of time to fit it in isn't there. A lot of schools don't give the pupils and teachers any extra time to complete this extra GCSE. Hence why so many school start in year 9 now. Or worse, do lessons outside of school hours.
Why not speak to the school again. He could start TS and if after 6 months he feels he can't keep up or feels it was the wrong choice, he can drop down. THIS is possible as the modules are the same for double and triple. At worse, he would have to repeat some stuff with his new group.

HTH

No not Birmingham. Were you thinking of Sparkbrook?

I am in Worcestershire so not a million miles away though. I hadn't thought of giving it a go and dropping down if necessary so that's possible if that was his decision. Difficult to know how it will pan about, we will know once we start I guess.

Another vote for doing the TS. My DD is at the end of year 12 and changed school for sixth form. She had done TS for GCSE as there was no choice. She has found the jump to AS level huge and others in her year who did the did the double science have found it even harder. However, she did sciences at AS. If your DS is unlikely to do them then that is different. I would say though, that plans change and it is possible that the GCSE topics in science really interest him and he may then have a change of heart.

As others say, you would have the option of changing to double from triple, but it is unlikely to be possible to change the other way around.

Thanks monikar. It is possible that he will really enjoy science for the next 2 years. I hope so.

Yes, it is very possible. DD found it a lot more interesting than KS3. Another thing that occurred to me, is that when DS starts doing GCSE work, he might be more enthused generally and this may rub off onto the sciences - DD seemed a lot more focussed and interested once she was working towards something that was going to count.

It is so difficult to know what to decide with regards to subjects and options. It's like a lot of parenting - you are running it in real time. It's not as though you can rewind and then do bits again.

DD was told at her school that they should be so pleased to be able to do TS as universities looked more favourably on those with separate sciences. I don't know how much truth there is in this though.

yes, because after giving up the subjects that aren't of interest it should allow him to focus better. I really do need that crystal ball.