Combined/Separate Sciences
Assistant Headteacher & Director of Science: Mr D Somers
Combined Science and the Separate Sciences form part of the English Baccalaureate qualification.
Combined Science (2 GCSEs)
Students will study combined science through the AQA Trilogy route. Units will be split into Chemistry, Biology and Physics. This specification encourages the development of knowledge and understanding in science through opportunities for working scientifically. There is no coursework, however, all students are expected to have carried out 21 required practical activities. In Year 10 & 11, Science is taught over 6 periods a week. All students in this route have the opportunity to gain two GCSEs from grades 9-1.
Biology
Cell Biology, Transport Systems, Health, Disease and Development of Medicines , Coordination and Control, Photosynthesis, Ecosystems, Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Chemistry
Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Structure, Bonding and the Properties of Matter
Chemical Changes
Energy Changes in Chemistry
The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change
Chemical Analysis
Chemical and Allied Industries
Earth and Atmospheric Science
Physics
Energy
Forces
Forces in Motion
Waves in Matter
Light and Electromagnetic Waves
Electricity
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Particle Model of Matter
Atomic Structure
This course delivers content covering topics from Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs.
Students who show a high level of interest and aptitude will be considered for the separate GCSEs.
As a result they will obtain individual GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This will be completed in the same curriculum time as the Combined Science course. This is a challenging curriculum choice for students and the final
decision regarding an individual's suitability will be made by the school. A separate process for selecting which students will study Separate Sciences will be undertaken towards the end of Year 9.
Separate Sciences - 3 GCSEs
The Separate Science qualifications will expand on the combined science topics and have the addition of the following topics: Biology - The Genome and Gene expression; Chemistry - Organic Chemistry; Physics - Space Physics. There is no coursework. All students are expected to complete 28 practical activities.
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