Dual Award Science

The changes in science

In September 2006 the new GCSE Science specifications came into force.  These are designed to build on the science taught in the first three Years (Key Stage 3) and have continuity with the GCSEs taught at the present.  In brief, the changes involve an emphasis on 'how science works' and changes to the manner in which practical skills are examined.

Courses in Science and Additional Science are designed to be a firm foundation for the further study of the sciences Biology, Chemistry and Physics at AS and thence A-level.

 

What will be taught?

 

Science

Biology         

Human biology        

Biology and environment

Evolution

Humans in environment

Chemistry

Chemical from the earth

Metals and their extraction

Materials from oil

Atmospheric chemistry

Physics

Energy and electricity

Light and the spectrum

Radioactivity

The universe

Additional Science

Biology         

Cell behaviour

Management of waste

Homeostasis

Inheritance

Chemistry

Atoms and matter

Chemical calculations

Energy in reactions

Electrolysis

Physics

Forces and motion

Electricity

Further radioactivity

Fission and fusion

 

How will it be taught?

Pupils will be taught the two science GCSEs in eight periods a week shared between Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  Normally this will involve two science teachers who will split the course into the three separate subjects.

 

How will they be examined?

At the end of the Fourth Year it is anticipated that the students will take Science GCSE, which involves papers in Biology, Chemistry and Physics as well as a practical mark derived from practical work that is done within lesson time in one of the subject areas.  Each of these components contributes 25% to the final mark.

In the Fifth Year this work is extended to cover the Additional Science syllabus and the examination for this GCSE involves the same mixture of Biology, Chemistry and Physics and practical work.

The examinations for this subject are taken at the end of the Fifth Year and there will also be an opportunity to retake the Science GCSE.