Science Department
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Key Stage 4
CORE & ADDITIONAL SCIENCE
Staff responsible: Mr P Cadmore
Introduction
Students will all study Core Science in Year 10 and gain a GCSE qualification at the end of Year 10.
The majority of students will then progress to Additional Science in Year 11 and gain a second GCSE.
Qualifications available:
By the end of Year 11 most students will have gained 2 separate GCSE passes:
GCSE Core Science
GCSE Additional Science
Course Content
The course is aimed to encourage students to:
- develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, science;
- develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods;
- acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of how science works and its role in society;
- acquire scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for further learning.
The course will require students to demonstrate the following abilities:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific facts and concepts
- Show understanding of how scientific evidence is collected
- Show understanding of how scientific knowledge and ideas change over time and how these changes are validated
- Apply concepts or draw conclusions related to familiar and unfamiliar situations
- Plan a scientific task, such as a practical procedure, testing an idea, or solving a problem
- Show understanding of how decisions about science and technology are made to different situations, including contemporary situations and those raising ethical issues
- Evaluate the impact of scientific developments or processes on communities or the environment
- Carry out practical tasks safely and skilfully
- Evaluate the methods they use when collecting first-hand and secondary data
- Analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data from different sources
- Consider the validity and reliability of data in presenting and justifying conclusions
How students will learn
The studies will involve combinations of practical and written work. Often students will work in groups for discussion and problem solving tasks but will sometimes be required to work on their own, especially when practical assessments are being carried out. ICT will be used to collect and evaluate data, and to model scientific concepts.
How students will be assessed
In Y10 students will follow the AQA GCSE Core Science. This course is modular and students will have 6 short exams during Year 10, which will be assessed by the exam board. They will be given a final GCSE grade at the end of Y10.
The Assessment Pattern for the Core GCSE course is continuous and consists of the following three components:
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75% 25%
|
Additional Information
Students following the course will be suitably prepared to continue their science studies at an Advanced level. However, students who have a special interest in Science, and would like to pursue their studies at an Advanced Level should consider the option of taking the Separate Sciences (see following page).
THE SEPARATE SCIENCES :
GCSE in BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS
Staff responsible: Mr P Cadmore
Introduction
Students with a special interest and ability in Science are invited to take our Science learning pathway so that the three disciplines of science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) are studied at a greater depth. The Core Science GCSE can be taken and enhanced by having extra lessons in Science so that a minimum of 3 Science GCSEs are obtained.
Qualifications available:
By the end of Year 11 students will have gained at least 3 separate GCSE passes:
GCSE Physics GCSE Chemistry GCSE Biology |
There is also the possibility of candidates simultaneously sitting the Core exam to gain 4 GCSEs.
Course Content
This course will allow students to gain 3 GCSE grades- in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. It is a modular course and extends the Core Science content to a deeper level of understanding. This course is only recommended for very able students who thoroughly enjoy Science.
How students will learn
The studies will involve a lot of practical and written work. Often students will work in groups for discussion and problem solving tasks but sometimes on their own, especially when practical assessments are being carried out. ICT will be used to collect and evaluate data, and to model scientific concepts.
Students will study the content of Core Science, but will also tackle extra material to extend their knowledge and understanding.
How students will be assessed
The courses extend over Y10 and Y11 and are modular in nature. There will be a mixture of short response and multiple choice exam papers. Students will have exams at various times over the two years and a practical based assignment that will be assessed internally.
|
Biology |
Chemistry |
Physics |
Modular tests in Y10 or Y11 |
25% |
25% |
25% |
Short Response tests in Y10 or Y11 |
50% |
50% |
50% |
Investigative Skills Assignment |
25% |
25% |
25% |
Additional Information
These GCSEs will provide students with a thorough knowledge understanding of Science and are aimed at challenging our most able students. This pathway is recommended for students who wish to pursue any discipline of Science at an Advanced Level in college.