Aims of courses:
- To develop students’ understanding of the science around them that affects them in their everyday life
- To develop students’ questioning, analytical and evaluative approach to scientific problems and issues
- To develop students’ practical skills in science and an understanding of how science works
- To encourage enthusiasm about science leading to continued study.
Content & Structure:
Science is one of the core subjects of the National Curriculum. Topics from each of the three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) must be studied by all students in Key Stage 4. Most students will be entered for the Combined Science GCSE with some able to take the 3 Sciences as separate qualifications (GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics). This latter route is an option for students primarily in the top Science sets only and is based on teacher recommendation.
The Science courses on offer are:
GCSE Combined Science
This course is studied across 3 years and the basic principles of Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught.
GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics
GCSE qualifications in the Separate Sciences are offered for students considering further study in the sciences in consultation with their Science teachers. These qualifications cover the same material as the GCSE Combined Science with some extension units, which bridge the gap towards post-16 study.
Assessment:
Assessment is by 6 externally assessed examination papers 2 in each of the Sciences, at the end of the 3-year course. There is also a practical component that students complete, which will be examined in each paper.
For further information, contact Mr S Bennett.
