| Head of Department: | Mrs V Brown |
| Exam Board | AQA |
| Qualification: | A GCSE in each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics |
Programme of study
Students will study separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and therefore receive a GCSE for each of the three sciences.
In Biology, students will learn about a range of topics including the transport of substances in plants and animals and using micro-organisms to produce food and fuels.
In Chemistry, students will learn about topics including the development of the Periodic Table, what makes acids and alkalis acidic and alkaline and how to calculate the energy in various chemical reactions.
In Physics, students will learn about topics including how planets, moons and satellites remain in orbit and the effect prisms and lenses have on light.
How is the course structured & assessed?
Students will sit all their examinations in the June examination series at the end of Year 11. Students will sit six examinations at the end of Year 11.
Each examination contributes 50% of the final GCSE grades for each of the three separate science subjects. There will be:
two Biology papers leading to the Biology GCSE
two Chemistry papers leading to the Chemistry GCSE
two Physics papers leading to the Physics GCSE
Unlike the previous GCSE science courses, there will be no Individual Skills
Assignments (ISA – controlled assessment). Thus, students will complete practical assignments throughout the course and their understanding and application of these practicals will be assessed within the final GCSE examinations.
What can these qualifications lead to?
If you are opting for the separate sciences (Triple Science) you are likely to want to study two or more sciences at A-level in Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics for both sections in our Sixth Form. However, this does not preclude anyone with a keen interest and ability for the subject from choosing this pathway even if you are intending to study only one science at A-level in our Sixth Form.
