School now not doing triple science, only combined? Child in yr 10.

[Barrenfieldoffucks]

DD had been under the impression that she was doing triple science, as had we. This was important to her because she wants to do physiotherapy, and as such wanted to do biology and then on to A-level.

She's fat better at biology than say, physics (which has struggled to maintain a regular teacher) and is concerned that combined science won't give her a chance to get a good grade in biology.

She will also now only have 9 GCSEs, not 10.

This has not been communicated to us, she has been told they're not offering triple science any more due to lack of staff.

What are our options? I have emailed the head of year to find out more, about communication as much as anything as I am aware they can't magic up a teacher and reinstate the 3rd GCSE.

Is it likely that combined science will work out ok in this instance, with her aspirations? She's been working really hard in her sciences recently and is quite downhearted. Or is it issue enough that we should be looking for her to take a biology GCSE privately? Or change schools (v disruptive and likely not possible at this stage)? Or just look into tutoring to get all 3 sciences at an equal level?

Is it possible to get good grades, and demonstrate a good level of ability through double science?

It's absolutely possible to go onto science a levels with combined science GCSEs.

Many schools don't offer triple at all.

If it's a lack of staff I suspect there is little the school can do about it.

It is a pain, but there is basically nothing you can do about it. But she can still get great grades at science A-levels if she is able and hard-working.

Yeah, as I said I don't expect the school to magic up the ability to do it, otherwise they'd still be running it. I will.be speaking with them more around their communication of the change, a discussion around options etc.

I just wasn't sure whether there was anything else we could be doing, and if it was necessary. She's very sporty as well, doing btec sport and competes at a high level, she wanted to tie the biology in with those things for a physio type career.

Lots of schools only offer combined science.
As PPs have said, it's perfectly possible to go on and take A Level Biology from combined science GCSEs.

The potential issue might be if her ability in the sciences is so varied that she would struggle to be of a higher paper level standard in all 3 sciences. Unlike with triple science, if you take combined science you have to take foundation paper for all 3 sciences, or higher paper for all 3 sciences. If your daughter wants to take A Level, she really needs to be taking higher papers. Your idea of tutoring if there is gaps or inconsistencies is probably a good one.

I did biology A Level after doing combined science. It was fine - I got two As at GCSE and an A for biology A Level.

My school didn't offer single sciences but this was back in the 90s.

It's a shame they aren't offering it but she can still achieve the same goals regardless. My son did combined and then did physics A Level where he achieved A*. But it's still disappointing because combined doesn't have as much depth for those who are really interested in the sciences.

Triple science isn't important. You can do anything sciencey at a high level with combined science.

You can do biology A level without having done separate sciences.
You do not have to have biology A level to be a physiotherapist - many universities accept alternatives eg BTec Health and social care.
All physiotherapy courses are accredited and are therefore regarded as equal - it does not matter where you get your degreee.

Thanks all for the information. She's quite a practical soul so she is interested in the possibility of an apprenticeship route when she gets to that stage.

I will look into.some tutoring/backup in the other sciences, in particular physics, and speak with the school about what her performance is like in those subjects currently.

She's top sets for all but it is hard to guage from what we can see/info we get given. The school isn't hugely academic, so I just want to make sure we don't miss opportunities for her.

Is she staying at this school or will she be going elsewhere for A levels? If she’s going somewhere else, it may be worth researching/getting in touch with them about their requirements for A level biology etc. from what others have said, it doesn’t sound like this will be a problem at all, but may still be reassuring to you both to hear what they have to say.

Bit of a shock though to be in year 10 and suddenly find out you're doing double not triple science, surely it's a different syllabus?

It's pretty rare for state schools to do triple science.

I did double gcse (a*s) then split bio chemistry for IB in 6th form (moved to a grammar dor 6th form as gcse school was awful).

Am a Dr. Didn't do me any harm

Many schools leave it very late to determine whether children sit combined versus triple, even as late as spring of y11, after mock results. All students study all.3 sciences, it's more in depth at triple level..As someone said, there are also then the different foundation and higher level papers. At foundation you can only achieve a highest level of 5, which is probably not advised as an A level pathway.

There is more content in triple science than for combined (unsurprisingly).

Worst case scenario is that the students have already learnt some triple science only content that they no longer need, but as OP's DC is interested in pursuing at least one science anyway, that's hardly a big problem.