Triple Science

Biology                                                                         AQA              8461

Chemistry                                                                 AQA              8462 

Physics                                                                         AQA              8463

Why study Science?

Science is a compulsory National Curriculum subject because a good knowledge of Science is essential in our increasingly competitive world – whether or not you might go on to study Science after Key Stage 4.  Science helps students understand the world around them and this specification provides a broad and balanced coverage of scientific facts, theories and concepts, and shows how these are applied in the world about us.  We aim for students to enjoy and benefit from their study of Science.  

These courses are excellent preparation for any Science course at A level.

How is the course organised?

The specification conforms to the Programme of Study for Key Stage 4 of the National Curriculum Orders for Science.  It is taught in the three separate subject areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics - allowing students to distinguish between the different disciplines.  Each student has three teachers, as each subject is taught by a specialist in that field.  

The course leads to three GCSE qualifications:

Each subject aims to give an insight into Science in the 21st Century; how scientists work, how they solve problems and evaluate evidence and the implications of science in society.  As well as a substantial amount of factual knowledge, scientific processes, such as explaining, theorising and modelling, are important parts of GCSE Science.

What are the special features of the course?

Content:          This is delivered through the three subject areas: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.                        

ICT:                  Incorporated where relevant and is used to enhance the scientific concepts being taught.  

Entry Tiers:     There are two tiers of entry for each written paper:

Foundation            (target grades 5 to 1)

Higher                   (target grades 9 to 5) 

Students will be entered for the tier most appropriate to their standard of work; however, we expect most students to take the Higher Tier examinations.

Practical Endorsement:   Practical work is at the heart of science and students’ demonstration of their practical and investigative skills forms part of their assessment.

How are the Sciences assessed?

Each separate Science is assessed by means of two written examinations.  Each examination is worth 100 marks and constitutes 50% of the GCSE.  Each paper covers a different range of topics (see below) and contains a mixture of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions.

Biology Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; Bioenergetics; Homeostasis and response; Inheritance; variation and evolution; Ecology.

Chemistry Separating techniques and atomic structure; Periodic Table; Structure and bonding; Quantitative Chemistry; Chemical changes; Energy changes; The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic Chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; Using resources.

Physics Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; Atomic structure; Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; Space Physics.

All examinations are taken at the end of Year 11.

In addition to the written examinations, candidates receive a ‘practical endorsement’ from the School.  This requires each student to complete practical activities in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  These are undertaken as a normal part of the curriculum and represent only part of the experimental and investigative work that students will complete as part of their scientific education.  The practical endorsement is not graded and does not affect the final GCSE mark.  Students merely have to have demonstrated their practical competency in key areas over the duration of the GCSE course.

Other information

This specification offers students the opportunity to develop their scientific knowledge and understanding, as well as important skills which are relevant in any area of learning.  Technological applications and social, economic and environmental issues, together with citizenship, all have a place in the teaching of the specification.  Processes of science are also emphasised, together with the nature of scientific enquiry. Qualifications in GCSE Sciences are highly regarded whatever your future intentions.

How can I find out more?

See Mrs Nicholls (Head of Chemistry), Ms Sowah (Head of Biology), Mrs Brittain (Head of Physics) your Science teacher or the Science Subject Ambassadors. Have a look at the AQA website where you will find the specifications: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461   https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462  https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463