Double or Triple Science

[mamamedic]

DS who is in Year 11 has said he's now doing Double Science instead of Triple. Previous DCs have done Triple and I didn't even know this was an option.

No discussion with us from school which I think is unacceptable but I'll address that at some stage.

I'm told he will study 2/3 of each Science subject and come out with 2 GCSEs instead of 3. He'll now take 9 GCSEs.

He's happy about it as it means less work!

He was getting 4s or 5s in end of year 10 Phy/Chem/Bio exams so clearly not strong subjects for him. He's going to get extra time in his Nov mocks for the first time as he has just been found to have a processing issue affecting comprehension and understanding.

What are the pros and cons of Double Science?

Thank you for your help. X

Better grade in double is preferable to weaker grades in three. For someone predicted 4s/5s, it seems correct.

For a start it means that at end y11 he won't have so much science revision to do which will enable him to spend more time on the science he does, or on other subjects.

Furthermore his science set will be able to go at a slower pace, enabling better comprehension and understanding first time around.

If they aren't strong subjects for him, he wouldn't be doing them for A level, so no disadvantage at all.

I am not surprised they haven't discussed it with you.
It seems a no brainer to me.

It’s much better to have two higher grades than three lower grades. Double science is a sensible choice.

Forgot to say, you can still do science a levels without double award.

I’m 41 and our school offered dual award science so 2 GCSEs in Biology/Chemistry/ Physics or 3 separate. If you were looking at Science A levels you were encouraged to do 3 separate, otherwise dual award.
Doesn’t sound like it’s changed much.

No discussion with us from school which I think is unacceptable but I'll address that at some stage.

Do schools normally discuss subject choices with parents? It's certainly not something that happens here. DC brings home forms and returns to school with choices made!

Thank you all. Very helpful. Agree it's the right decision all things considered.

Only drawback is getting the points he needs to get into 6th form. Grade 5 x 3 should be attainable but would need an 8 and a 7 to match it.

Maybe I'm expecting too much. I would have thought if school was reducing his GCSEs, it something we might have liked to think about.

Thanks again

Most sixth forms look at average point scores (e.g. total points from best eight subjects). If he gets 6,6 in combined science, he will have a higher average point score than if he gets 5,5,5 in triple science.

For someone getting 4s and 5s in science at the end of Y10, I think combined science is the right choice.

What system did the school have for who was doing 'triple' in y10?

e.g.
a) Everyone starts on triple, at the end y10 those not doing well are moved to double
b) Top sets start on triple but within same time as sets doing double. At end y10 those doing triple but not doing so well moved to double
c) Triple is an elective taking up an option choice. So moving from triple to double means a missing option.
d) Something else

I think (c) would have to be discussed but not (a) or (b)

He is definitely better off doing double. Less workload and should get a better result. I had one DD who did triple and one who did double which was completely right for them. 9 GCSEs is fine. He doesn’t appear to be a great scientist so hopefully he will do well with the other subjects and go back into the 6th form. He now has less pressure, so that’s good too.

Double/Triple science is not like choosing what subject choices you prefer its more like whether or not the school enters you for foundation or higher. Its in the everyone's best interests to put pupils in for the right level of exams.

From what little I know if your not going to do well in triple, you wont just do a little bit worse. Its more likely you will do a lot worse. The pace of studying is faster, its harder material, and the course wont be finished until just before the exams so hardly any time for revision.

The school is right to only let pupils do it if they are capable of coping.

With year 10 DD I was discussing this with a friend who is head of science at large trilogy of schools in London. Her advice was only do triple science if you are very high achieving in all three sciences and really want to do it. If you are not set to pursue a science career. At the very highest level double science is more than adequate.
In her opinion the third physics paper for triple science for one board this summer was harder than the A-level paper covering the same topics.

Thank you everyone. So much experience on here. I'm very satisfied he (and the school) are doing the right thing. X