GCSE Science choice

[Milo51]

I would like to get advice from other mums regarding GCSE choice.

My Y9 DD needs to choose GCSE subjects next month.
Her school has changed their policy from this year and quite flexible about science choice.

In addition to triple science, double science, they allow stand alone either one or two sciences subjects if pupil has a valid reason.

My DD would like to do Biology, physics, as a single subjects then, drop Chemistry.

She is quite able for all subjects but she is not keen on Chemistry, Geography even though her grade is quite good for those subjects. She said she can’t enjoy them.

Her choices are

English
English Lit
Maths
Further maths (She might drop)
Biology
Physics
History
Business
Religious Studies
Classics
Latin (She might drop)
Spanish

She loves History and Philosophy side of Religious studies and loves writing essay and debating. So she said she is 120% sure she will not take Science at A level. At the moment she said she would like to be a lawyer.

Is there any disadvantage for her for university entry in the future without studying Chemistry?

Not answering your question.

I think it is a shame she is thinking of doing this. I was forced to choose between Physics&Chemistry or Biology back in the 80s. I think the combine/dual award that does some of all 3 sciences is far preferable as general education than more of just 2 of them.

If she wants to do biology at degree level she shouldn't drop chemistry now as chem is often one of the preferred a levels on a bio degree (that may have changed since I last looked but worth checking)

I am so confused. Why so many subjects? My 3 x DC all went to/go to private schools. 2 sons went to leading public schools, Dd goes to a very well regarded day school. They all took/are taking 9 subjects. The only people taking 10 are those taking further maths or a native language in addition to their standard GCSE language as it is so easy for them. Ditto for all their friends at top private schools. Why do state school DCs seem to take 12, 13, 14 GCSEs? The universities don't care

What concerns me is your 13/14 yo may be 120% sure now, but in 2 years time, having studied things properly she may change her mind. Especially as education will have been disrupted since she started secondary and e.g. they may have had less opportunity than usual to do their own chemistry experiments.

I was assuming it was private as state schools don't usually have the timetable flexibility to offer random combinations.

Also, is 'not enjoying it' a valid enough reason?
I know some kids with ASD can't cope with Biology for example, which would be a valid reason.

I think most able DC all seem to take triple science

It'll look odd if she doesn't

@TeenPlusCat

Not answering your question.

I think it is a shame she is thinking of doing this. I was forced to choose between Physics&Chemistry or Biology back in the 80s. I think the combine/dual award that does some of all 3 sciences is far preferable as general education than more of just 2 of them.

Yep this. I dropped physics at 14 and I wish I had been able to continue it (I couldn't if I wanted to do my other choices). Double science would have been perfect for me. I do feel often and often my lack of knowledge of physics.

To answer the OP, no chemistry GCSE will not be an issue as long as she doesn't want to do any kind of science (medicine, vet, dentist, science degree) later. I still wouldn't advise is on the whole tho. A friend's DD did this.

That's a LOT of GCSEs btw. Is this a private school? 8/9 is plenty and most schools don't do more than 10 max.

OP I would push her to do double then she doesn't lose an option slot but still has it covered if she changes her mind.

Dropping Chem at this stage will make both physics and biology harder.
If she wanted to drop either bio or physics, I would say it makes possible sense. But dropping chemistry is a foolish suggestion that will ultimately make life harder. She'd be better doing a double award if she really doesnt wanted full chem GCSE.

Thank you for all who replied.
Yes, DD goes to private and have to choose 10 , if takes further maths, 11. DD would like to take all subjects which I listed but need to narrow down. I have tried to convince her to do double science but DD said she is good at Physics and Biology so would like to study as single subject. The part of the reason DD doesn't enjoy Chemistry and Geography are because DD is colour blind. DD hates to get assistance during lesson nor exam situation. Also DD has some restriction for her job choice in the future.

Ah, I see why being colour blind might affect chemistry because she would need to be able to understand flame tests and be able to identify the Ph of something. That said it is usually a case of remembering what colour they should be rather than in a practical application. I would suggest talking to the teacher before making this decision.

I agree with other posters that only doing 2 sciences might be a drawback because it doesn't show a rounded education. Also, chemistry really does help with biology as there is some crossover.

I'm not sure if law schools look at GCSE subjects, but if they do, stopping chemistry at 14 might not be a good idea.

