Author Archives: Chris Walsh

1. How to get ready for the new school year

   11 August 2023 11:33 am Leave a Comment

   The summer holidays are long – and for parents they can sometimes feel like a lifetime. However – for teachers and students alike – the start of the new school year can really feel like it rushes up on you far too quickly.

   If you’re not careful, it can catch you unawares. So, we’ve put together some tips to help you make sure that you are ready for new school year.

   Don’t panic: Relax

   Even if the summer holidays end in a last-minute rush get to things done, it’s important to try to stay relaxed. The last thing you want to do is to panic. Even if you’ve left yourself with no time to do all the things you should have done over the break, try to keep some perspective.

   What’s done is done, so there really is no point in stressing over it.  Worrying about things is never helpful. You just need to try to get yourself in the best head space you can from that moment on.

   Hopefully though, you’ll be reading this blog way before the start of term, and it’ll give you a bit of a kick-start…

   Try to keep your brain in gear during the summer holidays

   Every young person deserves to (and really should) switch off and unwind during the summer holidays. You need to recharge the old batteries, after all.

   However, the problem with switching off completely or for too long is that it becomes very hard to switch back on! The first couple of weeks in September are bound to be a shock to the system. That’s only natural and to be expected. Teachers feel this as much as students. 

   You will feel shattered but if you’ve tried to keep your brain in gear and at least partially active during the break, you will find the transition back to term time much easier to deal with.

   Have a quick recap and read through of what you did last year

   Nobody is advocating working solidly throughout the summer, but it does make sense to spend a bit of time recapping what you did last year – especially if you are in-between Year 10 and 11 or Year 12 and 13. 

   You’ll be surprised how reassuring it can be and how it puts you in the right frame of mind. It will also make you feel more confident about the year ahead.

   It’s just about refreshing your memory. This is never a bad thing. Similarly, it’s worth spending a some time revising what you did last year. Remember, revision should never just be left to when you have exams coming up. Revise a little, a lot – and as you go through topics, not just for tests.

   Get yourself prepared

   From making sure your uniform still fits to getting hold of any books you need, getting prepared for new term can take many forms. Get your school bag ready and buy all the stationery and equipment you need in good time.

   Getting back into the routine of term time is one of the most difficult things about the start of a new school year, but if you leave it to the day you start back… ‘difficult’ becomes ‘virtually impossible.’

   Try going to bed at a sensible time at least a few days before the new term and get back into the habit of getting up early(ish) too. 

   Tidy your room so it can be an effective working space from Day One.

   As we said earlier, the new term will be a shock to the system.

   The trick is to make sure it’s not too much of a shock!

2. What to expect on results day

   21 July 2023 4:05 pm Leave a Comment

   After all the hard work and pressure is done – all the revision and all those exams – the wait begins. It can be a long and anxious wait for many, but results day will come around soon enough.

   So, what can you expect on results day?

   Results day for GCSE students

   Results day is a stressful time for parents and students alike but as the old saying goes: there’s strength in numbers. Students normally go into school together on the day to collect their results. You will be given an exam slip with all your grades on it. It also includes a breakdown of your marks alongside each grade. This means that you can see how far off you are from a particular grade.

   If you are disappointed or surprised about a grade in a subject and it’s lower than expected, you can request a remark. There is a fee for this although the school will normally cover the cost. It’s best to talk your teachers about any possible remarks as they have a better understanding of grade boundaries and how the marking process works.

   Bear in mind that remarks can go up or down so you could potentially end up with a grade lower than the one you were first given. This is why it’s best to trust your teachers on this one!

   There will be teachers in school on the day to discuss any questions you have and to offer advice about whether you should change your A level options. For example, if you have under-performed in a subject you were hoping to study at a higher level.

   Remember, nothing – remarks or post-16 options – must be decided there and then on the day. Seek advice, talk to your teachers, and chat things through with your parents too. Don’t rush into any decisions.

   Results Days for A Level students

   For most A level students, the priority on results day is to find out whether they have had their university offer confirmed. You find this out before you receive your actual results. You can log on the UCAS website – as early as 6.00am.

