GCSE: two individual science subjects instead of combined science?!

[gcsepanicmum]

DS's school doesn't offer triple science so everyone was supposed to do combined science. It was a bit of shame as he was really strong at maths and science. But it was still OK as I knew triple science wasn't a necessity to study a science subject for A-level and at uni.

Today, I found out that the school was planning to drop combined science and instead encouraging the pupils to do chemistry and biology as a separate subject (no physics). DS knows it will narrow down his choices for A-level so feels a bit sad but says he would do chemistry for A-level anyway. It's true he really likes chemistry at the moment but he's as good at physics. He might change his preference then regret he let physics go so early. They still cover physics in lessons though, at least for now.

I am trying to understand the impact of this for his future. I see physics will be 100% out but what else I should know? Doing only two individual science subjects is going to be a disadvantage if he wants to pursue a science subject/career later? I am seriously thinking if we should move him before too late. He's very capable academically.

[titchy]

Our school offers single science (3 sciences in 1 qualification) for people only taking a few GCSEs

Sadly that doesn't exist anymore - Mr Gove did away with combined science single GCSE.

OP an utterly appalling stance to take. No one will be able to study physics A level without having done it as part of combined GCSE. I think also goes against the national curriculum, but I'm guessing this is an academy so it can theoretically teach whatever it wants.

[Ketopenguin]

For me, it has to be all three for GCSEs so either combined or triple. It makes so much more sense to do combined rather than just choosing 2 as it gives the kids an understanding of all the sciences, even if you had already decided to specialise in one, say biology, an understanding of physics and chemistry would still be helpful in your biology A levels.
In my dds case she wasn't planning to go on with science but she enjoyed her stem GCSEs (she also did computer science and engineering) so much she decided to carry on with physics halfway through the year.

[MrsAvocet]

That's terrible. Giving up physics so early closes a lot of doors. I would move schools rather than accept this.

[Revengeofthepangolins]

@gcsepanicmum

I understand the majority of schools offer at least combined science. Is there any school where they offer separate and let pupils take only two? If so why? I heard a single science is almost no point of doing. But how about two? For me, it has to be all three for GCSEs so either combined or triple.

Curiously, my boys’ independent schools, both highly selective, so allow boys to drop one is the three single sciences in year 11 under various circumstances. At the most academic of the two most boys have to drop a subject going into year 11 (all a bit odd) and a science is allowable, although I think only about 10-12 out of the 150 odd generally do.

But they have the choice of all 3. I can’t imagine a school not doing physics A level, let alone gcse. What about engineers, architects, mathematicians, natural scientists, etc? Truly odd

[CraftyGin]

This sounds crazy.

I occasionally allow a weak student to take a single science, but it is 50% more content. They would also have MH needs where they cannot entertain the mere thought of the broad curriculum.

2 single sciences is the same amount of time as Combined Science.

I imagine they are suggesting this because they can’t get a Physics specialist, but as others have pointed out, all Science teachers should be able to rise to the full breadth of GCSE.

I also agree with the PP who said that Physics is easier than Biology (equations vs literacy).

[CraftyGin]

@TicTacTwo

Back in my day 3 single sciences were offered and we were allowed to pick 2. (I did physics and chemistry)
Our school offers single science (3 sciences in 1 qualification) for people only taking a few GCSEs so they reach the 5 GCSEs needed for studying courses beyond GCSE level.
Based on what you say about your son's strengths I think that not studying gcse physics is a big problem.

What specification is this?

The reforms a few years ago did away with Core Science.

[ScrapThatThen]

Contact the school asap to insist on a physics route for your son.

[TheFallenMadonna]

If they haven't announced it yet, where is the info coming from?

[lanthanum]

Back in the 80s, my (v.academic) school only allowed us to do two science O-levels. However we could choose between physics and biology, and they also made sure that it didn't restrict A-level choices: we were told that you could do biology A-level without having done the O-level, so if in doubt do physics.

I think state schools are obliged to teach all three sciences at KS4, and I don't think they should be allowed to get away with not offering combined. I think academies can determine their own curriculum, but I still think Ofsted would have something to say.

[BlueMarigold]

My DD’s school offer all three sciences at GCSE but you can choose how many you do according to your interests. You have to do at least one and you can do all three if you want. I wouldn’t be happy if one of the sciences was missing completely.

[Acerred]

@titchy

Our school offers single science (3 sciences in 1 qualification) for people only taking a few GCSEs

Sadly that doesn't exist anymore - Mr Gove did away with combined science single GCSE.

OP an utterly appalling stance to take. No one will be able to study physics A level without having done it as part of combined GCSE. I think also goes against the national curriculum, but I'm guessing this is an academy so it can theoretically teach whatever it wants.

What do pupils not doing triple do now then ? I thought they did the combined science. Yet another gove mistake ?

[TeeBee]

Wow, how crap of the school not to offer physics. Both my DC are physics buffs but had no idea until they started studying it at GCSE. Has anyone petitioned the school to try and get them to change their mind. It's leaving a big gap in their offerings.