Science teacher here. It's worth reminding her that the double science will be easier than the full science course in Bio & Phys. She will effectively be choosing triple level content in those two (think of it like extension material and topics in addition to the core that they learn in double) and getting 2 GCSEs. If she does double award she will cover all 3 sciences at an easier level and still get 2 GCSEs. Plus keep all future options wide open.

Also, as others have pointed out, Chemistry is the bridging science with overlap in the others. biology and physics have no common content.

I would highly recommend double. I don't understand why chemistry would be any worse than the others in terms of colour blindness either? If anything I can imagine Biology diagrams being more challenging?

Flame tests and pH tests would just require stating the colour though. She would have a lab partner for practicals if seeing the indicators/flames is an issue. Wouldn't be a concern in exam they are black and white and will state any colours.

@QuizzicalEyebrows

I think most able DC all seem to take triple science

Not necessarily. Doing Dual Science frees up another subject so is a good choice for right students wanting to do an extra language or humanity. Two of mine did this and both at Russell Group Unis. I’m also a teacher at an academic independent school and I would say same applies there.

I think it is a shame not to learn about

• the different groups in the periodic table
• ionic & covalent bonding
• isotopes
• radioactive decay & half lives

etc. I kind of view it as expected general knowledge.

My dd did the 3 single awards as loved Science. Foster son doing Trilogy double award. He is not keen on Biology as more writing and less Maths but acknowledges it is more balanced to do some of each. He wants Sports at A level and plays at county level in one sport and for large town in a different sport. Worth checking with careers advisor. That is what we did.

My sons state school offered complete flexibility with gcse options.

It’s not true that all academic children take triple science and it looks odd if they don’t. That might be the case in schools where double and triple get the same amount of time in the timetable but the highly selective private school Ds used to go to had it as a totally free choice. Double science took two timetable blocks and triple science took 3. Those who were more arts orientated (including students who went on to Oxbridge) often took double. The head of chemistry also told me that even students who changed their mind were able to take A level science having only done double GCSE and it didn’t seem to affect their A level grades.

A level PE has a biology element @caringcarer, so studying biology in double science is exactly the right thing to do.

Thank you everyone. It is so helpful to read all comments.
I agree with having basic general knowledge, round education.
We still have a time to submit the choice so I will discuss with her.
It is true that some people see double science as inferior but DD would like to take more interesting subjects which she enjoys. DD told me that without Chemistry, Geography she is very confident to get good mark for all as she enjoys studying other subjects.
DD has some experience in Geography and Chemistry class in the past and since then never asked any help and also hates when teachers try to assist but not in a discreet way! It's easier to convince her if she doesn't likes Biology and Physics though.

The top and bottom of it is that most more able students take triple science so by not doing so she's putting herself in a category that she may not want to be in.

At many schools, they tell you if you are doing triple science based on whether they deem you capable.

All of my children were told by their schools that they would do triple science and would have to work out other choices around that.

One went on to do Chemistry at Uni and another did Physics. Both say that if you were to drop one science Biology would be the one (they are obviously a bit biased though).

It's silly to do two separate science for 2 GCSEs. Much better to do Combined Science for the two GCSEs. I can't believe the school is giving her this choice.

Colour blindness will not come into exams.

I don't understand the colour blindness issue. All GCSE exam papers are printed in black and white so it shouldn't make any difference. A few minor parts of the chemistry specification involve colours e.g. flame tests, but you can easily learn "sodium turns the flame yellow" without having to see it with your own eyes.

I wouldn't advise dropping one science, especially if she might continue another one in future. Chem GCSE will be important if studying Bio A-level for example, and some of physics too e.g. nuclear physics.

I’m a head of science. It is not true that all able students take triple science. Combined science would be the right choice for a student who is bright and unlikely to take science A-levels. A 9.9 at combined science is still two grade 9s and requires the same amount of work as any other two 9s. The perceived difference is because many schools race bright students through three GCSEs in the time normally given to two; which is no fun for most.

Taking biology and physics without chemistry would be a bad idea. There is overlapping content and she will be giving herself more work to do without reward. For example - in physics, you cannot understand resistance in electrical circuits without knowledge of metallic bonding from chemistry.

I have taken colour blind students through A-level chemistry before and it makes very little difference.

I wouldn't do Latin and Classics, especially as she is doing History. Latin and History would be my preferred two out of those three.