WHAT DO STUDENTS LEARN IN SCIENCE IN KEY STAGE 4?

Science is a set of ideas about the material world. Students will study all parts of science including investigating, observing, experimenting and testing out  ideas and thinking about them. 

HOW WILL STUDENTS LEARN IN THIS COURSE? 

Practical work is at the heart of science. Students will be expected to carry out a  number of practical activities in each of the three specialisms. Students learn from a variety of sources in a variety of ways.

HOW DOES COMBINED SCIENCE DIFFER FROM SEPARATE SCIENCES?

Students who take separate science as an option gain 3 GCSEs whereas core combined science is 2 GCSEs.   The GCSE grades for separate sciences are not linked so students can achieve a different grade in each of the 3 subjects.  For combined science the grades are linked and students gain an overall grade from 9-9 to 1-1.

Separate science students study the same units as combined science students but with extra content in biology, chemistry and physics. There is an additional unit in physics called ‘Space’. 

The examinations for separate sciences are longer than combined science exams but both courses take 2 exams in biology, 2 in chemistry and 2 in physics.  

HOW ARE STUDENTS ASSESSED IN THIS COURSE? 

Students sit examinations at the end of Year 11 in biology, chemistry and physics.

WHAT IS THE LEARNING SEQUENCE?

WHAT QUALIFICATION IS GAINED FROM WHICH EXAM BOARD?

AQA Combined Science Award Science (2 GCSEs) or

AQA Biology GCSE, Chemistry GCSE and Physics GCSE  (3 GCSEs)

LINK TO EXAM BOARD SPECIFICATION

GCSE Biology: AQA | Science | GCSE | Biology

GCSE Chemistry: AQA | Science | GCSE | Chemistry

GCSE Physics: AQA | Science | GCSE | Physics

GCSE Combined Science: AQA | Science | GCSE | Combined Science: Trilogy

HOW IS IT GRADED? 

Graded 9-1, with 9 being the highest grade for biology, chemistry and physics GCSE.

Graded 9-9 to 1-1 for combined science GCSE 

Each examination has a foundation tier paper and higher tier paper. The foundation tier paper is limited to grades 1-5 and the higher tier paper is limited to grades U,4-9. Students are entered into the appropriate tier based on assessments undertaken in Year 11.

WHAT FURTHER EDUCATION AND/OR CAREERS CAN THIS QUALIFICATION LEAD TO? 

So many! 

Students doing well in Combined Science or Triple Science can progress onto A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics in our 6th form. Students can then progress onto studying many different courses at university.

Students who want to follow a vocational route might go onto college to study Applied Sciences.

The list of careers is endless but here are a few!