GCSE Science what are the options?

[insan1tyscartching]

Dd currently y9 won't be able to study the Biology part of the Science curriculum as has been confirmed by Ed Psych today.
The school are contacting the exam board to explore the ramifications for this and to explore what options are available to her.
Dd is reasonably able and expected to achieve levels 7 to 9 across the board. She won't be continuing with any Science subject in y12 so realistically the equivalent of a C pass would be enough. So supposing there is no option other than to sit the papers after the Biology questions have been covered up, would double science or the triple science be the best option?

She can do Chemistry and Physics as separate GCSEs. Students are required to study a broad and balanced curriculum, and it wouldn't count as EBacc Sciences, but if there is a medical reason, hopefully the school can accommodate.

Why no biology?

Why can't she do biology?

Because fundamentally she has a phobia of anything to to with biological processes. She has ASD and a statement so she has lots of input, every differentiation possible and nothing has worked. We are into the third year now of making every adjustment possible and she still hasn't managed to stay in a lesson, complete any work even on a one to one basis or put pen to paper or even read a text so the ed psych now has recommended we stop putting her through the trauma and concentrate on what she can do instead.

DS1 did separate GCSEs in Biology and Chemistry this summer (no Physics) so it is possible if the school is willing to be flexible.

She would have to attend the Physics and Chemistry lessons with the triple science students, then during the Biology lessons she would need to be prepared to work independently (e.g. in the library) as it might not be possible for her to do another subject in that timetable slot.

The papers Ds sat were separate subject ones so she could just do Physics and Chemistry.

She has 1 to 1 support so there are options available to the school at least. She also has two free but supported lessons that are used to support her learning by being taught 1 to 1 where she might need a different presentation or method to that taught in class so potentially have plenty of time available and SENCo is a science teacher so would oversee the curriculum hopefully. Glad to know that it can be done with school support, just need to make sure now that ed psych recommends exactly what is needed.

The new GCSE has changed a lot of stuff, but it is still perfectly possible to do just chemistry and physics. Physics is the only proper science anyway. In fact, I'm reasonably sure that only 2 count towards the EBacc so the school shouldn't have a problem with it. (They should do what us best for DD regardless, but some schools let targets and data get in the way of tailored education, even for children with SEN.)

Only two count towards the EBACC, but you have to do all three for any to count. However, for one student, I reckon they can pass up the EBacc.

Computer science is an ebac science - if she could take that she would get the ebac 3 sciences element.

Actually I have just checked, she would need to sit three and pass two for ebac - so if the school would enter her, whether she can pass or not isn't relevant if she gets the other two.

Don't you just love the way the government monitors things?

If she can I would go for 'triple science' but to sit out biology lessons. She could be entered and achieve Physics and Chemistry.
Double would be no good as it requires biology.

At DD's school things aren't timetabled as phys, chem and bio so she and the school would need to be flexible and organised so she would know which lessons to go to the library for (or whatever)

Ebacc shouldn't be a consideration. You and school should do what is best for your DD.

why would you do the triple science? just do physics and chem as other posters have said. seems pretty black and white.

I think it's more that it's timetabled as triple science rather than individual lessons. Ideally dd would have done double award because she really isn't into science and there are other issues regarding practical lessons in Chemistry and Physics that are worked round sometimes better than others. As well as it freeing up timetable space for other options and the support sessions she requires.
The school are contacting the examining board to see whether there is dispensation to sit the double award without biology and still give her the best chance of getting a pass now that ed psych has advised them. It might be quite difficult for her to get a pass when only able to sit two thirds of a paper so the reason why triple award was considered although that might have its own problems with regards to timetabling and the pace of the lessons.
At least now though the school can admit defeat wrt biology they really have done everything and more to make it work so I'm sure they will be as relieved as dd and I to know that they can just stop now.

I don't think it will be two thirds of a paper.
I have only read here about separate papers for each discipline.

So double science is normally P1,C1,B1+ISA and P2,C2,B2+ISA

'triple' is P1,P2,P3+ISA and C1,C2,C3+ISA and B1,B2,B3+ISA

I would be a bit amazed if she could get a 'core' or 'additional' science GCSE awarded on the basis of not doing the biology bits, given that it would be 1/3 of the syllabus. (But I have no knowledge so I am prepared to be amazed)

Does your school offer both 'acccelerated' triple science (same timetable time as double and 'normal paced' (takes an additional option)?

I think it's more that it's timetabled as triple science rather than individual lessons.
That depends on the school. At dds school it is timetabled as Physics, Chemistry and biology.
If she is Y9 now then she will be taking the new 9-1 GCSE where the ISA (practical work) doesn't count towards the final grade. The number of papers may be different for this new course as well.

I don't understand why they don't just enter her for P1, P2, P3 and a Physics ISA, and C1, C2, C3 and a Chemistry ISA? She may well have to teacher herself the P3 and C3 bits when the rest of the class does B1 and B2 but that's not insurmountable surely?

I don't think the double science award will be possible for her. You can't do it without a Biology component. She should attend Physics and Chemistry lessons with the triple science students and miss the Biology lessons, and then take GCSE exams in Physics and Chemistry. As I said above, this is doable as my son did the equivalent but did Chemistry and Biology only.

At DC school, the biology (as part of triple stream) isn't segregated in way that OP wants. The kids do a mix of sciences all the way until start yr11, and then finally they do more specialist focused lessons. So skipping out just biology... would need a specific time table from the teacher to know exactly which lessons to skip... this could change from week to week.

Plus.... there's cross over. Chemistry can have biology info.

Maybe could study independently for IGCSE chem & physics?

They key thing for you to do is talk to the head of science at her school and find out how they timetable the lessons.

It is definitely possible to do GCSE physics and chemistry without any biology. Whether the school would be happy for her to be off timetable for the biology lessons is probably the main issue.

Forgot to say, everyone is right-double award isn't the right way to go here. In my experience the local private schools are more flexible with science GCSE entries than the state schools, but you might be lucky given her extenuating circumstances and the fact you've got ed psych input.