[preggersteach]

As a science teacher and previous head of science thsi seems nuts to me. All science teachers should be able to teach up to combined science for subjects that aren't their speciality and the extra content for the chem and biology is actually harder than the combined content so I'd be concerned they wouldn't do as well doing the 2 separate than the combined. I would definitely want to speak to someone senior at the school about this

[preggersteach]

And I would think would definitely limit options at ks5

[user1471530109]

Hi OP, who actually said this to your ds? I find it very hard to imagine a Head teacher has agreed to this. There doesn't seem to be any advantages for the school. Only thing I can think of, is their data suggests it's the weakest subject for their students in past years. But it seems a very drastic decision and one that would alienate many.
As a pp said, physics is often a student's best science. Some of my weakest students do better in physics because they can manipulate numbers better than language. With the increased maths on the paper, this has become even more noticeable. I appreciate that for some students it will be their weakest, but across a year group, that balances out.

If it hasn't been announced I would make a written 'enquiry' and make it very clear you've heard this and say how concerned you are. Also state that this puts you in a difficult position as other neighbouring schools are now offering a better education for your dd.

Good luck! Hopefully it's one rogue science teacher making musings or your ds has got the wrong end of the stick.

[RishiMcRichface]

What do pupils not doing triple do now then ? I thought they did the combined science. Yet another gove mistake ?
Combined Science is now available in most schools, covering all 3 subjects but it contains the workload of 2 GCSEs. At first it was called double science but this was confusing. The grade you get for it would be 2 grades, something like a 7-7 or 5-6.

[TW2013]

That is really poor of the school to have a blanket policy like that. Which year is your ds currently in? If he is really motivated would he consider studying it online and sitting it as an independent candidate? If there are a few of them could you get together as parents and at least petition the school to let them sit the exam there? For some dc this could have a substantial impact on career decisions.

[OnTheBenchOfDoom]

I would contact the school now and find out why they are changing from the combined.

[NotDonna]

I think you need to start looking at a different school for your DS. Meanwhile call your existing head and clarify what’s going on. Any ’erms’, ‘not sure’, ‘will make announcement soon’ means they’re pulling it, so get your ducks in a row before then.

[ErrolTheDragon]

If he is really motivated would he consider studying it online and sitting it as an independent candidate?

Is that feasible for any of the sciences - surely they still have a significant practical element?

[ErrolTheDragon]

I'm wondering if the Institute of Physics would want to know and maybe be able to help re schools not teaching physics at all at GCSE. It's a big deal, IMO. I'm sure there are general contact details on their website


www.iop.org

[gcsepanicmum]

Thank you for all the advice. The school is very small and lots of overseas pupils so they have a bit different setting from the majority of schools. I found out it's not the only school where physics is out from GCSEs. So it is allowed then. But what I can't understand is they do have a teacher who can teach GCSE physics (unless the teacher is leaving??). Also it sounds like doing two separate sciences isn't less work than combined science. Then it would be better to stick to combined science, wouldn't it? I can guess a few reasons for the change, but none of them doesn't appear to be strong enough to jump in to drop physics.

I cannot talk to the school yet as I am supposed to be unaware of this change until the announcement.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Small with a lot of overseas students sounds like a private school. If so, I wouldn't carry on paying for an incomplete basic curriculum. I'd have thought quite a lot of the overseas parents wouldn't be happy either, if they understand the implications on future uni and career paths.

[Sooverthemill]

@gcsepanicmum

Thank you for all the advice. The school is very small and lots of overseas pupils so they have a bit different setting from the majority of schools. I found out it's not the only school where physics is out from GCSEs. So it is allowed then. But what I can't understand is they do have a teacher who can teach GCSE physics (unless the teacher is leaving??). Also it sounds like doing two separate sciences isn't less work than combined science. Then it would be better to stick to combined science, wouldn't it? I can guess a few reasons for the change, but none of them doesn't appear to be strong enough to jump in to drop physics.

I cannot talk to the school yet as I am supposed to be unaware of this change until the announcement.

So how do you know? Are you 100% certain? Pupils don't always get it right which is why official announcements are made either by letter, emails or on website. Year 10 subject choices and timetabling is a nightmare, the school will be working on it. You could email head of year and say 'I've heard you are no longer offering combined science gcse and instead biology and chemistry. I am concerned that physics won't be offered, can you please let me know what science subjects will be offered for year 10?'

[TW2013]

@ErrolTheDragon

If he is really motivated would he consider studying it online and sitting it as an independent candidate?

Is that feasible for any of the sciences - surely they still have a significant practical element?

Yes, AQA and Edexcel both offer online only courses, there are I think still some practicals and their knowledge of them assessed in the exam. He might be disadvantaged slightly in terms of range of practicals at A level but not as much as he would be if he didn't study physics at all and later needed it. For more academic students GCSEs are just a stepping stone to A levels anyway. It would just be another option for OP to consider if he is otherwise happy in current school.