At Rooks Heath School, we follow the OCR Gateway Science specifications for GCSE, which provide an engaging and thorough introduction to the sciences. These courses are designed to inspire curiosity, develop scientific thinking, and prepare students for further education or careers in science. At the end of Year 10, students have the opportunity to move to a Separate Science pathway, enabling them to achieve 3 Science grades. 

Our science curriculum is spiral in nature as key concepts are revisited not only from year to year but also across the three disciplines, from topic to topic. This encourages reinforcement of previously learnt concepts from KS3, which promotes the retention of knowledge and skills.  

Students can study either:

• Combined Science (worth two GCSEs)

• Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, each worth one GCSE)

Course Overview:

The OCR Gateway curriculum balances theoretical knowledge with practical skills, covering key topics across:

• Biology: Cell biology, ecosystems, genetics, organism level systems and human health.

• Chemistry: Atomic structure, chemical reactions, organic chemistry, and environmental science.

• Physics: Forces, energy, waves and radioactivity, electricity and magnetism, and space science.

Students also conduct a series of practical experiments that develop essential investigative skills such as analysis, observation, and problem-solving. 

Regular internal assessments and personalised target setting help students to identify their next steps and make progress by developing exam techniques.

Students have topic pathways and progress trackers to support them along their learning journey and plan ahead for assessments. They also have glossaries to allow them to further develop their scientific literacy in and out of school.

GCSE Assessment:

The courses are assessed through written examinations at the end of Year 11. Combined Science involves six exams (two for each science), while Separate Sciences have two exams per subject. Each exam includes multiple-choice, structured, and extended-response questions.