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Secondary education

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Original poster

Year 11 parents evening - feel gutted for dd

63 replies

briss · 30/01/2016 08:23

She's always wanted to do physio but science teachers said last night that she'd be lucky to get Bs in the three sciences and that physio was very hard to get into. Said she should start thinking of other ways to get into it rather than the 'traditionally academic' route.

Two years ago they said she should definitely do triple science and was one of their best students. Now they admitted she should have done double science and want to enter her for foundation papers for some of the units.

Dd has worked very hard - but the message we got from all teachers was that she worked very hard but didn't have the 'intellectual maturity' to get very good marks in exams.

She feels crushed and so do I a bit. I encouraged her to do triple science and pursue her physio dream and now I feel I've led her up the garden path.

It wasn't all gloomy - history was excellent and English and RE also good so maybe her strengths lie in humanities.

Just like some advice on how now to boost her confidence (which isn't great at the best of times).

I know the school were doing the right thing but I feel a bit sad that they hadn't seen this earlier. Also I think I've really banged on about how brilliant uni is and now I think if she's not uni material I need to stfu about how great it is!

OP posts:
TeenAndTween · 30/01/2016 15:33

From a quick google you can still get onto a degree course with a BTEC Science plus 2 a levels but the BTEC needs to be DDD.

If you were doing 2 A levels at most you would be doing a Diploma (2 A level equivalent) so the most you could get is D D

To get DDD you would need to be doing a '3 A level equivalent' Extended Diploma.

A '1 A level equivalent' is I think a subsidiary diploma.

It seems unfair that PE is counted as a valid option (my dd hates PE) but not dance.

PE GCSE has a lot of science (biology) content as well as practical performance over a number of sports. I may be incorrect, but I don't believe that Dance GCSE has any similar science content. I suspect this is the same for A level?

balletgirlmum · 30/01/2016 15:35

Dd won't be doing dance GCSE or a level but professional diplomas which involve knowledge of anatomy & physiology.

balletgirlmum · 30/01/2016 15:38

The diploma is a 3 year course at Level 6 (higher than A level which is Level 3). 2 a levels can be taken alongside it at the end of the second year. She's thinking maths & biology.

Or she could move schools & do 3 A levels & do the diploma at age 18

balletgirlmum · 30/01/2016 15:39

Hence why I was interested if the OP's dd knew the alternative routes into physio rather than the traditional academic ones.

Original poster
briss · 30/01/2016 15:55

If she takes double science she will drop a GCSE so will leave her with 8

What actual GCSEs do you get with double science? Science and Additional Science? As she needs a B in Biology to do Biology A level (which she is DETERMINED to do!)

OP posts:
balletgirlmum · 30/01/2016 15:58

I think its something like Science - Dual Award.

I emailed the head of science as ds's selective school to ask about the double/triple issue & he said they would have no problem accepting dd onto Biology or Chemistry A level as long as she got B at dual award science. In fact he said last year several A* a level scientists had only done dual at GCSE.

Original poster
briss · 30/01/2016 16:01

Thanks. I've just looked at the 6th form she may be going to and it says a B in additional science. So that might be an option. I don't want to limit any of her choices though.

Sorry - stupid question. Is double science easier than triple science or just less work??

OP posts:
Original poster
briss · 30/01/2016 16:02

she would have gcses in Art (already done with an A), history, english lit and lang, maths, science, additional science, french

so only 8

OP posts:
balletgirlmum · 30/01/2016 16:03

It's just less modules.

Maybe email head of biology at the 6th form & ask.

Some schools don't even offer triple snyway so there has to be some provision. (It will be the the first year dd's school has offered triple.

Original poster
briss · 30/01/2016 16:03

she is not keen on double science as apparently the class is annoying and disruptive (its a tiny girls private school only 12 in the class)

OP posts:
LIZS · 30/01/2016 16:07

It is less work but still all 3 subjects. The qualification is Science Double Award.

mamadoc · 30/01/2016 16:22

Would she be interested in occupational therapy instead? Is that any easier to get into? I haven't checked I'll admit but it seems to me a similar career with less science needed eg no need for anatomy.

This is just from working with physios and OTs on a hospital ward. Both disciplines are very much an important part of the MDT and help patients get back to/ achieve their best functioning.

