Remark of 'D' grade course work when child gained an A* and A in external exams in Biology

[ikky]

My daughter has done exceptionally well in her GCSEs - 9 As, 1 A and 1 B. She completed her controlled assessment in biology, but was never given her score. When we received her GCSE, we saw that she had gained a B in biology: D in the controlled assessment; A and A in the externally marked papers. The D in the controlled assessment bought her overall grade down to a B; she was three marks off an A grade.

Her school has a policy of only allowing pupils to only take A levels in subjects in which they have gained A grades. She wants to be a doctor, so needs to take biology for A levels.

We have already asked for her A grade paper to be remarked, but I don't think she will gain an increase in her marks, so our only hope is the controlled assessment, which I have been told can not be remarked.

What should we do? Make a formal complaint because she was not given her controlled assessment score, this would have given my daughter the opportunity to appeal against her score or even work even harder in her GCSE or request that she be allowed to take the subject for A levels in the school, using her externally marked exam results as proof that she has the ability to do well in this subject in A levels.

Please help. My daughter is really upset. One of the teachers who saw her crying, actually tried to reassure her by saying that she does not need biology to study medicine. This is clearly wrong. Any advise appreciated.

Not all medical schools do require biology. I'm a GP, there were 10-20 girls in my year who didn't have it. It would be ideal to do it, but all is not lost. Maybe check out the requirements of the med schools so you know how much your choice is restricted if she can't take it?

Oops 10-20 people who didn't have it, it wasn't purely a female thing!

A quick google would suggest that some medical degrees require Biology, some don't. It seems more common for Chemistry to be a pre-requisite, in fact - so perhaps a bit of research might help set your DD's mind at rest.

Surely someone who got A* and A in their biology exams - i.e the bit that tests knowledge and facts under a presurised and controlled situation is fit to do biology A level!!

I feel sure there should be a way round this. Either the school will have to allow her onto the A level course or you can try and get the courseowrk up to a C. I'd apply to have everything re-marked - can't hurt can it?

NHS careers says this, for example:

Undergraduate courses

The majority of medical schools require A levels in chemistry, whilst others will accept AS level in chemistry, depending upon the other qualifications being offered. Some require biology at A' level.

Chemistry is the required science rather than biology. I don't think science ISAs can be remarked as they are internally marked and only the whole cohort can be redone, not imdividual ones.

She can either continue where she is without biology - it shouldn't matter for medicine if she has chem and one other science.

Or she can appeal on the basis that her exams were A or A star, and a better indicator of a level performance- I don't think practical skills are assessed at a level.

Or she could go elsewhere.

The teacher would not have known the controlled assessment grade when it was done, these boundaries are released only after GCSE results. She would, however, had an idea that it probably was not A or A* standard given previous years boundaries. Alternatively, the whole cohort's marks for controlled assessment could have been down graded after controlled assessments were externally moderated (meaning the marking was not rigorous).

As for Biology not being required for medicine, actually it is not a requirement for all courses. Chemistry definitely required, Biology sometimes required, sometime preferred but not always a must.

I would appeal the school's decision on the basis that your daughter is clearly able given her other results and performance in Biology exam papers. I have allowed students to carry on to A level on a case by case basis who do not necessarily have the grades usually required.

I would appeal to the school and ask them to make an exception, but I would also concur that it is a common misconception that biology is required for medicine .

titchy is right: you can't ask for just your DD's CA to be re-marked, the whole cohort would have to be done. Other students may or may not be happy for this to happen...

Was the mark wrong or was it the grade boundaries that caught the school out?

I know my sons triple science friends were upset with the grade boundaries on their internal work (and it affected all the triple scientists). So, a remark would possibly make no difference?

What a horrible situation to be in. Surely the school would make an exception for her here? Have you tried asking for an appointment with the head of Biology?

Life would be easier if she had a Biology A level. Has she looked up a number of medical schools to see what requirements they list? Many moons ago I applied with Physical Science, Biology and Maths and it narrowed my options considerably. I had to contact lots of Medical Schools to see if they would accept those 3. I still ended up with 2 offers but I struggled with the Biochemistry as Physical Science didn't have much organic chemistry in it.

