Science

Combined science: At the end of this course the students will have gained 2 GCSEs in Science. Currently pupils follow the AQA Synergy course which aims to study science in a holistic way, therefore learning across all three strands: Biology, Chemistry and Physics in units such as “Building Blocks” or “Explaining Change”.

The students will have an average of four and a half hours of science a week in order to cover the content required for two GCSE.

This course follows along similar themes to that of Key Stage 3, but the depth to which each topic is studied is much deeper. For example, forces is now split into “forces and motion” as well as “forces and energy”.

New topics are also introduced at Key Stage 4. For example, students will now look at radiation and how it is used to our benefit, but they will also look at the hazards associated with it. They will relate what they learn in the Science lab to real life situations such as the Chernobyl nuclear radiation accident that took place in 1986.

Students who obtain two grade 5s for GCSEs Combined Science can go on to take BTEC Applied Science at Key Stage 5.

The examination board is: AQA

Separate Science: At the end of this course the students will have gained 3 GCSEs in Science: GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics.

The students will have on average 7 hours of science a week in order to cover the content required for each GCSE.

This is an in-depth course, aimed at bridging the gap between GCSE and the first year of A level Sciences.

The topics covered are similar to those covered in Combined Science, but this course involves a more detailed analysis of certain themes. For example, all students within Science will be expected to explain how the eye allows us to observe images. However, the students who have taken the Separate Science route, will be expected to know the different parts of the eye, and the role each part takes in forming an image.

This is the recommend course to take if a student wishes to go on to take A level Sciences at Key Stage 5.

The examination board is: AQA