PurpleDaisies · 30/01/2016 16:29

Sorry - stupid question. Is double science easier than triple science or just less work??

It's two thirds of the content of triple-instead of sitting all three modules in each subject they do two. The third modules are the most difficult ones.

mary21 · 30/01/2016 16:48

Hi
Physio is ridiculously competative to get into these days. A level biology is hard. As is physics. Its worth checking out whether unit's accept btec science or health and social I am sure they do and it might be more doable. Also look at other allied to medicine courses. Eg OT ,sports therapy definatly easier to get into than physio. ODP, etc

Marniasmum · 30/01/2016 18:58

If she is struggling to get a B at GCSE in a class of 12, I don't think taking science further is a good idea

Original poster
briss · 30/01/2016 21:06

I think plenty of people go on to do biology a level with a B at gcse!

OP posts:
TeenAndTween · 30/01/2016 21:23

briss There is a difference between a b which has just been scraped into, and a B which just missed an A. With the former I would be wary of doing the A level, but with the latter it would be OK.

I do think marnia does have a point. If she is in small classes (not sure what her current set is like) so getting focussed teaching, and if she is only borderline to get a B (not clear from your OP what her current grades are) then that could be a struggle.

But different schools have different standards, so it is unclear from info so far what papers the OP's DD is actually having difficulty with and what grades she is on for.

On the other hand, in my view she shouldn't do an A level in any subject she couldn't do higher tier at GCSE for.

superram · 30/01/2016 21:37

I would be wary of going down the btec health and social care route (and I teach it) as it seen by most (not completely wrongly) as second best to a levels. At our school you need a b at dual award science to do a level. I think 1to 1 tutoring is a good idea if you can afford it-more to boost her confidence than anything else.

Marniasmum · 31/01/2016 00:20

I think plenty of people go on to do biology a level with a B at gcse!

Well anybody can do an A level in Biology, but getting a good grade is a different matter!!
What grade would she need a A level to go on to a physio degree?
Also just a thought but is sports physio something she would be interested in? Friends DD is doing this at Preaston and it only requires 280 points

FeedMyFaceWithJaffaCakes · 31/01/2016 00:25

I did a BTEC H&S care and LOVED it.
Also found I had wayyyyyy more knowledge ahead of my peers when it came to do my degree GrinGrin

FeedMyFaceWithJaffaCakes · 31/01/2016 00:29

Ps. I did all three years, (have SEN - not diagnosed until 17) a BTEC first diploma which by the sounds of it your dd will not require and the BTEC national with is equivalent to 3 a-levels A-CSmile

Suffolkgirl1 · 31/01/2016 12:59

There are currently three common routes into physiotherapy:
3 year full time BSc Physiotherapy - the traditional route, generally requires A level biology but I have known other qualifications get in. This summer places were available via clearing with less strict criteria.
4 year Part time BSc Physiotherapy - academic qualifications can be less strict, some experience working as a physio assistant is usually beneficial. I have several staff on this course at Essex Uni, they tend to spend three days at college and 2 working.
2 year MSc in Physiotherapy - this course attracts applicants with a first degree in a science or sport related subject. So if she is unlikely to get grades good enough for the first option, then Btec sport science, followed by BSc Sport science is a common route. It does take longer and costs more though!
Avoid courses that are not pure physiotherapy such as sports therapist as these will not lead to HCPC registration which is required to work in the NHS / most reputable private practices.
The following is a list of the current approved courses in the UK:

www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/careers-development/career-physiotherapy/physiotherapy-degrees

JackandDiane · 31/01/2016 13:01

its a private school and you are PAYING them to fail your daughter?

Grikes · 31/01/2016 13:03

Short story my brother wanted to be a civil engineer. His academic grades were very low. He scraped a C in maths and that was it. He did a BTEC. Now he is qualified as a chartered civil engineer. He still hasn't past his O'level English. O btw he got a 2:1 at a RG University in civil engineering. He wasn't bright but he did persevere. So never let her give up. If she wants it hard enough. Work together to make it. It will bring you both closer than ever.

Buttercup27 · 31/01/2016 13:07

I went to uni and qualified as a teacher without going to college or getting any a levels. I did an nvq and cache diploma in child care and education. You don't have to get a levels to go to uni!