   If your results have met the requirements of your university offer, you will see ‘Unconditional’. This means you have got your university place! Unfortunately, if it reads ‘Unsuccessful’ it means that you have missed out. You might also see ‘Unconditional Changed Course’ (UCC). This means that you have missed your original offer, but the university is prepared to give you a place on a different course.

   In terms of finding out your A level results; most exam boards now release results online early in the morning. Your school/college will have given you log in details to use. You can also still go into school later in the morning to collect your results.

   If you are left disappointed with your results, there are a couple of key things to bear in mind. Firstly, remember that universities only receive overall grades, not the breakdown of marks. This means that if you were only a few marks away from achieving a grade that would have meant you would have met your offer, it’s often worth contacting the university to see if they will reconsider. 

   Finally, remember that all is not lost – the Clearing process begins on results day. This is the chance to look to look for a university place if you don’t already have one. 

   If you missed out with your grades, there’s still an excellent chance that you will still get a university place through clearing.

3. Why the summer holidays are important for students and teachers

   14 July 2023 5:01 pm Leave a Comment

   Well, it’s that time of year again. The summer holidays are upon us, and this means that the same old perennial questions will be asked again: Why are the summer holidays so long? Wouldn’t it be better if the summer break was shortened?

   On the face of it, there appear to be several potential benefits of a shorter summer holiday for students, parents, and teachers.

   Benefits of a shorter summer break

   the summer learning gap is a factor that has been extensively researched. studies show – particularly in the transition from year 6 to year 7 (and between years 7 and 8) – that a learning gap does exist. students lose some of the skills and knowledge that they have developed during the previous academic year. the argument is that, with a shorter break, the gap would be reduced.

   what’s more, with the disparity between the attainment of poorer, disadvantaged pupils and their better-off classmates remaining a stubborn problem, there is concern that the long summer break only widens the gap.

   and then there are the practicalities of the summer break. family life was very different when the long summer break was first introduced all those years ago. most mums played the role of the traditional housewife – while the dads went out to work. this meant that the summer holidays weren’t logistically challenging at all – just a lot of hard work for the mums left at home trying to entertain the kids for six long weeks!

   but with many – if not most – families now having two working parents, the issue of summer childcare can be a real challenge. a reduced summer break would certainly be less of a headache for working parents, that’s for sure.

   Drawbacks of a shorter summer break

   However, a shorter summer break would not be without drawbacks. The vast majority of teachers in primary and secondary schools are against the idea of a shorter summer holiday. This is mainly because by the end of the academic year most teachers are burned out and desperately in need of a chance to switch off and recharge their batteries. 

   The same could be said to be true of students too – especially for Year 6 students who have just faced the pressure of the SATs exams, and GCSE students who face intense pressure for the best part of two years.

   The pace of modern school and family life is fast. The long summer holiday gives families the opportunity to spend quality time together. It also gives young people the chance to explore interests outside of school and develop their independence.

   The bottom line is this… 

   In all honesty, the way the current school year is designed probably isn’t the best way to support student or staff wellbeing. It probably isn’t that well matched to modern family life – and it probably doesn’t do all it could to reduce inequality.

   However, the alternatives to the long summer holidays would require a dramatic, root and branch overhaul of the entireschool system, the curriculum and the way students are assessed.

   As there doesn’t seem much appetite for or likelihood of such a change, the long summer holiday looks set to stay.

   Therefore, the summer holidays are a much-needed chance for students and teachers to relax and recharge; to slow down; and to look after their physical and mental health.

   And that’s why the summer holidays are so important for students and teachers.

4. Why it’s impossible to tutor your own kids

   7 July 2023 1:15 pm Leave a Comment

   In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis – and coming so soon after the covid pandemic which dented most people’s finances in one way or another – it’s only natural for families to be looking at cutting costs and trying to tighten the purse strings a bit.

   It’s why many parents may be experiencing a particular dilemma right now. It’s clear that your child could do with some extra help with their schoolwork – especially to prepare them for their exams. A private tutor would certainly help – but what about the expense? 

   I know… I’ve got A Levels in those subjects… Why don’t I do the tutoring myself?

