Can anyone talk to me about Core Science GCSE as opposed to Triple Science please ?

[AnyFucker]

My DC just got refused Triple Science at yr 9 options and told that Core Science is adequate

I am not convinced this is a good thing. DC is quite "sciency" and likes medical type stuff although not chosen exactly what career yet. School attendance is excellent and grades are good so far.

I am not happy about this. Can anyone help me form an appeal ? All I seem to be aware of is that anything vaguely science or medical based in Higher Education would require something better than a combined science GCSE.

How sad to hear a teacher say, "my job is to get the best possible grades out of my pupils". What, at the expense of their wider development? maybe I'm in the minority but it's not what I'd want for my children.

This is years ago, but my school was the only one on the county that offered triple science GCSE. Irural area, if that amkes a difference? I did actually do triple science, but only the top set out of 12 sets did. I went to a top University, where many of my peers has taken Double Science GCSE. Perhaps things have changed. I think in your position I'd be asking to meet the teacher and understand the rationale for insisting that your dd take double science. perhaps if she knows what University / subject she is likely to want, or has an idea, she could contact admissions tutors to ask aboput requirements - also find out whether it would affect her taking science A-levels at the sixth form / school she is likely to go to?

Not just kudos. From the Russell Group website; "The odds of getting an A or B at A level Chemistry in the maintained sector are increased by 76% for pupils who take separate science GCSEs compared to those who take double science."
With regards to the IGCSE debate - many independent schools and grammar schools adopted them because they allowed for more teaching time (and presumably more knowledge) without being constrained by coursework, modules, resits etc. as everything was examined at the end of the 2 year course.

DH says thanks as he's found it and read the research/paper. This does cause problems for the school (and maybe others) as it won't allow additional timetable time for triple. So with the linear exams now and other changes coming in over the next few years, it's making studying the three sciences as separate exams more inaccessible. Thus disadvantaging the students in FE if that research is anything to go by.

However, whilst it's a valid point, I doubt that all the parents banging on the HoD's door begging for their DC to do triple are aware of these statistics and are in fact motivated by kudos.

Well, as I said we weren't querying DSs science group because of the science but because of the knock on effect on his maths. His maths teacher was one of the ones (along with his previous and his new triple science teacher (she'd taught him in Y8 also)) who actually made a fuss rather than simply querying.

I think some people need a reality check on the kudos issue. Doing triple science brings no kudos whatsoever in many spheres of life and for many people. DD1 is not doing any science A levels, I don't for one moment believe either that she lacks kudos because of this, or that she regains a little because she did triple at GCSE.

Hi I wondered if anyone could help or had any information. My son has just started year 10 GCSES and absolutely hates science. We are told he cannot drop it as it is a core subject but he is refusing to go to school when he has it which is 4 out of the 5 day week ! Has anyone been in this situation or is there anyway around this core subject. Maths and English are core subjects and you have to redo them at college if u fail at school. So if the government is saying science is so important how comes this isn't the case for the subject too. Surely going to school for all the other subjects is better than him not turning up at all. Any help much appreciated

@ctatnell you would be better starting your own thread, as most people won't realise you have posted at the end of a zombie thread.

You can try working with the school re your DC's school refusal, but I doubt they will let him drop science - and it would be the same if he decided he wanted to drop any other subject.

Thank you been trying to work out how to post new thread lol thought I had thanks again for letting me know 😀

My ds did double science and had no interest in triple - it wasn't an option at his school, it was taught within the normal timetable so you had to work hard at three sciences. The school didn't, as far as I know, differentiate between ability, just said that you could do it if you were prepared to work.

DS did say that there were a few people in his group who messed about and did wonder if that would have been the case if he'd done triple. He got 77 in the double which was solid and more than enough for someone not wanting to do science A levels.

Sorry should have looked at the date! I responded on the other thread regarding the boy who hates science.