Science - Separate Science

Overview

OCR Gateway Separate Science provides students with a deeper and more detailed study of Biology, Chemistry and Physics than the Combined Science course. Students develop scientific knowledge, practical skills and analytical thinking, preparing them for further study at Post 16 and a wide range of STEM-related careers.

Curriculum Intent

Develop secure understanding of advanced scientific concepts across Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Build practical investigation skills and understanding of scientific enquiry

Develop scientific literacy and accurate use of technical vocabulary

Encourage curiosity, resilience and analytical thinking

Enable students to apply knowledge to unfamiliar contexts and real-world problems

Prepare students for progression to Post 16 sciences

Curriculum Implementation

Teaching approach

Teaching builds on Combined Science foundations and extends learning through separate science content

Explicit links made between Biology, Chemistry and Physics concepts

Regular retrieval practice and spaced revision to support long-term retention

Integration of practical activities and exam-style questioning

Development of scientific literacy through reading, writing and discussion activities

Sequencing of learning

Students establish a broad foundation through Key Stage 3 and Combined Science content

Separate Science extends understanding through additional subject-specific content

Year 10 develops core knowledge across all three sciences

Year 11 focuses on the additional Separate Science content and exam preparation

Working scientifically skills are embedded throughout the curriculum

Assessment

Six written examination papers at the end of Year 11 – two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics papers

Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes and worth 90 marks

Each science is graded separately and awarded as an individual GCSE

Practical skills assessed as part of the written examinations

Ongoing formative assessment, half-termly assessments and mock examinations

Regular retrieval, literacy and exam technique activities support progress

Curriculum Impact

Success is measured through:

Strong retention and application of scientific knowledge

Development of practical and analytical skills

Improved scientific literacy and confidence in extended responses

Successful progression to A Level and AAQ sciences and STEM pathways

High levels of engagement, curiosity and academic resilience

Curriculum Structure

Key Stage 4

Year

Topics / Units

Key Knowledge & Skills

Organism level systems, Community level systems, Genes, inheritance and selection

Purity and separating mixtures, Bonding and properties of materials, Chemical reactions, Energetics, Electrolysis, Controlling chemical reactions, Equilibria

Motion, Newton’s Laws, Forces, Electricity and magnetism, Waves and radioactivity

Practical skills embedded throughout

Students develop the core scientific skills required to investigate, explain and evaluate scientific phenomena. Through practical investigations, data analysis and mathematical application, students learn to identify patterns, draw evidence-based conclusions and communicate scientific ideas accurately using specialist terminology. They develop confidence in selecting and applying knowledge across Biology, Chemistry and Physics whilst strengthening their scientific literacy and problem-solving skills.

Nervous system, Homeostasis, Biomass and decomposers, Genetics and evolution, Global challenges in biology

Transition metals, Identifying the products of chemical reactions, Monitoring chemical reactions, Global challenges in chemistry

Pressure, Forces and simple machines, Uses of magnetism, Sound and imaging, Lenses and colour, Uses and hazards of radioactivity, Energy, Global challenges in physics

Students refine their ability to evaluate evidence, analyse complex data and apply scientific knowledge to unfamiliar contexts. They develop greater independence in practical work, demonstrate confidence in extended scientific reasoning and use scientific information critically to construct well-supported explanations and judgements. Students further strengthen their scientific literacy, mathematical skills and readiness for advanced study in the sciences.

Textbooks:

OCR Gateway GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics – Oxford University Press

Digital Kerboodle textbooks and resources are available to all students

Useful Websites: