Would you go for Triple Science or Double in this situation?

kpp11 · 2021-02-13T21:48:37+00:00

Ds is very good at science and will most probably study it at a level (he will definitely not study all 3 at a level, just one or two). My question is should he go for Triple Science because that will probably give him an advantage at a level or should he go for double science and another subject which will most likely give him an 8/9?

Comefromaway · 13/02/2021 21:51

He should go for whichever he thinks he’ll enjoy the most/get the best grade in.

Precipice · 13/02/2021 21:55

Definitely the Triple (so GCSEs in Chemistry, Physics, Biology), otherwise he'll cover much less material and struggle. I'm surprised this is even a question, if he's good. At my school, only the dim kids did double science (though there wouldn't have been any extra subject choice, just 2/3 of the subject matter).

GCSE level of those subjects isn't particularly advanced, but knowledge which everybody should have.

Comefromaway · 13/02/2021 21:57

@Precipice

Definitely the Triple (so GCSEs in Chemistry, Physics, Biology), otherwise he'll cover much less material and struggle. I'm surprised this is even a question, if he's good. At my school, only the dim kids did double science (though there wouldn't have been any extra subject choice, just 2/3 of the subject matter).

GCSE level of those subjects isn't particularly advanced, but knowledge which everybody should have.

Many schools have triple science as an option choice, especially since the reformed GCSES.

IVE known some incredibly clever children take double science because they wanted to take a creative or arts or essay subject instead.

ThenCatoJumpedOut · 13/02/2021 21:58

Triple

Unless he’s predicted less than a 7 I think? Check with the 6th form what the requirements are. At ours it was: 7 or above

Comefromaway · 13/02/2021 21:59

What does he WANT to do?

PinkPlantCase · 13/02/2021 22:01

100% Triple if he wants to do A level.

SeasonFinale · 13/02/2021 22:04

Triple - of he is already wanting to do A level why wouldn't he?

MissMarks · 13/02/2021 22:06

Precipice most of the top grammar schools where I live offer both double award and triple. Those that did double- most of my friends certainly were not dim!! they just didn’t particularly like science but are now barristers, partners in law firms, work in finance at very senior level. You don’t do two of the three sciences- just less content.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 13/02/2021 22:06

The dim kids? That's just delightful isn't it.

OP or school expect set 1 to do triple. Set 2 can put their names forward for consideration. They have plenty who did dual award go on to do A level.

For us though it doesn't count as an option so didn't stop them doing something else.

Ds is set 2 and could probably do well in triple but I'm not pushing it. With the disruption to their education I don't see the point of sticking more pressure on when it will be hard enough I think making up for lost time.

I would say do subjects he enjoys and that won't shut doors when it comes to post 16 education.

Original poster

kpp11 · 13/02/2021 22:06

DS is not sure, there was never any doubts that he would go for Triple Science , however one of his other options is in the same block as Triple Science and they can only choose one, so we are just doing a little research to check what is the best option.

OP posts:

HoneysuckIejasmine · 13/02/2021 22:07

Triple shouldn't be an optional thing, it should be integrated in to the top sets timetables, IMO. They can move fast enough to cover the content in the same time as lower sets studying double.

Did not enjoy trying to pull C and D grade students who liked science through the triple course because they took it as an option. It's not fair on anyone.

BluebellsGreenbells · 13/02/2021 22:08

At my school, only the dim kids did double science

Loads of intelligent people aren’t academic! How rude.

Original poster

kpp11 · 13/02/2021 22:09

At our school they only accept up to 30 kids (anyone can choose it but only the best ones get a place). DS is at the top of set 1, so he would have a place for sure.

OP posts:

HoneysuckIejasmine · 13/02/2021 22:09

Anyway, irrelevant rant.

Does his school require triple as an entry requirement for a level sciences? If so, take it. If not, branch out a bit.

StevieNicksIsMySpiritAnimal · 13/02/2021 22:10

At my school, only the dim kids did double science

Oh give over!

IVE known some incredibly clever children take double science because they wanted to take a creative or arts or essay subject instead

Yes. No point forcing kids into science subjects if that's not where they want to be.

Comefromaway · 13/02/2021 22:16

@HoneysuckIejasmine

Triple shouldn't be an optional thing, it should be integrated in to the top sets timetables, IMO. They can move fast enough to cover the content in the same time as lower sets studying double.

Did not enjoy trying to pull C and D grade students who liked science through the triple course because they took it as an option. It's not fair on anyone.

You do realise there is Foundation & Higher level single science options. Why should a less academic child not be able to study triple (single) sciences. They may get higher grades in science than history for example.

The new, reformed GCSE’s have a lot more content, hence it is entirely sensible to timetable 1 option slot per GCSE.