   The downside of the DIY approach

   The first reason why you shouldn’t tutor your own kids yourself is to do with the downside of the DIY approach…

   Now, of course, you might be reading this blog right now and consider yourself to be a DIY whizz – and if that’s the case, we salute you!

   However, back in the real world, many of us mere mortals have looked at a slightly botched DIY job that we have just completed in the home and tasted the sour taste of the downside of the DIY approach ourselves.

   You see, that’s why the professionals exist!

   Yes, you might have saved some money – but the job has ended up taking you longer, caused you untold stress, and doesn’t look as good as it would’ve done if you’d employed the services of a professional.

   Well, the same is true of tutoring.

   Most tutors are either undergraduates who are still in – or have recently gone through – the education system and the exams that your child is facing right now; or they are qualified teachers who have years of experience in the classroom and of exams.

   The ‘insider knowledge’ that a tutor can bring to the table is one of the main reasons why you should not tutor your own kids but leave it to the professionals instead.

   A parent is too close to their own children to tutor them

   The second main reason why it’s impossible to tutor your own kids is that the close relationship between a parent and child can create a very challenging educational environment.

   Teaching your own children brings a lot of emotional weight with it. And it works both ways too. Although nobody knows their kids better than their parents, it’s still likely that a child – when they get things wrong – will take comments from parents as personal criticisms and slights; even though all the parent is trying to do is to help them get right what they got wrong.

   In a nutshell, it just throws too many complications into the mix. And that is never a recipe for success.

   The bottom line is this: even if you are a trained teacher, you may find it challenging to teach your own children.

   Don’t Do it Yourself: Call on the Professionals

   A parent can do a lot to support a child who is struggling academically, but seeking external help is often the best thing to do.

   A private tutor is a fresh face and brings a fresh pair of eyes to the situation. They will know the academic content that your child is struggling with inside-out, and intuitively know how best to support them.

   Call on the professionals now and talk to the TutorRight team today!

5. The Benefits Of Online Tuition

   15 June 2023 2:39 pm Leave a Comment

   One of the positives to come out of the covid pandemic is that the whole world now knows more about the benefits of online working and online learning.

   The technology was already there, of course, but it took a desperate situation to emerge to really force people into having to use it. But its legacy is a positive one. In the workplace, it has opened people’s eyes to the benefits of home and hybrid working. So much so, that it has been genuinely transformational to people’s lives.

   Similarly, within education, online learning has the power to be equally game-changing. During the pandemic, schools were pretty much thrown headfirst into the deep end into the idea of online lessons. Naturally, as a result, its results and success were variable in schools across the country – but the potential benefits for the future are already clear and are beginning to be explored.

   In some schools, teachers have begun to record lessons or to create specific online content that students can access in their own time. This could be especially useful for students who have missed lessons through illness, etcetera. Furthermore, ‘Snow Days’ will probably now become a thing of the past and be consigned to history…

   And when it comes to private tuition, there are several benefits to doing it online rather than face-to-face. 

   Online tutoring gives you more flexibility

   The most obvious benefit of online tuition is the flexibility it offers. There is no need to factor in travel time. As most face-to-face tuition takes place after school, rush hour traffic can be a significant factor. Re-scheduling, when it’s needed, becomes a lot easier when tuition takes place online.

   Without the need for travelling, it’s easier (for tutors and students) to find time for lessons. This can be particularly useful in the run-up to exams where extra sessions might be needed.

   Technology is great for learning

   Online tutoring makes it easier to share documents, files, videos, and links that could be useful for learning. Online storage clouds mean that potentially vast amounts of resources can be shared during or after lessons between a tutor and a student – without the need to print reams of paper – and who’s got a photocopier in their living room anyway?

   Not only that, using online whiteboards and the array of online tools that are available can really help to engage students, particularly those who are visual learners.

   Furthermore, without really knowing it, online tuition will help to build students’ IT skills. Communicating through chat platforms and video conferencing tools will be a permanent fixture of the future workplace. Developing confidence with such tools will help students in the job market in years to come.

