Science Page

SCIENCE

Pupils will have the opportunity to either study Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate sciences (3 GCSEs) or the Double Award Combined Science (2 GCSEs). Pupils will start their GCSE studies in Form 3 (Year 9) and then sit their exams at the end of Form 5 (Year 11).

Pupils entered for the Combined Science GCSE will sit a total of six 70 minute exams (two per subject). Pupils who are entered for the three separate science GCSEs will sit six 105 minute exams (two per subject). There is no coursework, but the courses contain 16 core practicals that pupils are required to complete; knowledge of these and their methods will form part of the final exams. The majority of pupils will follow the Combined Science route, which offers the chance to study all three sciences and build a solid understanding of the world around them. The course is designed to cover a range of topical issues while also deepening their overall understanding of Science. The separate sciences route is identical to the Combined Science but has additional material and goes into greater detail. Both routes rely on sound literacy and numeracy skills.

Through studying Science, pupils will gain problem solving, analytical and evaluative skills which are transferable to a range of A-Levels, apprenticeships and professions. Either route, (the three separate sciences or Combined Science) will enable you to progress to study any of the sciences at A-Level.  Exam Board – Edexcel

Course Content:

Biology

Ī Cells and control Ī Genetics Ī Natural selection and genetic modification Ī Health, disease and the development of medicines Ī Plant structure and their functions Ī Animal coordination, control and homeostasis Ī Exchange and transport in animals Ī Ecosystems and material cycles

Chemistry

Ī States of matter Ī Methods of separating and purifying substances Ī Atomic structure Ī The periodic table Ī Ionic and covalent bonding Ī Acids and alkalis Ī Calculations involving mass Ī Electrolytic processes Ī Obtaining and using metals Ī Reversible reactions and equilibria Ī Fuels, earth and atmospheric science

Physics

Ī Motion

Ī Forces

Ī Conservation of energy Ī Waves

Ī Light and the electromagnetic spectrum Ī Radioactivity Ī Energy - forces doing work Ī Forces and their effects

Ī Electricity and circuits Ī Magnetism and the motor effect Ī Electromagnetic induction Ī Particle model

Ī Forces and matter The course content above is indicative but the topics studied may vary slightly.

The demand (difficulty) of questioning will increase both within questions and also across the papers as it encourages students of all abilities to engage with each part of the paper and persevere through the exam.