GCSE Options.....feel sorry for DD

[Verbena37]

DD is in year 9 and we have their options evening tonight. We've already had the literature for each subject along with the form and DD is so anxious and stressed about it all now.

So their form says choose one from option A (geog, hist or triple science) and three from option B and a reserve. Bless her, she just doesn't know what she really wants to do with her life but if she chooses one path (relating to zoos), she would need A level biology and to take triple science. If she doesn't go down the zoo route, she won't need to take triple. But how on earth, aged 13, are they supposed to know.

We are telling her to try and keep it as broad as possible but it's very hard to choose which GCSE path to take unless you pretty much choose your career now!

That is really strange! It definitely isn't like that any more-your dd will need GCSE grades that are good enough to get on the course but there is no requirement for particular subject combinations as far as biology is concerned. I hope that's reassuring.

Yes, I realise that they don't do that anymore. However, if she goes down the animal science route, she really needs two sciences at A level it seems.....although one can be maths.

I see. Well, as previously stated, dual award science will be sufficient to take one or more science A Levels. I'd worry about the Biology combination later once you have an idea of her estimated GCSE performance. If she's determined to do Biology only then you may wish to consider an alternative sixth-form provider for her.

Bear in mind, however, that reputable universities will expect maths or another science at A Level for a science degree, so do check the admissions requirements nearer the time. Inevitably there is a module in year 1 of either stats or some comparable maths-for-scientists content, and A level maths is a distinct advantage.

Both triple science and double science study all 3 sciences to a level that allows individual science A levels to be studied at a later date.

Triple science studies to a higher level in each and obviously will give a leg up to A level but is not essential to follow a science career path. It is however a lot more work. The school timetable is crowded and both maths and english have changed syllabus content, this has given more to cover in the next 2 years. In the future this will be be covered in lower years., but our children have to bridge the gap. For triple science the student will have to be able to self study and manage a higher work load from the science and also manage the curriculum overload for English and Maths.

My Y9 daughter is reasonably bright but my advice to her is to take double science and catch up the slack if she decides to take science later as I don't want her maths and english to suffer. Which would be a danger for her and her brother who is science mad will probably do the same because his English is weaker and he will need to concentrate on that.

i did biology A level (& geography) but then couldn't do biology at uni as i didn't have chemistry.
The school is doing you a favour saying either do dual science or all 3 sciences. my combination was hopeless.

If there is any chance that someone wants to pursue a biology based career I would definitely recommend triple science. It will never be a waste and will only open up doors that would otherwise be closed. If interests change later on, humanities and arts subjects are generally much easier to study part time as an adult than sciences are.

You can still study A level biology with only Double Science GCSE but on looking round local sixth forms with dd they ask for AA for double Science but BBB at triple Science for A level study. It is very unusual to be able to study Science A levels with C grades.
By the way the alternative route into nursing is A level biology plus BTEC level 3 Health and Social Care diploma (which counts as 2 A level subjects on the timetable). You only need Chemistry as well if you want to read Medicine or Vet Science. Most Biology degrees also need A level Chemistry and Maths (to at least AS level).

Thanks cats life....I actually went on to do a geography degree, then changed career path after having my children and did A level biology distance learning in preparation for a midwifery degree......then sadly gave up midwifery

I did A level biology history English and psychology. Totally random mix! You can pick one science at A level but you have to check degree requirements carefully. GCSE really isn't that influential though. My school didn't offer triple sciences and many of my peers went on to study sciences at A level and degree level.

As your dd will be taking the new 9-1 grade Science GCSEs the sixth form entry offers will be slightly different but pleased it was helpful.
You may not need it as your dd is bright but there are vocational routes into animal Science at university (that I haven't seen mentioned on MN). These include level 3 apprenticeships in Vet nursing and BTEC level 3 courses in Animal Management. Am not sure if it's possible to take A level Biology as well though. If you live in a rural area these may be offered at agricultural colleges.
Hope that helps

Biology by itself will be no us if she wants to study it/animal sciences at degree level. She will need at least GCSE or quite possibly A level chemistry too.

