GCSE
GCSE Specification and Curriculum Overview
All students will study GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics in Years 9 to 11. This option can be thought as analogous to studying the ‘separate sciences’ and students will either obtain three GCSEs, one in each science or two GCSEs in Combined Science (with all three subjects being assessed). Students will study in mixed ability teaching groups. In the Separate Sciences (3 GCSEs) students will study extension material in each of the three Sciences in Year 11. This material extends the depth and breadth of the subject and provides an additional challenge to those with an interest and ability in Science. This is the usual route for students who are considering studying Sciences in the 6th Form. In the Combined Science course (2 GCSEs) students continue to study all three Sciences in Year 11, but with a reduced content. Although this route will not prevent students from studying Science in the 6th Form, most students following this route will not be considering taking the Sciences further than GCSE.
Details of the teaching of the Chemistry course can be found here.
Time, Equipment and Expenses
Students will be expected to do a minimum of 1.5 hours of homework per science subject per week. Homework will range from extended projects, which will run over a number of weeks, to completion of practical write ups and answering of exam style questions within a one-week time frame. Students will be provided with access to an electronic textbook for each science subject. At the start of Year 9 students will be offered the opportunity to purchase a revision guide for each science subject, which they can use to support their studies throughout the GCSE course. Students will also require a calculator. The calculator purchased for the Maths GCSE course can be used.
For more information speak to Ms Shah, Head of Chemistry.
Helpful Resources:
Edexcel chemistry syllabus:
Revision bundle:
For notes, revision summaries, topic questions:
https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/gcse/chemistry/edexcel/18/
https://www.kayscience.com/admin/login
Video links to key concepts in chemistry:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEAfyyXlRUtxKdI5erwkaO7B3qEc9nYgs
Video links and other resources for the core practical in chemistry GCSE:
Short videos of the core practical:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJl5rFr3KefB0hZl0iqstK369pcP5WhiF
Electronic PDF revision guide: (contains majority of the content covered at GCSE)
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Summer prep work
Year 9: Revise over ionic, covalent, giant covalent and metallic bonding.
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Year 10
Combined science chemistry prep work
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Year 10
Separate science chemistry prep work
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