   A more relaxed environment

   Online tuition is a little bit different from face-to-face tuition and very different from traditional learning in the classroom. The change in pace and style can be a real advantage for students and can be great for those who lack confidence.

   At the end of the day, online tuition is not for everyone. Certainly, it can be harder to build a rapport between tutor and student online than if the learning was face-to face. Equally though, there are plenty of benefits and advantages to online tuition – and it is the perfect option for many students.

   If you want to find out more about online tuition, get in touch with the TutorRight team.

6. Why are GCSEs important? 

   2 June 2023 12:12 pm Leave a Comment

   With the GCSE exam season now well underway for another year, it’s worth taking a moment to think about why GCSEs are important.

   GCSEs are essentially the centrepiece of the UK’s education system. They’ve been around for a long time too. First introduced in 1987 – replacing O-Levels – they have taken various forms, from 100% coursework to virtually no coursework at all. The latest major change involved changing the grading system from A*-G to 9-1.

   Ironically, the latest version of GCSEs – introduced in 2017 actually have more in common with the old O-Level exams than their predecessor GCSEs.  O-Levels were the first public examinations introduced in the UK after the Second World War.

   The principle of standardised tests taken at the age of 16 at the end of two years of study has changed little in decades. There are many arguments around whether they are the best way to assess students’ ability.

   As an aside, Finland repeatedly comes out on top when global school education systems are ranked. In Finland, there are no standardised tests at all for any year group – except for one single test called the National Matriculation Exam. This can be taken at the end of high school, but it is entirely voluntary. Children don’t even start school until the age of seven!

   Despite all this, there seems little chance of our well-established system changing in the UK. 

   So, what are the implications of doing well or doing poorly in GCSEs?

   GCSEs are seen as the benchmark – both for students and schools. Students often need 5 passes at GCSE (Grade 4 or above, including English and Maths) to progress to sixth form or college – especially if students want to study Level 3 qualifications, such as A-Levels or T-Levels. 

   And just as young people are judged by how they do against these measurements, so are schools. The number of pupils that get 5 GCSE passes including English and Maths is one of the key measurements that determines School League Tables.

   GCSEs can also affect the subjects you are able to study in further education. For example, most schools and colleges will require a student to have studied a subject at GCSE before being allowed to study it at A Level. Often, they will also set a minimum grade you need to get at GCSE for that subject. This is mostly true for traditional academic subjects.

   However, it’s also worth knowing that there are many A-Level subjects that either don’t have a GCSE – or at least most schools don’t offer these subjects. If this is the case, colleges normally look at performance in Maths and English GCSEs.

   Universities and other higher education providers also look at GCSE grades. Again, it is typical that they set a minimum requirement for Maths and English GCSE grades – and for the subject a student wants to go on to study.

   Final thoughts

   There’s no point trying to ignore it – GCSEs are important. But failure in them is never the end of the world. There are always opportunities to retake GCSEs and there are now a wealth of other options at further education level and beyond. There is a big wide world out there that doesn’t necessarily revolve around GCSEs.

7. Is university the right choice for me?

   1 June 2023 2:05 pm Leave a Comment

   One of the most difficult questions that young people must get their heads around these days is definitely: Is university the right choice for me?

   In many ways, it used to be so straightforward… 

   If you had the academic ability, you would follow the traditional route: you left school and went to college or sixth form; from there you went on to university and then you started your career. 

   Simple.

   But times change and there are now many more potential routes open to school leavers.

   So, which way should you turn?

   Why go to university?

   The first part of figuring out the answer to the question of whether university is the right choice for you is to think carefully about why you are thinking of going in the first place.

   University is still by far the most popular choice for school and college leavers. And with so much of a focus on higher education, it can feel like it’s the only route open to you.

   However, it really, really isn’t.

   And if you’re thinking of going to university simply because that’s what everybody else seems to be doing or because most of your friends are, think again!

   What other options are there?

   Well, the most obvious alternative to university is an apprenticeship.

   Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training in a wide range of highly skilled job roles. From engineering to agriculture – and pretty much everything in-between – there’s a very good chance that there’s something out there for you.