If your dd is considering taking any Science subject at A level then the best option is usually to take Triple Science e.g. 3 separate sciences at GCSE. Please check the teaching time for Triple science as some schools don't allocate any extra teaching time i.e. teach it to the top set in the same time as everybody else does Double. This can effect results for some children unless they have extra help outside school or are highly self motivated.
It is desirable to take A level Chemistry for most Biology degrees but it not essential (despite what other posters are saying). I have taught A level Chemistry and have seen a lot of students who are taking it "because it goes well with Biology" drop out from class as they aren't really interested in the subject. I have also taught a "Chemistry for Biologists" type course at university level - the relevant parts of A level can be taught at uni for students who haven't done the A level so it can be done.

My DD did triple science for GCSE and then not a single science for A level as she preferred Languages and History and Politics. Doing triple science was what the top set did irrespective of A level choices or future career routes. She is now doing Law. The best advice is to check out the courses she may want to do and work back. If she no longer wants animal sciences later on, triple science never did anyone any harm! She will still have English, Geography and other subjects available. I cannot see the point of all the Media Studies and other non essential GCSEs. Who needs them? 10 GCSEs at top grades is always better than 12 GCSEs at B grades.

"I cannot see the point of all the Media Studies and other non essential GCSEs. Who needs them?"

Interest? Fun? A broad spread of subjects?

DD1 (maths geek) did Media Studies GCSE in Y9, and much to her amazement really enjoyed it (despite it not being maths ) - it gave her a practical insight into advertising lies and misleading statistics. It also reinforced the "give it a go, you might actually like it" message we'd been ramming down her throat since she was about 4, and meant she was more willing to try things she ended up loving. I don't get the sniffiness about Media Studies.

The OP's DD is already considering a broad spectrum of GCSE's, from what I read above! It is not bring sniffy to say that 10 adademic subjects is just fine and you do not need 11 or 12 by adding Media Studies and another similar subject if you are already doing English Language and English Literature. Even a Maths geek will be doing 9 other subjects! No doubt children enjoy it, but it does take teaching time away from other subjects, which, for some children, could be vital. Many schools are now concentrating on the core subjects and other choices which are all taken at the end of year 11. Schools are actively discouraged from early GCSE entries, especially for children who need to spend the time on core subjects to improve their grades. An early GCSE with a C grade isn't of use nor ornament, whatever the subject. Although no doubt the children above all got A*s.

I don't either. I think some people have picked up the facile "any subject with "studies" in the title isn't worth the paper it's written on" idea.

DS is doing media studies- it involves analysing, thinking, discussing and essay writing. And it's a lot of fun. What's not to like?

Frankly, once you've ticked off English and maths and for those that want to do A levels, the subjects they want to carry forward, it's grades rather than subjects that are important at GCSE level. Depending on what they want to do, some kids just need evidence that they've turned up for the exam and stayed til the end, some need Cs and some need As.

You don't need 10 academic subjects! You don't, I agree, need more than 10 GCSEs, but they don't need to be all academic.

I would question whether Media studies should be classed as non academic anyway.

Agree triple science is never a waste. DD is taking Biology, geography and economics at A level, no problem with any of the sixth forms she looked at, and considered a good combination for the degrees she is considering, so you do not have to take A level chemistry with Biology.

A level Geography is considered a science for a lot of degrees (not medicine!)

Suffolkgirl1 no you don't HAVE to take a level chemistry with biology (i didn't) but you will find you can't go down many science degree routes with just biology. you'll be sent down a bio-geography route at best. fine if you don't want to do science of course but not if you want to do a biological science at university.

DD is looking at enviromental science, sport science, marine biology and physiotherapy, none of which require chemistry. But the OP needs to look at the uni websites themselves to check exactly what the unis are asking for animal science NOW rather than historically. I also was pushed to take all sciences and maths at A level many years ago but things have changed now and biology as a single science A level is far more acceptable.

You do need to be super careful. The course requirements the universities issue are minumum requirements. You need to think about who you will be competing against, especially on popular courses.

Ds1 wants to be a vet. The universities we have spoken to are saying, chemistry, biology and maths or physics for Alevel. Triple science will give a better foundation than double from what we have been advised.