Students can choose to study the sciences from Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 

They can select two or three (please see below for guidance and recommendations on this). The AQA course better prepares students to study the sciences at IB level, if their grades are high enough. 

Students will gain a GCSE in each Science that they choose  and will be awarded using the 9-1 grading system. This qualification is linear, which means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course which is at the end of Year 11. 

All courses (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) based on this specification should encourage candidates to:

• Develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, science
• Develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods
• Acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and its essential role in society
• Acquire scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for progression to further learning.

How many Science subjects should I choose?

Three Sciences: This option is suitable for students who are very interested and engaged in Science lessons, are prepared to commit themselves to Science studies with enthusiasm and who are interested in pursuing a scientific career. They should be aware that they will be studying 9 hours of Science a week and will have less opportunity to study other option subjects. The three Sciences will be studied in detail and will prepare them for IB HL if their grades are high enough.

Two Sciences: This is the option that we expect most students to choose, as it will enable them to keep their career pathways open, while still giving them the opportunity to study other option subjects. The two Sciences they choose will be studied in detail and they will be prepared to continue studying either (or both) subjects at IB HL level, if their grades are high enough.

Assessments

Internal: These will be conducted throughout the 2 year course and will be used to inform us of a student's progress by topic and by subject. 

External: At the end of year 11, students will sit 2 papers for each science subject. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas listed below. The papers are written with an aim to apply knowledge, not just re-state learned facts. There will be no coursework element however, students will have to complete a number of required practicals.

Subject content

*Examined in Paper 2    

Why Study Biology GCSE?

As a field of science, biology helps us understand the living world and the ways its many species (including humans) function, evolve, and interact. Advances in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and many other areas of biology have brought improvements in the quality of life. Fields such as genetics and evolution give insight into the past and can help shape the future, whilst research in ecology and conservation inform how we can protect this planet’s precious biodiversity (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2023). We study all of these aspects through the GCSE course, to prepare our students for the IB choices they will make in year 11, and potentially for their future careers. 

Why Study Chemistry GCSE?

Chemistry is a subject that deals with the properties, composition, and structure of substances (elements and compounds), the reactions and transformations they undergo, and the energy released or absorbed during those processes. Often called the “central science,” chemistry is concerned with atoms as building blocks, with everything in the material world, and with all living things. Branches of chemistry include inorganic, organic, physical, and analytical chemistry, and biochemistry (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2023). We teach these aspects through the GCSE course, to enable our students to make informed decisions on the IB choices they will make in year 11, and potentially for their future careers. 

Why Study Physics GCSE?

Physics can be defined as the science of matter, motion, and energy; matter is the material substance that constitutes our whole observable universe and how the fundamental constituents of the universe interact. Physics deals with matter and energy and the way they act on each other in heat, light, electricity, and sound, through high-energy, nuclear, particle and the laws of physics. We teach these aspects through the GCSE course, to enable our students to make informed decisions on the IB choices they will make in year 11, and potentially for their future careers.