A-Level sciences with combined science (double) GCSE

[SuSl678]

DD is in year 9 and currently starting to think about GCSE options.

Her school abandoned separate sciences at GCSE a couple of years ago and now only offers the combined sciences double certificate, which is compulsory for all. They also closed their 6th form and so DD will need to go somewhere else for A-Levels. However, all of the other local schools offer separate sciences for their top sets, so will DD be at a disadvantage or even able to do science A-Levels at another school without having done separate sciences?

Science and maths are DD’s “thing”, which she has always been very good at and so I am feeling a bit concerned. The school has fairly limited GCSE options, they only teach one language and so DD will take that, with the remaining option either being a third humanity (3 choices are offered) or a practical subject. DD dislikes/isn’t very good at the practical subjects, other than PE but GCSE isn’t offered, just a lower level qualification, plus she doesn’t participate in sports outside of school, so not sure if it will even be an option. So it looks like it’s going to be the third humanity option, which DD is okay at but dislikes.

I’m actually seriously considering looking into DD changing school, so that she can do separate sciences, rather than three humanities, as we aren’t very happy with academics at her current school either, but she is reluctant to leave friends.

Yes, you need to see if it is a Level 2 Certificate (same level as GCSE) or a Level 1.
My guess is it is a Level 2. Cambridge Technicals / BTECs / City&Guilds at Level 2 are fine qualifications. One at y11 is fine even for an 'academic' pupil.

If you don't make the decision to move her, and she does science A levels, you could have tuition over the summer between year 11 and 12 to 'catch up' on triple content.

Not so much because it's required, but to boost confidence if she's going a sixth form where most have done triple, so she doesn't feel she's starting on the back foot.

I tutor for sciences online and I've done this for students in the past. (Please ignore any spag errors in this post, DD had her first sleepover last night so I'm not firing on all cylinders)

I’d move.

it solves three problems:

1. triple science
2. Another foreign language
3. sixth form available so no need to change again

id look at the most academic out of all of them with the best attainment 8 grade and ask to look around.

If there are spaces everywhere she could always move back to her current school if it didn’t work out.

Her GCSEs would look completely different from one school to another.

3 x sciences
2 x languages
1 x maths
2 x English
1 x humanities

= 9 subjects

instead of

2 x sciences
1 x languages
1 x maths
2 x English
3 x humanities

= 9 subjects

she has to do an extra 2 humanities subjects which may affect her grades.

GCSEs are hard work and unless you enjoy the subject it’s hard to keep sustained interest in them