If your DC is doing triple science, are they working at the same level in all three subjects?

[LynetteScavo]

I'm sitting here undecided whether to email DSs teacher or not.

He's Y10, and the level he's working at in Chemistry and Biology is two grades higher than Physics. (His Physics is a grade lower than his final GCSE target, and his Chemistry and Biology and grade higher)

Physics has always been his strongest subject.

Would I PFB to email? If I email what do I say?

Dd is working at the same level as it happens, but I think she's fairly unusual. Most kids are slightly stronger in certain subjects. Why do you say physics is his strongest subject when current grades don't support that?

Well, maths and science are definitely his stronger subjects, rather than English and Languages. But he's always had an excellent understanding of physics particularly, which is why I don't understand why the lower grade.

Just asked DS1. He says he's best at Physics, then Chemistry and Biology last, but he's hoping for A* or As for all three. (The confidence if youth! ) Maths is his strongest subject, though so not too surprising. His English is much weaker.

Ah, read your post again. The grades seem to depend a lot on the last test taken. The physics test may have been a while ago and he may have done unusually poorly on the last end of topic test?

So do I email?

Just seems odd to be working at A in Biology and Chemistry, and C in Physics and English.

EllenJanesthickerknickers It's not the end of term test results...as the report was sent before exams were marked. He usually does much better in exams than class/homework.

I'm guessing he hasn't handed in some homework.

DD is working at same level for biology and physics, but better at chemistry.

I don't really understand the levels though

YWouldNBU to email if you have concerns. If only for your own peace of mind.

Lynette, so if he hadn't done any tests at all, they must just be basing it on class work/homework which is really hard to level. Does he have separate lessons and teachers for the 3 subjects? My DS did 3 weeks of Physics then 3 weeks of Biology, then 3 weeks of Chemistry in Y10.

It can happen. My ds came out with A star A and C in triple science, being weak in chemistry.

Has he fallen into the trap of thinking that because he's good at Physics, he doesn't need to revise as much for it?

My dd is the inverse of Chien's, working at the same level for biology and physics, with a lower level for chemistry.

IIWY I would email the teacher to ask. Just say that you are surprised to see his physics level of x in the report dated y and in the past physics has always been his strongest subject. Ask the teacher if they think the difference is down to the way they were assessed or if there may be something ds needs to do to improve.

DD (now yr12) was always strongest in Physics, weakest in Biology, possibly as slightly more writing and English Lang her weakest subject. But in yr10 modules (appreciate no longer modular) came out with higher mark in Biology than Chemistry (although both a) possibly because she put more work in the weakest.
In yr11 she was struggling with Chemistry slightly, seemed to put more work in there and the module results were much higher than Biology (a /b). Physics was consistent a throughout.
Overall she ended up with A*/A/A, which were her original predictions at the start of the course, although up and down a bit in half-termly reports.

Her maths at GCSE was slightly weaker than the sciences. She is taking Maths and Physics AS and is doing better in Maths, though not great in either.

It certainly sounds like your DS could be putting more work into the subjects he is weaker at, thus letting his Physics slip.
Or is it an especially difficult topic this term?

My son has the same aptitude for all three, but is at a 'lower level' in physics because of the way they are assessed.

Hopefully they'll do well in all three.

DD is year 11 - counting down to the exams in weeks.
She's predicted good grades and plans to carry on Chemistry and Biology so getting her to put effort into Physics is a PITA
but they seem pretty similar levels in her monitoring.

Well, DS has finally spoken (it's rare these days!) and told me his physics teachers name, so I can actually email (he has a different teacher for each science)....but has also told me his end of term test results for science were A, A and A for physics, so maybe I don't need to worry after all.

"It certainly sounds like your DS could be putting more work into the subjects he is weaker at, thus letting his Physics slip." circular - DS is so lazy he only does the bare minimum. Luckily what he is told ones tends to go in and stay in. coppertop He doesn't revise, it would infringe on his personal time!

I so don't want to be the parent blaming the teacher for the child under achieving, which is why I don't feel I can't email.

don't feel I can* email

Whilst it can (and does) happen in my experience (being in charge of all exams and results analysis in a large secondary school the vast majority of students end up with triple science grades that are, at most, 1 apart (eg. BBC; DEE; AAB).

If still concerned I'd talk to the school - there may be a reason that you don't know of (for example our timetable works that students get a bit more Biology & Chemistry teaching in Year 10 but then Physics get a bit more in Year 11 so it balances out).

DD, Y10 at a super selective grammar, is struggling in Chemistry, okayish at Physics and doing well in Biology. She is predicted A* at all subjects but doesn't even feel confident to get a B in Chemistry or Physics at this point. She has always been stronger in Maths, English, Languages and the Humanities than science. She missed a lot of school last year due to a serious illness and we think this has probably affected the sciences particularly badly.

Want to add that it is very unlikely that DD will continue with Science past GCSE.

I'm currently doing triple Science GCSE (don't ask...).

I e always been good at Physics - it always went that I was best at Chemistry, then Physics, and Biology last.

NOT SO with the current Physics curriculum - I'm working at a 'C' when I'm working at an 'A' in biology and an 'A*' in Chemistry.

The Physics modules involve a LOT about ethics and environmental impacts and cost benefit analysis!

It's a PITA because physics to me was always far more about remembering formulae and more traditional stuff.

Bloody Red Shift, to do with the Big Bang, too - we were told to expect maybe one small question on it in the mock, and it was two pages of questions and explanations you needed to remember, with very little information given.

The Physics is HARD this year!