Also making my place. My ds's only B to spoil his run of A/A*s was his Biology. His CA was moderated down by 3 marks, and he missed his A by 2 so he wanted a remark of the CA. But it sounds as if that isn't possible then? He's not wanting to do the A level. Just being fussy.

I will be making an appointment to see the head of Biology. Should I go and see the headmaster first, or wait until I have spoken to the Head of Biology? I don't want to go 'crying' to the headmaster until I have spoken to the Head of Biology, but I just think he/ she will stick to the school's policy.

It's reassuring to know that not all medical schools require biology, but from my research, the ones in London, do. She wants to stay in London.

DS needed chemistry for Medicine, not Biology.

Thank you all for all your comments. I've shown the comments to my daughter, and she managed a smile and a quiet thank you.

If she is 3 marks off A I would have her external exam papers remarked.

Biology isn't essential but is very useful for medicine and since her exam scores were so high an appeal to the head of biology would be worth a try. With only 1 A though it'll be very tough to get into medical school. All the courses are massively oversubscribed and many candidates will have nearly all As. She's likely to need to do exceptionally well on the admissions tests (really exceptionally well, not just very well).

UCL seems to be the only one to stipulate both chemistry and biology at alevel. Kings state one has to be done at full a-level the other as AS. Imperial is chemistry or biology.

Honestly chemistry is by far and away the more important one. Besides London which other unis is she interested in?

But anyway I think a chat with head of biology may the best approach. I think they'd be churlish to refuse her on the basis of two marks with outstanding exams.

Are you sure that this is actually HER controlled assessment mark?

I write from experience! You need to speak to her actual teacher.

Most sixth forms (apart from academically selective schools) would consider a child with a grade B at GCSE more than capable of taking that subject at A level.
Would it be too late to transfer your child to another sixth form if the current school won't let her take the A level?
Is your dd the only one to have her coursework affected in this way?
IMHO exams are a better indication of a student's ability than controlled assessments for which marks are more dependent on the teacher/school.

St George's also accept just chem, though agree her bmat or ukcat will have to be stellar with just the one a star. Naming five London med schools may not necessarily be a good idea unless all use just bmat or just ukcat - candidates tend to go for one or the other not both.

Crazymum, my daughter attends a grammar school. She would like to stay in this school.

Quejica, I am also questioning whether the controlled assessment marks were hers.

Overthehandlebars, do she mean she needs A stars in her GCSE subjects or A levels? Because from my research, it seems that the grades required at As, but it would be better to aim for A stars.

Thank you all others for advise and comments. Very much appreciated.

I would also question if there has been a mix up as it just doesn't seem plausible that she would have got a D when you look at the other grades she has achieved in biology exams and all of her other subjects. I'd not be letting this lie. Needs further investigation or pushing for a remark of the coursework and I really think she should be allowed to do biology A level as clearly capable. Your poor dd!

My SIL who is helping in recruitment in one of sought after medical schools says that once they look at A levels and grades are identical for two candidates then they look at gcse's. That would be before calling for interview.
THere may be other medical schools where there's different process but as far as I understand in London competition is fierce.

I would look at student room threads grades ppl had who got offers this year and see what they say.
www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medicine_applicants_stalking_page_2014_entry

Ikky - ds goes to a grammar school and they ask for a minimum of B at GCSE to take a subject to A level, the exception being Maths in which they ask for an A. Surely they could bend the rules when she achieved A/A* in the written papers.

Definitely talk to the Head of Biology - or her Biology teacher - first. You want to get the department on side if you want them to bend the rules slightly.

I would also echo what Overthehandlebars said - my understanding was that you need a large number/full set of As at GCSE to be in with a chance for medicine. The daughter of a family friend got a full set of As at GCSE; A,A,A, A for A level (predicted 4 x A*); did lots of hospital volunteering and didn't get a single offer for medicine.

I must admit I'm very thankful that I went into medicine a few lots of years ago. It sounds so ridiculous now with teenagers being written off when they are barely 16. Is there any evidence that a fistful of A*s at GCSE makes you a better doctor??