We follow the AQA GCSE Science specifications and our students study either Combined Science: Trilogy and obtain two GCSEs (which still covers topics from Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or they study the three separate science GCSEs. At KS4, the AQA specification is both broad and deep, allowing students to make sense of the scientific world around them. Both the double award GCSE and the 3 separate science GCSEs provide the knowledge and skills for studying science at A-level and beyond. Students will continue to learn a wide range of skills from their education in the science department. These include risk assessment, planning, evaluation and consolidation of many of the key mathematical skills including displaying data and working with equations.
After completing science GCSE, our students move into a whole range of careers and further study, including A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Qualifications in science are highly desirable to both universities and employers. A-levels in science will offer opportunities to pursue degrees in subjects such as engineering, genetics, midwifery, medicine, pharmacy, pharmacology, sports science, nutrition science and forensic science. Students may choose to apply their practical skills and take part in one of a large variety of apprenticeships, which include engineering, environmental sciences and healthcare.
Homework: Students will be set homework each week which is designed to support content covered in class as well as revising key content. Homework will be a mix of work set on online platforms such as Sparx science, as well as paper based exam questions.
Assessment: Students are assessed through the completion of end of topic assessments. In addition, students complete mid-year and end of year assessments.
Year 10: mid-year assessment will be an AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 1, end of year assessment will consist of 3 exams: AQA GCSE Biology Paper 1, AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 and AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1. The content assessed will have been taught across year 9 and year 10.
Year 11: November mock exams: AQA GCSE Biology Paper 1, AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 and AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1, March mock exams: AQA GCSE Biology Paper 2, AQA GCSE Chemistry Paper 2 and AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2. The content assessed will have been taught across year 9, 10 and 11.