Dropping chemistry GCSE in Y11

[Popfan]

My DS is in Y11. He is is dyslexic and although bright doesn't enjoy academic learning at all as it's hard work for him. At his school they do 2 gcses early after studying them in Y9 and Y10 and he passed those (DT at a 4 and BTEC PE at a merit).
He definitely doesn't want to do A Levels and stay on at 6th form. We've visited the local colleges and he has conditional offers for a level 3 BTEC at one and a carpentry course at another. At most (for the BTEC) he needs the basic 5 gcses with English and maths, so he has 2 already and needs one more with the maths and English. Obviously it would be great for him to get as many as possible but this is the minimum aim. They have chosen another 2 options for Y11 and do these with maths/ English and science.

In his recent mocks he did ok generally. They do the sciences as single sciences and combined science isn't an option. He got 4s for physics and biology (and nearly a 5 in biology) with no revision at all at home as he's been focusing so heavily on English and maths but a 1 in chemistry. He doesn't understand this subject at all.

It's looking like he will be able to drop chemistry and just enter biology and physics. Is there any reason at all why this might be a bad idea? I think he should and then focus on the others. To be honest we'd written off science but his results in physics and biology mean he should put a bit of work into these and he could attain another 2 qualifications!

I can't see a reason to carry on with chemistry but it would be good to hear opinions!

In my experience it would be up to the school. They may not want him to drop it due to their figures. But there is no reason why he can't just do the exam and not put any work in towards it if that's what you feel is best. It's still quite a long way from summer exams. Are you sure he's doing separate science and not combined? It's unusual for schools not to offer combined science.

Yes, I emailed the Head of science and they are definitely not offering combined science and she has said they are probably going to let some classes drop one science.

Is your child at a private school OP? It seems unusual as that would mean they wouldn’t be ‘filling enough buckets’ so would affect the schools figures if in state school. It can be done though and they aren’t wanting to study science further shouldn’t be a problem in the long run

If school are willing which it seems they are, then I can't see it would have any negative impact moving forward.
It will have clear benefits now - less to revise, fewer exams.
Do it.

He's at a state secondary. It's a great school where the head puts the interests of the students above outside pressures.
Thanks for the replies.