Science

Science Curriculum

Science Curriculum Pathways & Learning Journey (Click Images to open files)

KS4 Science Qualifications

AQA GCSE Combined Science: Synergy

The GCSE encourages the development of knowledge and understanding in science through opportunities for working scientifically. Working scientifically is the sum of all the activities that scientists do. The “synergy” course splits the content into two broad topics (“Life & Environment Science” and “Physical Sciences”) which combine concepts and ideas from biology, chemistry and physics.

This course will enable students to:

Gain a better knowledge and understanding of Science
Access jobs and careers that require Science as an entry qualification.
Develop abilities and skills that are relevant to the study, practice and application of Science, which are useful in everyday life and encourage safe practice.
Acquire a systematic body of scientific knowledge and the skills needed to apply this in new and changing situations in a range of social, industrial and environmental contexts.
Develop an understanding of scientific issues

Part 1+ Part 2: Life and environmental sciences:

How it is assessed:

2 Written exams: 1 hour 45 minutes each
- Option for Foundation or Higher Tier
Each paper is out of 100 marks
Each paper equals to 25% of GCSE
Part 3: Part 4: Physical sciences

How it is assessed:

2 Written exams: 1 hour 45 minutes each
- Option for Foundation or Higher Tier
Each paper is out of 100 marks
Each paper equals to 25% of GCSE

Science Entry Level Certificate

Students should submit evidence from at least three of the six components. At least one each from Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

How it's assessed:

Externally-set assignment: 45 minutes
each test is worth 20 marks
weighting 57%

Students must submit evidence for three components. They are not required to be the same components as the ESAs (externally-set assessment). But, they must be one each from biology, chemistry and physics. These are assessments of practical tasks set by the teacher and marked against the marking criteria provided in the Scheme of assessment.