Key Stage 4
This flow diagram explains what possible routes there are through Key Stage 4 available in Science. The students do pick their own route but instead a pathway is selected for them based on their attainment and ability.
In Year 9, after completion of end of Key Stage 3 examinations, which are no longer externally examined, the students begin studying for their GCSE in Science.
If the student is in top set then their KS3 SATs examination will be in January allowing them time to start their Triple GCSE course early in order to fit in all the required exams.
All other students will be completing their exams in April and will spend the rest of their time doing skills work in preparation for starting the KS4 course in Year 10.
An outline of each course and pathway is outlined below:
Year 10 or 11 Course: (AQA Syllabus, Core Science. Students will get one GCSE grade A*-G at the end of Year 10 or 11)
This course is designed for second set students in Year 10 and third set students in Year 11.
- Physics - Two sections (P1a and P1b)
- Chemistry - Two sections (C1a and C1b)
- Biology -Two sections (B1a and B1b)
Each section consists of approximately 15 topics. Students are expected to sit six exams by the end of Year 10. All these exams are multiple choice with 30 minutes to answer all questions. Higher Tier exam students are expected to get A*-C grades and Foundation Tier exam students are expected to get C-E grades. The tier is chosen by the student in the exam hall but the class teacher will suggest which topic would be most suitable for them based on a mock exam which will be taken about 2 weeks prior to the external exam.
Exam Details:
- 2 exams - November
- 2 exams - March
- 2 exams - June
At least three ISAs (one Physics, one Chemistry, one Biology - only the best result is used for their final mark). ISAs are a recent replacement for the traditional coursework. They consist of an introductory lesson, a practical lesson and then an exam which is done in class. It is very important that the students are present for these exams as they contribute a large amount to the final grade.
Each of the multiple choice exams contributes 12.5% towards the total mark of the Year 10 GCSE, with the ISAs contributing the remaining 25%.
Assessments: Internal end of topics tests, regular homeworks, ISAs and GCSE mock exams and final exams.
Year 10 Course: (EDCXEL Syllabus, BTEC. Students will get an equivalent to 2 GCSE grades A-C by the end of Year 10)
The course is entirely based on internal assessment and is designed for students who find science and exams more challenging. This will be the third sets in Year 10 and the fourth sets in Years 10 and 11. There are a total of 24 assessments completed in class and they complete all assessments to the required level they will achieve a level 2 BTEC. The topics assessed are a mixture of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There is no examination for this qualification but it is very important that the students are present for every assessment as failure to complete one will result in a fail for the year.
Year 10 & 11 Course (EDCXEL Syllabus, Triple Sciences. Students will get a GCSE in Biology, Chemistry and Physics over the two years)
Physics - Three sections (P1a, P1b, P2, P3 & ISA)
- Chemistry - Two sections (C1a, C1b, C2, C3 & ISA)
- Biology -Two sections (B1a, B1b, B2, B3 & ISA)
This is an extremely demanding course. The students will take an extra exam for each discipline. They will only get an extra 2 lessons a fortnight for this and therefore the course is only reserved for the gifted and dedicated students who will succeed.
They will cover the modules in a very limited time and attendance will be a significant contributor to success.
They, like all students, will do several ISAs, of which the best one for each discipline will be used to go forward to the final exam.
Homework will be frequent and time consuming as it will need to cover multiple topics.
Having been accepted on the course in year 9 it is by no means cemented that they will be allowed to continue with the course into Year 10 as they will need to show that they are committed to doing the extra required work.
Assessments: Internal end of topics tests, regular home works, ISAs and GCSE mock exams as well as the final exams.
Exam Details:
- 2 multiple choice exams - June Year 9
- 2 multiple choice exams - November Year 10
- 1 long answer exam - January Year 10
- 2 multiple choice exams - March 10
- 1 long answer exam - June Year 10
- 2 long answer exams - January Year 11
- 2 long answer exams - June Year 11
Year 11 Course: (AQA Syllabus, Additional Science. Students will get one GCSE grade A*-G by the end of Year 11)
- Physics - One exam (P2)
- Chemistry - One exam (C2)
- Biology - One exam (B2)
Students are expected to do three long answer exams: Biology, Chemistry and Physics, one will be taken in the January of Year 11and the remaining two with the rest of the summer exams. Each exam contributes 25% of the total mark and are added together with the ISA to give a separate grade for Year 11.
Higher Tier exam students are expected to get A*-C grades, and Foundation Tier students are expected to get C-G grades.
Three ISAs will be taken during the year. There will be several opportunities for the students to repeat these in order to try to gain the highest amount of marks.
Exam Details:
- 1 exam - January
- 2 exams - June
Assessments: Internal end of topics tests, regular homeworks, ISAs and GCSE mock exams as well as the final exams.
Year 11 Course: (EDCXEL Syllabus, BTEC Diploma. Students will get an equivalent to 2 GCSE grades A-C by the end of Year 11)
The course is entirely based on internal assessment. There are a total of 24 assessments completed in class and they complete all assessments to the required level they will achieve a level 2 BTEC. The topics assessed are a mixture of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There is no examination for this qualification. The Year 10 and 11 BTEC courses combine to give the pupils a BTEC Diploma.