Any physics a-level teachers about?

[MsFogi]

DD3 has just come home from the first day of sixth form and had a bit of a wobble. She got 7/8 in combined science GCSE and is doing physics a-level but the class only has two of them who did combined rather than triple science. She is now worried she is already miles behind those who have done triple etc. May I check that kids who have done combined can still go on to achieve top grades in physics a level or is it a massive struggle/longshot for them?

Also not a physics teacher (!) but as I understand it the difference is mainly about volume of content. Was she not advised to work on the missed content over the summer? But no worries, I would say if not, that’s a task for now, then it should be an issue with her GCSE grades.

I am a physics teacher. Most years I have a couple of students who have taken combined rather than triple. I tend to set a revision task to revisit GCSE content as we start each A level topic. If it is material the combined students haven’t covered I invite them to a clinic session to talk it through.

As long as she works hard and asks for help when needed there is no reason why your DD can’t do brilliantly.

I did combined science (20+ years ago mind) and got an A at all 3 science A levels. For physics I think it depends how mathematically strong you are more than anything else

So sorry @MsFogi i meant it shouldn’t be an issue with her GCSE grades!

Thanks for all the responses - that is really helpful!

We don't allow combined science students to do a-level physics as we think the gap in knowledge is too great.

So yes- I am surprised- especially as she only an 7/8- that she was allowed to take up the A-level. Was physics her strongest science?

Saying that- if she works hard and is dedicated, she can do well although will find it difficult.

Depends. Is she doing Maths A Level too?

I'm teaching A-level to a couple of students with combined science (and lower grades than your daughter's). It wouldn't be an issue where I work. I think weak maths is more of a barrier to higher grades than triple GCSE content.

Thanks - yes she is doing maths so good to hear that will help.

I think with 7/8 in combined, she will definitely find it hard. But it will be a huge help that she is doing maths.

My DD school will not allow you to do Science A levels after the combined GCSE - only if you’ve studied them individually. Perhaps for this reason?

Apart from the volume of content at GCSE for Science, GCSE Maths grade could be a deal breaker.

If she is doing A level Maths after a high 8/9 at GCSE then the two will complement each other in some aspects. If she got a 7 then she will struggle in Maths, which leads to the same thing in Physics.

I obviously teach in a much more inclusive 6th form than others on here. Of course students who come from combined science are successful at A-level. The specifications start from an assumed knowledge of combined not triple GCSE. Two years ago, my top performing A* student came from combined. (He was an excellent artist who chose to do GCSE art over triple science.)

I teach AQA for both GCSE and A-level. In the year 12 content, the only main advantage triple students have is that they have studied moments (covered at KS3, not in combined GCSE). By the time life cycle of a star comes up in astrophysics in year 13, the triples have forgotten the GCSE version! I think those schools that require students to study all of the triple content over summer are giving the students unnecessary work.

Also 7,8 is a perfectly respectable starting point for A-level. Probably not looking at an A grade in the future, but many less possible things have happened! Good luck to her!