Key Stage 4 Science – Year 11
All students study Science at KS4. In Year 9 they enjoy 6 hours of science per fortnight, in Year 10 they have 9 hours per fortnight, and in Year 11 they have 11 hours per fortnight. This allows us to cover a broad curriculum of science skills and topics across the course being studied.
In Year 9 all students study the same course content to allow them to develop their scientific knowledge and skills and to prepare them for the examination courses in Year 10 and 11. Based on summative data, attitude to learning and teacher assessments during Year 9 students are then placed on appropriate courses to enable individuals to have the best opportunity to successfully complete Science qualifications at Level 2. Students will continue to study all the areas of Science in the AQA Double Award GCSE Science course. This course is made up of two Science GCSE qualifications that are separately assessed through exams and individual skills assessments (ISAs). It is therefore possible to get a different grade for each qualification.
Some students who have excelled in Year 9 will have the opportunity to study individual AQA GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Triple Science). These are separate GCSE qualifications and are separately assessed through exams and internal skills assessments (ISAs). It is therefore possible to get a different grade for each qualification.
AQA GCSE Separate Sciences (Triple Science)
Assessment
All GCSE science courses are now terminally assessed, meaning that no formal external exams are sat until the end of Year 11, in line with recent Government directives. The Triple Science course is split into three units per science (B1, B2 and B3 for Biology, C1, C2 and C3 for Chemistry and P1, P2 and P3 for Physics). In the summer of Year 11 students sit nine one-hour exams, one for each of the three units in each science. In addition to plenty of practical work, over the course of KS4 students also carry out individual skills assessments (ISAs) in each science, the marks of which are submitted to the exam board at the end of Year 11 to complete the qualification.
Students are monitored regularly via short tests and other assessed work to enable us to keep track of their progress. Where progress appears to be at a lower level than we would expect, various intervention methods are then employed to boost attainment.
Outcomes
Students entered on the separate Science GCSEs will gain three separate GCSE grades, one in each of the three sciences. The grades are completely independent from one another, meaning that three separate grades are possible, however through our intervention strategies; we aim for all students to achieve their target grade in all three Science GCSEs.
Careers
The Triple Science route is an excellent foundation for students wishing to progress into careers with a strong scientific focus. Careers such as medicine, pharmacy, veterinary work and research are commonly pursued by ex-students. If a scientific career is not something that students wish to follow, a sound scientific background is invaluable in many careers as scientists tend to possess a logical and methodical approach to any task they undertake.
AQA GCSE Double Award Science
Assessment
All GCSE science courses are now terminally assessed, meaning that no formal external exams are sat until the end of Year 11. In the summer of Year 11 students sit six one-hour exams, one for each of the two units in Chemistry (C1, C2), Physics (P1, P2) and Biology (B1, B2). In addition to plenty of practical work, over the course of KS4 students also carry out two individual skills assessments (ISAs) one for Core Science A and another for Additional Science, the marks of which are submitted to the exam board at the end of Year 11 to complete the both qualifications.
Students are monitored regularly via short tests and other assessed work to enable us to keep track of their progress. Where progress appears to be at a lower level than we would expect, various intervention methods are then employed to boost attainment.
Outcomes
Students entered on the Double Award AQA GCSE course will gain two separate GCSE grades, one in Science A and one in Additional Science. The grades are completely independent from one another, meaning that two separate grades are possible, however through our intervention strategies; we aim for all students to achieve their target grade in both Science GCSEs.
Careers
The double award route is an excellent foundation for students wishing to progress into careers where science may be useful. Careers in the scientific industry and research are commonly pursued by ex students. If a scientific career is not something that students wish to follow, a sound scientific background is invaluable in many careers as scientists tend to possess a logical and methodical approach to any task they undertake.
Please click here for the latest changes to AQA GCSE Science qualifications
Contact Details
If you wish to discuss the various routes available through KS4 Science at The Polesworth School, please contact either Miss A. Harris (Head of Science) or Miss R Wilkinson (KS4 Science Coordinator) on 01827 702205, or via email at a.harris@thepolesworthschool.com or r.wilkinson@thepolesworthschool.com
Future changes to Science GCSEs following government reforms will be reflected in the information provided by The Polesworth School Science department as they arise.