Curriculum
Combined Science
GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) is the basic all-round science course suitable for all abilities and learning styles. It covers all of the core concepts needed for an understanding of science in the real world and is the course choice for those who want to keep their options open. This GCSE Science option is taken by the majority of students. It builds on the Key Stage 3 curriculum and covers the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Science at Key Stage 4. It encourages students to explore, explain, theorise and model in science and develops a critical approach to scientific evidence.
Separate Sciences
GCSE Triple Award Science covers the separate GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics content. Our route ensures a thorough and in-depth preparation for further study into any area of Science at Post 16
The course is academically demanding and a certain level of scientific attainment and independent learning is essential.
WHAT IS COVERED IN
Aspects of Science are covered within the L4L curriculum.
Year 7 L4L Themes:
- Journey to the Centre of the Earth
- iRobot
- Water
- Silent Movies
Year 7 are taught 6 Big Ideas over the year that cover various aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics with a focus practical and working scientifically skills. After an initial Introduction to Science students will cover topics such as Forces 1, Matter 1, Organisms 1, Electromagnets 1, Reactions 1 and Genes 1. Just like in L4L students will be assessed using competencies. The Scientific competencies assess students ability to communicate Scientific ideas, experimental skills, students ability to present and analyse evidence and maths skills.
Aspects of Science are covered within the L4L curriculum.
Year 8 L4L Themes:
- Pudding Lane
- Grand Designs
- Da Vinci
Year 8 students continue with the Big Ideas scheme of work. In year 8 students will cover topics such as Waves 1, Energy 1, Ecosystems 1, Matter 2, Forces 2, Electromagnets 2 and Organisms 2.
Year 9 students continue with the Big Ideas scheme of work. In year 9 students will cover topics such as Reactions 2, Ecosystems 2, Genes 2, Earth 2, Energy 2 and Waves 2. Throughout the year students will also complete 3 in depth investigations which aim to piece together the skills they have developed throughout their KS3 experience.
To give our students the chance to fully master the KS3 curriculum before their GCSEs begin in Y10 we have created additional topics that recap the more challenging content that KS3 has to offer. These topics include: Organisms 3, Genes 3, Reactions 3, Matter 3, Forces 3 and Electromagnets 3.
Combined Science
All Combined Science students will begin working towards their GCSEs in Science. Throughout the year they will rotate through Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics with an emphasis on developing investigative skills throughout the course.
Biology topics covered in Year 10 include Cell Biology, Photosynthesis, Moving and Changing, Health Matters and Coordination and Control.
Chemistry topics covered in Year 10 include Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table, Structure and Bonding, Chemical Quantities and Calculations, Chemical Changes and the Rate and Extent of Chemical Change.
Physics topics covered in Year 10 include Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Structure (Radiation) and Forces.
Triple Science
A small number of students will be invited to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate Sciences. This will depend on students’ ability, prior attainment and their interest in pursuing Science to an advanced level in Sixth Form and beyond.
Throughout Y10 students will be taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics with an emphasis on developing investigative skills throughout the course.
Biology topics covered in Year 10 include Cell Biology, Photosynthesis, Moving and Changing, Health Matters, Coordination and Control and Genetics.
Chemistry topics covered in Year 10 include Atomic structure and the periodic table, Structure and Bonding, Chemical Quantities and Calculations, Chemical Changes, Energy Changes and The Rate and Extend of Chemical Change.
Physics topics covered in Year 10 include Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Structure (Radiation) and Forces.
Combined Science
All students continue working towards their GCSEs in Science. Throughout the year they will rotate through Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics with an emphasis on developing investigative skills throughout the course.
Biology topics covered in Year 11 include Genetics, Variation and Evolution and Ecology. Students will then recap previous topics with their subject specialist teachers in preparation for the end of year exams.
Chemistry topics covered in Year 11 include Energy Changes, Hydrocarbons, Chemical analysis, Atmosphere and Sustainable Development. Students will then recap previous topics with their subject specialist teachers in preparation for the end of year exams.
Physics topics covered in Year 11 include Waves and Electromagnetism. Students will then recap previous topics with their subject specialist teachers in preparation for the end of year exams.
Triple Science
All students continue working towards their GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Biology topics covered in Y11 include Genetics, Variation and Evolution and Ecology in Action. Students will then recap previous topics with their subject specialist teachers in preparation for the end of year exams.
Chemistry topics covered in Y11 include Hydrocarbons, Chemical Analysis, Atmosphere and Sustainable Development. Students will then recap previous topics with their subject specialist teachers in preparation for the end of year exams.
Physics topics covered in Y11 include Waves, Electromagnetism and Space. Students will then recap previous topics with their subject specialist teachers in preparation for the end of year exams.
KS4 COURSE
WHAT CAN SCIENCE LEAD TO?
(Combined Science) GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) gives you a good grounding in Science. Success in Combined Science can provide access to A-Level Science courses, including Applied Science, Applied and Human Biology and Psychology. In the long term, if you decide to pursue your scientific studies, it can lead to an almost limitless number of job opportunities. Highly qualified scientists are very much in demand and their skills are required in many jobs.
(Separate Sciences) Provided the required grades are attained at the end of the course, GCSE Triple Award Science provides a basis for studying A-level Science courses; as a general rule a GCSE grade 6 is required.
Students who achieve Grade 5 will be offered the opportunity to study our BTEC (Level 3) qualifications Applied Science or Applied and Human Biology
Examples of careers that GCSE Triple Award Science may lead to are:
- Medical Sciences
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Pathology
- Forensic Sciences
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Research Science
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
(Combined Science) The Combined Science GCSE is examined by six 1 hour 15 min written examinations, each of which is worth 16.7%. There are two examinations on each subject – Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each examination paper will include multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response questions. There are 21 required practical’s that are delivered throughout the course. There will be questions relating to these practical’s on the written examination papers.
(Separate Sciences) GCSE Triple Award Science students will sit all of their Science exams at the end of Year 11. Students will receive separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and will be graded using the 9-1 system.
The three GCSE Sciences will be taught in a parallel way, offering a flexible solution to gaining the Science qualifications required for a variety of Post 16 Science courses.
There are no Controlled Assessments; instead there are required practicals that are completed throughout normal Key Stage 4 Science lessons and are then examined as a part of the examinations at the end of Year 11. Students will be regularly assessed throughout Key Stage Four; this information will be used by Science staff to inform progress in relation to Target Grades and also tier of entry.
WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED?
(Combined Science) Mathematics skills are now included in the assessment of all GCSE science qualifications. A minimum percentage of marks must be allocated to assessing mathematical skills at an appropriate level of difficulty, in line with new rules and guidance from the Department for Education.
Basic Practical skills developed in KS3 will be needed to complete a series of ‘required practicals’, which all students must complete over the duration of the course, and which are tested along with theoretical science content in the six examinations.
(Separate Sciences) Due to the demands of the course a student must have achieved level 6 consistently throughout Key Stage 3 Science.
Students must have also demonstrated a good academic ability within their KS3 Mathematics and English.
Students not fulfilling this criterion will be offered the choice of GCSE Double Award Combined Science.
Students will be expected to work independently and continually act upon the feedback of their classroom teacher in order to make the progress that is required of them. There is an expectation that students will complete all class and home work to the best of their ability as well as reading around the subject and attending Study Support in order to enhance their classroom experience.
Miss Fitzpatrick
Completed a BSc in Applied and Human Biology with Hons at Aston University. Has taught at Shireland Collegiate Academy since 2014 and led the Science department since 2017.
