GCSE SCIENCE

Science is for Life.

Every pupil studies science in order to develop the knowledge and understanding of science relevant to our scientific and technological society.

Science at GCSE level involves the study of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and also other scientific areas such as space and the environment.

As a year 9 pupil the choice you have to make is between Science and Additional Science and Separate Sciences. The level of difficulty is the same for both specifications. The difference between the two schemes is the amount of time spent studying the science subjects, the number of topics covered and hence the number of GCSE awards.

Science/Additional Science candidates spend 20% of the timetable on science. The lessons are taught by the specialist teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Science/Additional Science candidates receive two

Science/Additional Science candidates spend 20% of the timetable on science. The lessons are taught by the specialist teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Science/Additional Science candidates receive two grades when they pass GCSE examinations, one in GCSE Science, the other in GCSE Additional Science.

Separate science candidates spend 30% of the timetable studying science. The lessons are taught by the specialist teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Separate Science candidates receive three separate grades upon passing GCSE examinations, one in each of the subject areas. The additional time spent within the separate sciences allow a broader knowledge of science to be gained.

Pupils quite often opt for Separate Sciences because they enjoy science or because they wish to follow a career in science or a science related profession.

Pupils who opt to study Science/Additional Science Science choose to do so because they wish to use their additional time to study a wider range of other subjects eg two foreign languages. The choice is yours but seek advice from your science teachers, parents and career advisors.

At the end of Year 10 Science/Additional Science students will have obtained one GCSE in Science and by the end of Year 11 a second GCSE in Additional Science.

Separate Science students sit exams at the end of Year 10 and Year 11 but are only awarded a GCSE in each Science at the end of Year 11.

The chosen examination board and specification which best meets the needs of our students is the Gateway Science suite from OCR. It builds on and extends our successes with the OCR board whilst providing stimulating and motivating subject content set in everyday contexts.

In full, the suite consists of 18 units or modules, 6 in each subject area. The first two in each subject area make up the GCSE Science qualification. The first four in each subject area make up the GCSE Additional Science qualification. All six in each subject area make up the GCSE Separate Science qualifications.

There will be internal assessment worth 33% of the final grade. For GCSE Science and each of the separate subjects the internal assessment takes the format of 8 ‘can do’ practical tasks plus a short report on ‘Science in the News’. For GCSE Additional Science the internal assessment takes the format of a research study, a data-handling task, and an assessment of practical skills.

The units of study are outlined below.

GCSE Science

B1 – Understanding Ourselves

B2 – Understanding Our Environment

C1 – Carbon Chemistry

C2 – Rocks and Minerals

P1 – Energy for the Home

P2 - Living for the Future

GCSE Additional Science: All of the above plus:

B3 – Living and Growing

B4 – It’s a Green World

C3 – Periodic Table

C4 – Chemical Economics

P3 – Forces for Transport

P4 - Radiation for Life

GCSE Separate Sciences: All of the above plus:

B5 – The Living Body

B6 – Beyond the Microscope

C5 – How much?

C6 – Chemistry Out There

P5 – Space for Reflection

P6 – Electricity for Gadgets

A detailed breakdown of the contents of each unit studied can be found at www.ocr.org.uk

Assessment

The Science and Additional Science courses are modular with examinations at the end of Year 10 and another in year 11. The examination is a combined Chemistry, Biology and Physics exam paper.

In Year 10 for GCSE Science there is an internal assessment section of “can-do” tasks and a report on Science in the News worth 33 1/3% of the course.

In Year 11 for GCSE Additional Science, the internal assessment unit is a Research Study, Data Task and Practical Skills also worth 33 1/3%.

Separate Science GCSE grades are awarded independently of each other at the end of Year 11. Examinations are taken at the end of years 10 and 11 and coursework is completed within the two year period. The coursework comprises internal assessment involving “can-do” tasks and a report on Science in the News. The coursework makes up 33 1/3% of the mark carried forward for the GCSE in each Science subject

Homework

Students will be asked to complete homework after every lesson and should be completed in approximately 30 minutes. Homework can take many forms:

Core Subjects