   You’ll come out of it with a foundation degree or higher but the main difference between apprenticeships and uni is that you’ll get real training in the workplace alongside your studying – and you get paid for it too.

   Some industries and sectors also offer school leaver training programmes. These are sometimes designed by big companies looking to train up new recruits. Again, you can study – either for a degree or specific professional qualifications that are directly related to the area of work.

   If all this appeals to you, it could well be a better choice for you than going to university.

   

   Good reasons to go to university

   However, you shouldn’t feel like we are trying to talk you out of going to university. There are several good reasons why it still could be the best option for you.

   For example, if you already know what career path you want to take, university could be the right track. Lawyers, doctors and teachers and similar jobs typically require you to have a degree. So, university is the logical next step to take from school or college.

   Statistically, university tends to lead to higher-paid jobs. This comes down to the difference between ‘professional’ jobs – the ones that typically follow on from university – and ‘non-professional’ jobs. As a rough guide, professionals tend to start on around £7,000 more per year than non-professionals.

   In fact, the earnings gap over a lifetime can be as much as £321,000!

   Passion for a subject

   Another good reason to go to university could be if you have a real passion in a subject. If you love a subject and learning in general, you’ll love university!

   You can plan for your future career at the same time as well, of course. Many graduates get involved in volunteering or take on an internship, or another kind of work experience placement.

   However, it’s worth remembering that there’s no guarantee of a job once you’ve finished your degree. This is especially true if you haven’t really thought about what you’d like to do after the course has finished when you choose your degree subject.

   Many sectors still offer ‘graduate level’ jobs for university places but the competition for places is extremely competitive.

   Is the student debt worth it?

   You’ve probably heard about student debt. If you go to university, you’ll be taking on a lot of debt because students take out loans to pay for tuition fees and living costs, such as rent. 

   As most universities charge in the region of £9,000 a year for tuition fees. That means that over a 3-year course, you’re looking at around £27k for the tuition fees alone.

   In 2021/22 the average student debt in England after finishing a degree was £45,150.

   You shouldn’t necessarily let this put you off though. You are given plenty of time to pay off your loans and the amount you pay is determined by the amount you earn after you have left university.

   But it does mean that just drifting through a degree course without knowing what you want to do at the end of it probably isn’t particularly wise!

   Final tips

   At the end of the day, only you can answer the question: Is university the right choice for me?

   Whether your answer is Yes, Maybe, or Definitely Not, it really doesn’t matter as long as you have made the right decision for you.

   The question needs to be given a lot of thought. 

   Consider where you are aiming to get to and whether a degree will help you get there.

   Think carefully about whether you really want to study for another 3 years and if you need to take on the student debt.

   Most of all, weigh up all the pros and cons of all the different options open to you.

8. Why Are Teachers Striking?

   21 April 2023 4:22 pm Leave a Comment

   With the current strike action by teachers at the moment. It seems a good moment to try and unpick the question: Why are teachers striking?

   Often the media paints a distorted picture of strike action. This is true of all sectors and – naturally – the focus is often on the disruption caused rather than the reasons behind the action. 

   It’s why you may have seen plenty of reporting about cancelled appointments and operations because of strikes in the NHS, for example. Meanwhile, in education, much of the media attention has focused on the disruption to children’s schooling – especially as the industrial action comes relatively soon after covid – and all the disruption to education caused by the pandemic.

   

   Teacher strikes – Some context

   For over a decade now government funding for education has been cut. The funding squeeze has had a detrimental effect on the quality of children’s education. Schools have been forced to cut services to the bone and are continually asked to do more with less.

   On a day-to-day basis, this means less teachers and support staff which, in turn, leads to larger class sizes. Provision for students with special needs and those with mental health issues has been particularly affected.

   In addition, the current climate of increased energy prices has crippled schools financially. Moreover, the government’s continued resistance to dealing with longstanding concerns about teachers’ pay and workload has exacerbated an already worrying recruitment and retention crisis within the profession. 

   Schools are struggling to attract new teachers. Not only that, one in three teachers leave the profession within five years of qualifying.

