KS4

What exam board do we use in science?

AQA (Trilogy)

What is the difference between combined (double award) and single (triple) sciences?

Combined science (double award) is worth two GCSEs. It is assessed by six, 1 hour 15 minute exams. All three sciences are covered but roughly only 2/3 of the content of the single sciences. Single sciences (triple) is assessed by six, 1 hour 45 minute exams and the students will achieve 3 GCSEs.

What is the difference between foundation and higher tiers of entry?

Foundation tier can be taken in both combined and triple - it allows students to achieve up to a level 5 whereas higher tier allows students to achieve up to a level 9. The benefits of the foundation tier however is that there is less content to understand and the questions are easier to access (the exam board use the term ‘lower demand questions’).

What do you look at when making decisions on tiers of entry?

We look at a student’s grades in both sets of year 11 mocks. We can also look at how the student performed in the higher demand questions versus the lower demand questions.

We may also speak with the subject teacher and student – if a student wants to study science at A-level for instance they would need to sit the higher tier entry for that subject.

For single sciences (triple) only, we can enter a student for mixed tiers of entry – so the student would take higher tier in one or more of the science subjects but foundation in the other subject.

When will tiers of entry decisions be made?

Getting students in the correct tier is crucial and we aim to keep the options open for all of our students for as long as possible. We look at the data from both sets of mocks to inform the tier of entry for students. Whilst we believe we have students in the right place now we can and do still make changes after the year 11 mocks in March.