Science is one of the core subjects of the National Curriculum and therefore it is compulsory to Year 11.
At GCSE, our students study science from the AQA suite of GCSE qualifications. Students will either follow the programme of study towards:
- GCSE Combined Science – Trilogy
- Or GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics
An overview of the topics in the courses is shown below:
| Biology 1. Cell biology 2. Organisation 3. Infection and response 4. Bioenergetics 5. Homeostasis and response 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution 7. Ecology | Chemistry 8. Atomic structure and the periodic table 9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 10. Quantitative chemistry 11. Chemical changes 12. Energy changes 13. The rate and extent of chemical change 14. Organic chemistry 15. Chemical analysis 16. Chemistry of the atmosphere 17. Using resources | Physics 18. Energy 19. Electricity 20. Particle model of matter 21. Atomic structure 22. Forces 23. Waves 24. Magnetism and electromagnetism Students that are sitting GCSE Physics will also study 25. Space |
There are 6 papers sat at the end of the course in Y11 – 2 Biology, 2 Chemistry and 2 Physics papers; the length of the paper varies, dependent on the specification being followed. The student will sit either Foundation or Higher tier papers.
15% of the marks available on the papers are related to Required Practical Activities, so there is an emphasis placed on experiments and investigative skills throughout the course.
Lessons feature regular opportunities to develop and practise exam technique to prepare to independently answer the more challenging AO2 Application and AO3 Evaluation questions.
Links to specifications:
GSCE Combined Science – Trilogy https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/science/specifications/AQA-8464-SP-2016.PDF
GCSE Biology https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/biology/specifications/AQA-8461-SP-2016.PDF
GCSE Chemistry https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/chemistry/specifications/AQA-8462-SP-2016.PDF
GCSE Physics https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/physics/specifications/AQA-8463-SP-2016.PDF
Career Possibilities….
Your (options with Science) are unlimited
Using science as a grounding to follow a career, options are numerous and involve both research and hands-on roles. For instance….
Health & Medicine, teaching, research, forensics, psychology, sports science, conservation, pharmacology, veterinary surgeon, design, biotechnology, dentistry, agriculture geology, archaeology, astronomy, energy supply and technology engineering (computer, aerospace, electronic, communications).