   There are teacher shortages in many subjects, including Maths. School leaders are increasingly left with no option but to put non-specialist staff in front of classes.

   Why are Teachers Striking? – It’s not just about pay

   When you appreciate the context surrounding it, you can see that the current industrial action in schools is certainly not just about pay.

   However, pay is an issue. The profession has faced pay freezes and minimal rises for over a decade. Pay offers have increased slightly in the last year – an average of 5.4% in September and a further offer of 4.5% for next year. However, these rises are heavily weighted for teachers at the lower end of the pay scale. It means that experienced teachers and school leaders receive the least. This does nothing to address the existing retention issues, the pay awards are still not enough to attract new recruits to the profession in the numbers that are so desperately needed.

   The other thing which should not be forgotten is that any pay rise that the government has offered to date has not been fully funded. The money to pay for salary increases must come out of a school’s existing budget – essentially meaning that the greater the pay rise, the more students suffer.

   Teachers’ wages have been falling behind for years now.  And with the current 10%+ rate of inflation, the pay offers that the government has offered to date are in effect real terms pay cuts. Indeed – teachers have lost 23% in real terms since 2010. And for support staff, the figure is even higher at 27%

   All teachers are asking for is a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise. 

   Teaching unions argue that any disruption to children’s education through strike action is dwarfed by the long-term damage caused by year-on-year education funding cuts, and the government’s continued inaction on teacher workload and pay. 

   All in all, the answer to the question ‘Why are teachers striking?‘ lies within a perfect storm of low pay, funding cuts, and excessive workload.

   And, as the unions say, staff working conditions are student learning conditions.

9. Why Do We Still Study Shakespeare?

   14 April 2023 11:41 am Leave a Comment

   It’s a question that many pupils and parents alike have asked over the years… Why do we still study Shakespeare?

   On the face of it, you can see why: the language is unfamiliar and difficult to understand; and – anyway – How can Shakespeare still be relevant over 400 years since the Bard’s death?

   The thing is… Shakespeare’s works are timeless. 

   And here’s why…

   Extraordinary storylines and themes

   Think about some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, such as Romeo and Juliet. A classic and tragic love story; or Macbeth – a good man consumed by ambition, ultimately leading to his downfall, and a story of good conquering evil. 

   Shakespeare’s plays have formed a template for countless books, movies and television dramas that have been produced over the years.

   Shakespeare’s works have strong themes that run through each play. Again, these themes are still relevant today – love, death, ambition, power, fate, just to name a few.

   So, Shakespeare’s plays are timeless and universal. This also makes them completely relatable to a contemporary audience. Ultimately, these are stories about life and human nature. This is why adaptations, such as Baz Luhrmann’s blockbuster Romeo and Juliet, starring Leonardo Di Caprio, and set in a futuristic Los Angeles but using the original Shakespearean language, have been so successful.

   Another example is Macbeth on the Estate, set on a modern council estate in Ladywood, Birmingham with Macbeth and Duncan cast as drug dealers. 

   Shakespeare’s themes and ideas are not confined to the 16^th century. They are every bit as relevant in 2023, and beyond.

   Powerful characters

   We all love stories. Not everyone likes reading but everybody loves a story. Fact.

   Whether it’s cartoons, books, films, Netflix dramas, or reality TV shows, it’s what happens to people – the characters – that really holds our interest.

   Shakespeare’s characters are some of the most powerful to be created in the history of storytelling.

   The characters that Shakespeare created are so full of depth. Shakespeare had an incredible way of exploring his characters and portraying their emotions.

   Shakespeare created heroes and villains; complex and flawed characters; and individuals we love and those we love to hate.

   From murderers and traitors to lovers and dreamers, Shakespeare’s characters are full of everything imaginable and more. And there really is something for everyone.

   

   Why do we still study Shakespeare? Stunning quotes and wordplay

   Shakespeare’s influence on the language we speak is undeniable. Think of all the sayings that have become part of everyday life: ‘cruel to be kind’, ‘hoodwinked’, ‘in a pickle’ – they all come from the Bard. In fact, it’s likely that we cite Shakespeare virtually every day without even realising it.

