Science (GCSE Single Award)

KS4 Core Science:

All students will follow a Core Science course in which they study aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

At Rooks Heath we are following OCR’s Gateway Science Suite. This suite emphasises explanations, theories and modelling in science along with the implications of science for society. A strong emphasis is placed on the active involvement of students in the learning process and the courses encourage a wide range of teaching and learning activities.

Year 10 Science

Edexcel BTEC Core

Students are rewarded along the way for consistent hard work and demonstration of their knowledge, without the added pressure of exams at the end. A BTEC in Applied Science offers active learning in a vocational context and builds confidence, competence and motivation. BTECs are fully recognised as holding equivalences to GCSEs.

• The BTECs in Applied Science are recognised and respected by employers, professional institutions and higher education establishments alike. BTECs are closely attuned to the needs of the employers in the science marketplace. BTEC Level 2 Certificate offers a specialist qualification that focuses on particular aspects of employment within the appropriate vocational sector.

If students are directed to BTEC science they are not expected to choose science as a second option. By the end of year 10 most students should have completed the BTEC First Award. All students must complete this if they are to achieve the Extended Certificate. BTEC is equivalent to 1 GCSE.

Successful students may wish to do Science at Post 16 level and they can do BTEC National which is a level 3 qualification and can lead on to university.

Students have 5 lessons a fortnight and by the end of year 10 most should have the equivalent of 1 GCSE in science.

Studentswill continue with BTEC in year 11 and by the end may possibly achieve 4 GCSEs in science.

Edexcel BTEC

Level 2 Certificate: – 15 credits, (1 GCSE)

Level 2 Extended Certificate : – 30 credits, ( 2 GCSEs)

Level 2 Diploma - 60 credits – 4 GCSEs

Studentswill study the following units in year 10

• Chemistry and Our Earth
• Energy and Our Universe
• Biology and Our Environment

Assessment and grading

• to achieve a ‘pass’ a learner must have satisfied all the pass criteria
• to achieve a ‘merit’ a learner must additionally have satisfied all the merit criteria
• to achieve a ‘distinction’ a learner must additionally have satisfied all the distinction criteria

Science (Additional GCSE) (Option)

You can choose to do a Second GCSE in Science: Additional GCSE

If you choose Science (Additional GCSE), then you will be taught over 10 periods a fortnight. This course leads to additional science GCSE, the unit 3 of this GCSE will be taken in the January of year 10 and unit 4 will be taken at the end of year 10.

Exams

There are two tiers of entry:

• Higher tier – Grades A* to D
• Foundation tier – Grades C to G

You can be entered for different tiers in different GCSEs.

In each subject the assessment will be in three parts, which are weighted differently

1. Internal assessment worth 25%
2. External unit exam testing unit 3 modules – one each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics worth 35%
3. External unit exam testing unit 4 modules - one each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics worth 40%

Summary of content

• Module B3 Living and Growing
• Module B4: It’s a Green World
• Module C3: The Periodic Table
• Module C4: Chemical Economics
• Module P3: Forces for Transport
• Module P4: Radiation for Life

It is expected that the majority ofstudents will choose the Science Additional (GCSE) if they are continuing a post 16 education.

Science (3^rd GCSE) (2 options)

If you choose Science (3^rd GCSE) you will be taught by a total of three science teachers. Biology, Chemistry and Physics will be taught separately and you will be aiming to achieve three GCSEs at the end of year 11.

The content of the Triple Science course will be similar to that of the courses described under Science (2^nd GCSE) on the previous page, but in each subject there are extra modules.

This course leads to three GCSEs, one unit of each GCSE will be taken at the end of year 10 and 1 unit of each GCSE at the end of year 11.

If you are choosing 3 GCSEs in science then you have to start all 3 sciences in Year 10 and this will continue to Year 11. This will take up one option in both years.

Exams

There are two tiers of entry:

• Higher tier – Grades A* to D
• Foundation tier – Grades C to G

You can be entered for different tiers in different GCSEs.

In each subject the assessment will be in three parts, which are weighted differently.

1. Internal assessment worth 25%.
2. External unit exam testing year 10 modules – one each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics worth 35%.
3. External unit exam testing year 11 modules - one each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics worth 40%.

Summary of content