Comefromaway · 13/02/2021 22:18

Personally I think it’s better for a child to get 3 grade 5’s in single science than take double science and end up with a grade 3 in an essay subject if they struggle with essay subjects.

Comefromaway · 13/02/2021 22:21

@kpp11

DS is not sure, there was never any doubts that he would go for Triple Science , however one of his other options is in the same block as Triple Science and they can only choose one, so we are just doing a little research to check what is the best option.

It’s always a compromise when choosing options.

My dd is studying performing arts and always knew she would study that at degree level. However for GCSE she wanted to study triple science.

triple was in the same option block as drama. She did choose triple, but if it had been in the same block as music she’d have taken double.

Londonmummy66 · 13/02/2021 22:22

At my school, only the dim kids did double science

^

Aren't you a charmer? I got the top 1st in my subject at Oxford and have 13 O levels - only one is a science as I thought there were a lot of other subjects on offer that were far more interesting. I guess that makes me one of the dim kids.

MrsAvocet · 13/02/2021 22:40

At my children's school triple is compulsory for all except the bottom set, but they do get quite a lot of pupils from other schools coming into 6th form, some of whom have done double science. My son who is in year 13 says he thinks that those who have done double find A levels a bit harder going initially but catch up pretty quickly. Obviously that's only his perception of his class, but it largely makes sense to me.
I have a vague feeling that they might ask for higher grades to do science A levels in our 6th form if the GCSE is double though. It might be worth having a quick look at the 6th form prospectus at your school to see what the entry requirements are before you decide.
If it makes no difference, I would just let him opt for whatever he thinks he would enjoy more I think. Have you had a parents' evening yet? I'd also take his teacher's views into consideration - particularly the ones that teach the A levels he is ultimately hoping to do.

Embracelife · 13/02/2021 22:46

@Precipice

Definitely the Triple (so GCSEs in Chemistry, Physics, Biology), otherwise he'll cover much less material and struggle. I'm surprised this is even a question, if he's good. At my school, only the dim kids did double science (though there wouldn't have been any extra subject choice, just 2/3 of the subject matter).

GCSE level of those subjects isn't particularly advanced, but knowledge which everybody should have.

Rubbish..

dd did double science

then bio and chem for A level and now at med school.

MrsAvocet · 13/02/2021 22:59

@Londonmummy66

At my school, only the dim kids did double science

^

Aren't you a charmer? I got the top 1st in my subject at Oxford and have 13 O levels - only one is a science as I thought there were a lot of other subjects on offer that were far more interesting. I guess that makes me one of the dim kids.

Whilst I don't condone the PP's choice of language, I suspect she was referring to a system similar to the one in my children's school, where it is the teachers who make the decision rather than the pupils, and it is indeed the less academically able children who are directed to double science. That's quite different to the situation you describe. I'm old enough to have done O levels too and I know lots of bright people who didn't pick any sciences or maybe only one, but, rightly or wrongly, that doesn't seem to be an option now - either double or triple science are compulsory GCSEs for everyone as far as I'm aware. And many schools mandate which option pupils must do. I don't agree with the word "dim" but I suspect that what Precipice was trying to get over is that only children deemed not to be likely to pass triple do double at the school she's describing, not that anyone who doesn't have 3 science GCSEs is stupid.

RedGoldAndGreene · 13/02/2021 23:01

My dd did Combined and is now doing Biology at A-level. If she could go back in time she would have done triple but she didn't know she was interested in Biology until later.
A-level sciences are harder if you do combined but not impossible. In your case OP I would encourage him to pick triple.

Princessdebthe1st · 13/02/2021 23:14

My DD is doing double science and is working at grade 8/9 level. She is perfectly capable of doing triple but wanted to do computer science as well so she chose double. OP if your son wants to do science Alevel then he may need to do a bit of work over the Summer between GCSE and A levels to cover any missed content but doing double science should not be a block at all to future progress. At GCSE level tell him to do what he loves the most

clary · 13/02/2021 23:15

Of course you can do A level having done double (not least bc some schools don't offer triple).

The "clever kids do triple" thing comes from schools where triple is taught faster, in the same time as double, to the top sets, and is not in the options process at all.

But plenty of schools offer triple as an option - such as the OP's.

I would say OP if he wants to do A level in any science, then triple is a good shout. Am I correct in inferring that his other option would get him 8/9 whereas science will get him a lower grade? Seems unlikely if he is top set.

DS2 did triple (his school does the top set to triple in same number of lessons thing) and got 7/8/9; he does the 9 subject for A level.

What is the other subject your DS is thinking of? Is it one he would want to do for A level? Is it something (like drama or art) e could still pursue out of school?