   Then look at some of the most famous quotes from Shakespeare’s characters.

   Is there a better way to sum up life than: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.”?

   And is there a more effective way of showing how, ultimately, we are all the same – regardless of our colour, creed, or religion than these lines from The Merchant of Venice? “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”

   And, just how insightful is this from A Midsummer Night’s Dream? 

   “The course of true love never did run smooth.”

   Shakespeare was wise, worldly, and wonderful.

   And that’s why we still study Shakespeare!
   If you are struggling with the Shakespeare component of GCSE English Literature – or any other part of the course – a private tutor could be the perfect solution! Get in touch to find out more.

10. What is the Difference Between Combined and Triple Science GCSE?

    3 March 2023 3:20 pm Leave a Comment

    When it comes to GCSE Science, secondary school students across the UK are faced with a tricky dilemma. They might not realise it, as a lot of schools make the choice for you, but they have been earmarked for sitting either the ‘Combined’ or ‘Triple’ course (and on rare occasions even a single science option) – often before they are even in Year 10. So, what is the difference between combined science and triple science? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that unlike the content delivered in both, understanding the key differences is a piece of cake!

    It’s All In The Name

    Essentially, the ‘Combined’ science GCSE course is worth 2 GCSEs and covers all three sciences – that’s Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students who study the Combined course can be entered for either Foundation or Higher. ‘Separate’ Sciences – also known as ‘Triple’ – also cover all three disciplines, but the critical differential here is that this course is worth a whopping 3 GCSEs, rather than 2. Most Triple students will take Higher but it’s worth noting that entrants can be put in for the Foundation equivalent… although this isn’t very common!

    But that isn’t the only difference. As you would expect, being worth an additional GCSE comes with its fair share of extra work – as you’ll soon see…

    A Case Study

    For example, both the AQA version of the Chemistry Combined and Triple courses have a module called “Organic Chemistry” (this is the study of Carbon-based molecules – “riveting”, I hear you say…) and whilst it may therefore appear that both courses have duplicate modules, it isn’t quite the case.

    There are certainly similarities between the modules on both courses, but if you scan through the exam specifications for both and compare, you’ll find that whilst Combined learners need to learn about groups of molecules called ‘Alkanes’ and ‘Alkenes’, Triple students need to understand these as well as ‘Carboxylic Acids’, ‘Esters’ and ‘Alcohols’ (and no, the practical involved for this lesson does not involve chugging back some of the local pub’s inventory).

    

    Which Course Is Right For Me?

    Unfortunately, there is no set answer. However, there are some things to consider if you do get the option of deciding which course to take (or if you wish to go against the school’s advice and campaign to switch courses). 

    Firstly, it’s important to think about it from a practical standpoint. What would an extra GCSE in Science mean to you? Is it a case of vanity or pride making you want to have more GCSEs than your peers? Just think – your GCSE grades unlock the doors towards your chosen Post-16 courses. And whilst it’s fantastic to want to push ourselves, it’s important that we don’t bite off more than we can chew if it’s going to be too much of a struggle.

    Secondly, are you looking to take Science at A-Level? If you are, then this is a solid argument for wanting to select the Triple option. As previously discussed, the Triple Science course delves into more detail and teaches you little nuggets that the Combined simply won’t cover. If you went into your A-Level class as one of only a handful who had taken the Combined option, you may find yourself playing catch-up before the course has even begun!

    And lastly – and this is certainly worth considering – do you enjoy Science? If you do, then it makes sense to want to learn more about something you are naturally passionate about. But if you don’t, then trust us, doing extra work towards something you aren’t particularly fond of will certainly feel like a drain in the long run.

    Now you know the answer to ‘what is the difference between combined science and triple science?’. What Next?

    The advice is simple – if you’re still unsure which route to go down, speak with the Science teachers at school. They’ll be best placed to advise you as an individual since they have data and first-hand experience to back up their suggestions.

    If you want a second opinion, a general chat to answer any pressing questions about what’s been covered here, or if you’d like a bit of extra support with studying Science at GCSE – please feel free to get in touch and the team at TutorRight will be more than happy to help!