The science qualification is now linear. This means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course in Year 11. For combined science, there are six 1 hour 15 minute exams with two papers per scientific discipline. Specialist teachers will teach each of the three sciences, biology, chemistry and physics.

The combined science GCSE covers all aspects of a good science education: planning investigative

work, evaluating evidence and the implications of science for society. This course therefore provides the opportunity for all students to develop their science knowledge, understanding and their skills needed for adult life, as well as giving a good basis for further study of science.

For our more-able science students, we also offer separate science GCSEs.

These students have extra curriculum time and work towards obtaining three GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics. For each science, there will be a total of three and a half hours of examinations, all taken at the end of the course in Year 11.

This would particularly suit those already wanting to progress and do A levels in sciences, since it provides a more rigorous, more detailed grounding than the combined science course.