Examination Board: AQA
Watch the video to the right to learn more about
the science curriculum at Key Stage 4.
Every one of us, whatever our chosen future career, has to be able to think scientifically, and to understand some science to enrich and make sense of our lives. Everyday people face decisions that hinge on science; such as whether to smoke, what to eat and where to put a new mobile telephone aerial. Even for decisions that don't depend on specific scientific facts, science remains the proven set of best methods for acquiring accurate information about the world and making decisions based on evidence.
All Warden Park students will have had a secure grounding in science during years 7 to 8, the same skills will be drawn on whatever aspect of science you study. Successful science students:
Look at evidence such as the results from an experiment and be able to describe and explain what is happening; use models effectively to help explain abstract ideas.
Carry out practical work methodically and safely.
Apply the skills they have learnt in mathematics to calculate scientific quantities, construct graphs and interpret data.
Take an interest in the world around them, enjoy finding out how things work or why things happen.
This course is compulsory for all students. Students who enjoy science and finding out about the world we live in can expect to be stretched and challenged in lessons. Students will be in new smaller mixed ability groups in Year 9 . New groups will be formed at the beginning of Year 10 based on attitude and achievement in Year 9.
Students aiming for Grade 3 and higher will be well supported with differentiated work in classes, structured to allow them to access some of the challenging concepts in the science specifications.
As students approach their examinations they can expect a comprehensive revision program with resources to fit their aspirational grade.
From September 2017, all students in Year 9 study GCSE science topics for 10 hours per fortnight, this will continue as they move through Years 10 and 11.
At the end of year 11 all students will sit six examinations, two papers each of biology, chemistry and physics. Some students will enter the exams for separate GCSEs in the three sciences, others will sit shorter papers that lead to the award of a double GCSE in combined science. Currently at Warden Park more students take ‘triple science’ than combined.
Students will be advised by their science teacher at the end of year nine as to whether they continue in years ten and eleven to work towards three separate GCSEs or continue to study science with a view to taking the combined science double award GCSE which is equivalent to two science GCSEs. The advantages and disadvantages of each route will be discussed in the summer term of year nine. Students should consider which route they might prefer during their science lessons in year 9 and remember that a good attitude to learning has the greatest effect on their GCSE outcomes in the future.
All Science GCSEs are available in foundation (Grades 1-5) and higher tier (Grades 5-9). No final decision about tier of entry will be made until January of year eleven. It is worth noting that the level of demand of foundation tier is greater than under the old grading system and as a result there are far more candidates sitting foundation tier than in the years prior to 2017.
GCSE Combined Science is the minimum compulsory science option for all students in England; students studying this qualification will be awarded two GCSEs. Students entered for separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (triple science) are awarded three GCSEs.
Biology content
Cell biology
Bioenergetics
Organisation
Homeostasis and response
Infection and response
Inheritance, variation and evolution
Ecology
Chemistry content
Atomic structure and the periodic table.
Chemical changes
Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
The rate and extent of chemical change
Energy changes
Organic chemistry
Quantitative chemistry
Chemical analysis
Using resources
Chemistry of the atmosphere
Physics content
Forces
Magnetism and electromagnetism
Energy
Particle model of matter
Waves
Atomic structure
Electricity
Space Physics
There will be two 1h 45 min papers in each science, with each counting 50% of the final GCSE grade. Within each science there are 8 experiments which are compulsory, the methods and outcomes of these experiments will be examined in the written papers.
There are six 1h 15min papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. There will be 16 compulsory practical experiments that all students will complete over the course.
Students are likely to require at least a Grade 6 or 7 in science(s) in order to study any A-level science courses. Other courses such as BTEC in Applied Science are also available. Science qualifications are desirable in a diverse list of careers from Accountancy to Zoology.