Head of Department: Mr Parry
Two Year GCSE Course : AQA Modular Syllabus
The structure of the course allows most students to study for two separate GCSE qualifications in Science. These are ‘core science’ and ‘additional science’ which are both studies across the two years of Key Stage 4.
The core science consists of studying ‘how science works’ and content from the following topics:
- Human biology
- Biology and environment
- Products from rocks
- Oils, earth and atmosphere
- Energy and electricity
- Radiation and the universe
The examinations are sat having just studied the module (early December, early March and late June in each of the years) and are thirty minute multiple choice type questions.
Together they make up 75% of the final single GCSE grade. The final 25% comes from experimental work and a forty five minute exam sat in class.
Additional science also studies ‘how science works’ topic and content on:
- Cells, plants and animals
- Atoms, substances and reactions
- Forces, electricity and radiation
The examinations are three forty five minute short answer papers making 75% of the final additional GCSE grade with the final 25% from experimental work and a forty five minute exam sat in class.
We also offer the BTEC First Certificate in Applied Science to students in Year 11.
Separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
This course is built up from the previous two GCSEs with further examination papers to examine the in-depth content.
Biology GCSE builds upon work already studied with another forty five minute short answer exam on moving substances, homeostasis and micro-organisms.
Chemistry GCSE builds upon work already studied with another forty-five minute short answer exam on elements, reactions, acids and substance analysis.
Physics GCSE builds upon work already studied with another forty five minute short answer exam on circular motion, electricity generation, light, sound and stars.
Again, building on what has been studied before, a third forty five minute exam based on experimental work will also be sat making a total, again, of 75% examination marked by the awarding body, AQA, and 25% teacher assessed practical work.
Both two and three GCSE courses are suitable for further study of the Sciences at Advanced Level though the thorough grounding achieved in studying the separate sciences is excellent preparation.
