GCSE Triple Science...is this really how it is now??

[bethnella]

I had a progress meeting with dd's tutor yesterday, who happens to be head of science. He has explained that next year, Y9, they will start GCSE triple science by spending 1 year doing biology only and sitting the exam! Then in Y10 do Physics for a year, followed by an exam and then Chemistry in Y11!! Is this normal?? I find it hard to understand why? Surely A level biology will be far more difficult if you haven't studied it since Y9!!! Any input would be great! Should I post this in the staff room???

Herc
Why?
Bearing in mind that in DCs cohorts of 300 per year only 60 do triple science?

Yes, most students study a general science course based on all three sciences (although I disagree with you about core and additional and do not see why the majority of students would need a course that a university would recognise given that most will never study sciences at university).

Some study triple sciences.

But it is not possible, really, to do what Herc is suggesting and drop one or more of the science entirely by year 9.

Well, obviously I wasn't bearing in mind anything about your kids' school, since that's irrelevant. We are in a situation where all schools are under pressure to make as many children as possible study at least double science and, for the brighter ones, triple science, to GCSE level. At the same time as arts ed is being decimated. It's ridiculous. There is more to education than science. Kids should be encouraged to study what interests them and what they have a chance in doing well at. That may be science- triple science should be available to all who want it. But it may be arty subjects. And increasingly, these are NOT available to all who want them, and bright kids are often forced to study science instead of what they would prefer to study. And Gove is encouraging LEAs to cut funding for music education to zero.

As most schools are Academies, what LEAs do ceases to be relevant.

Music will be on the GCSE curriculum at almost all secondary schools.
the fact that dance and drama are being dropped at under 16 is by the by TBH - as those who are interested tend to do it outside school

music will not help solve global warming
science will

What a Gradgrindian attitude.

Talkin

I'm not sure I quite agree with you here. Although most secondaries may be academies, surely most primaries are still LEA controlled?

I have been really impressed by Hampshire Music Services 'Listen to Me' program. If that were cut, that would I think lead to a drop in music knowledge/interest at primary, leading to a drop at secondary. The IOW has recently announced plans to decimate its own high achieving music service.

Going back to the thread and science. I think some science should be compulsory, double science probably the norm. But doing triple in the way described by the OP is crazy imo.

I am very pleased to say that the school have reassured me that although the exact way that science will be taught next year is not set in stone, they will definitely be studying all three sciences together!
I think they have banded about different ideas, maybe including that one. I am very, very relieved!

Well done OP.

Phew! Keep a close eye on it and keep asking questions..

Phew indeed!