Triple science or PE

[timeforachange999]

DC has to choose their GCSE options and they want to choose PE and combined science over triple science. There isn't another spare option to put PE in as that is taken with another subject. They are good at science and can probably achieve 8/9s. I think they should do triple science but their heart is set on PE. I don't think the school got very good grades in PE last year. DC is doing well in PE but doesn't play a team sport outside school any more so would have to do that through school. Although DC doesn't want to go down the science A-level route at the moment I think 13 is quite young to rule this out. I know you can do A-level sciences with combined science but not sure whether to steer DC towards their strengths or let them choose a subject they want to do. What would you do?

I have 3 dc 2 chose triple, one chose double. From what I've seen there's a lot of science lessons especially with triple (7-8 lessons a week for dc). So if they're not keen that's alot of science. However dc were told in some ways it's easier than double because the extra material to cover an extra gcse isn't equivalent to an extra gcse. And you get less exams overall (although the science ones are long).
Pe was one dc3 was looking at but got put off when was made aware it's not like pe lessons in key stage 3. So make sure dc is fully aware.
I let my 3 make the decisions as they're the ones doing all the work however I wanted them to explain to me why those choices and make sure they understood what these decisions meant.
We went to an alevel college open evening before Christmas one thing they said was if you haven't done triple science at gcse it's no problem but they would need to do a workbook over the summer to make sure they know enough to start alevel.

Do they do at least one sport outside school? IMO it’s tough without that. Ds did PE (and triple as it goes but it wasn’t set as an option) and at the time played footy for a local team and competed for his county at athletics. Most boards ask for three sports, one team, one individual and one either. Team can be doubles badminton tho (for example)

Double science is fine for A level anyway. I would say as long as they do enough sport, as above, go for PE, if it’s what they love. What else are they taking?

There’s a lot of science in PE GCSE btw. So not wanting to do triple as well is perhaps surprising as you surely would if you liked science.

ds2 did biology and PE A level = double biology!

Fine to do double science-it's the only option in many schools and you can still go on to A levels. Always best to choose the subjects they actually want to do.

DC does two individual sports outside school but no-longer does any team sports. School just says they need to do two sports outside school and they film they doing 7 sports in school and pick the best. I don't think they actively dislike science but the school is only giving them two options this year and they want to do PE and a MFL (sorry trying not to be outing. I should have just changed my user name). We will chat to the PE teachers at open evening and try and find out more about the course content and the sports assessment. I think the science part would be no problem for DC but more concerned about some of the other components of the course.