KS4 Science Information

This PowerPoint can be downloaded from www.science-spark.co.uk/teachers

What qualifications will my child get at the end of year 11?

• Either AQA Science GCSEs• Edexcel Level 2 BTEC in Applied Science

• OR• A combination of both

What qualifications will my child get at the end of year 11?

• All students will receive at least 2 science qualifications• Depending on their route; 1 of the following:• Triple Science (about 60 students)

(1 GCSE in Biology, 1 GCSE in Chemistry and 1 GCSE in Physics)• Double Science (about 130 students)

2 Science GCSEs (Core and Additional)• Applied Science BTEC AND a Science GCSE (about 40

students)• 2 BTEC Level 2 qualifications (about 20 students)

Why is it so complicated?• Good question… • We will try to make sure that your child achieves the

equivalent of 2 Science GCSEs at least. (At the best grade possible)

• Most students will just take 2 GCSEs!• Some have already chosen to take 3 because they know

they really like science and they think they want to follow a career where they think that 3 Science GCSEs may give them some advantage and so do triple

• Some students are better at coursework and so will do better in BTEC.

What course is my child doing?

When will students be assessed?Triple Science

GCSE:9 exams (all

the core, additional and

further content) in Y11 plus 3 practical exams

Double Science GCSE:Additional: 3 exams in Y11 plus 1 practical exam (taken at end

of year 10)

Core: 3 exams in y10 plus 1 practical exam (students

have already done this but will redo in March)

CORE BTEC L2: exam worth

25% at end of y10

10 assignments over the course

Science GCSE:3 exams in Y11 plus 1 practical exam (taken at end of year 10)

Applied BTEC L2:

exam worth 25% at end of

y11assignments of

the year

CORE BTEC L2:

exam worth 25% at end

of y10

10 assignments

over the course

What topics are covered in BTEC?

Principles of Applied Science

Application of Science

Unit 1: Principles of Science * Unit 5: Application of Chemical Substances Unit 2: Chemistry and our Earth Unit 6: Application of Physical Science Unit 3: Energy and our Universe Unit 7: Health Applications of Life Science

Unit 4: Biology and our Environment Unit 8: Scientific Skills * * Unit is externally assessed * Unit is externally assessed

More details can be found from: http://www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts2012/applied-science/

How is BTEC assessed?• BTEC in Y10• 10 Assignments covering all the core Science topics (Biology, Chemistry

and Physics)ANDan exam on this science worth 25%

• What support do students get in lessons? • Exemplar assignments • Basic writing frames for a pass• Catch up club Tuesday Evening 3-4pm

• What can I do to help? • Assignments completed in class• From Easter students will need to revise for exam

What topics are covered in the Core GCSE?Biology

• B1.1 Keeping healthy• B1.2 Nerves and

hormones• B1.3 The use and abuse of

drugs• B1.4 Interdependence and

adaptation• B1.5 Energy and biomass

in food chains• B1.6 Waste materials from

plants and animals• B1.7 Genetic variation and

its control• B1.8 Evolution

Chemistry

• C1.1 The fundamental ideas in chemistry

• C1.2 Limestone and building materials

• C1.3 Metals and their uses• C1.4 Crude oil and fuels• C1.5 Other useful

substances from crude oil• C1.6 Plant oils and their

uses• C1.7 Changes in the Earth

and its atmosphere

Physics

• P1.1 The transfer of energy by heating processes and the factors that affect the rate at which that energy is transferred

• P1.2 Energy and efficiency• P1.3 The usefulness of

electrical appliances• P1.4 Methods we use to

generate electricity• P1.5 The use of waves for

communication and to provide evidence that the universe is expanding

More details can be found on: http://www.sciencelab.org.uk/

What topics are covered in the Additional GCSE?Biology

• B2.1 Cells and simple cell transport

• B2.2 Tissues, organs and organ systems

• B2.3 Photosynthesis• B2.4 Organisms and their

environment• B2.5 Proteins – their

functions and uses• B2.6 Aerobic and

anaerobic respiration• B2.7 Cell division and

inheritance• B2.8 Speciation

Chemistry

• C2.1 Structure and bonding

• C2.2 How structure influences the properties and uses of substances

• C2.3 Atomic structure, analysis and quantitative chemistry

• C2.4 Rates of reaction• C2.5 Exothermic and

endothermic reactions• C2.6 Acids, bases and salts• C2.7 Electrolysis

Physics

• P2.1 Forces and their effects

• P2.2 The kinetic energy of objects speeding up or slowing down

• P2.3 Currents in electrical circuits

• P2.4 Using mains electricity safely and the power of electrical appliances

• P2.5 What happens when radioactive substances decay, and the uses and dangers of their emissions

• P2.6 Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

What topics are covered in the Further GCSE?Biology

• B3.1 Movement of molecules in and out of cells

• B3.2 Transport systems in plants and animals

• B3.3 Homeostasis• B3.4 Humans and their

environment

Chemistry

• C3.1 The periodic table• C3.2 Water• C3.3 Calculating and

explaining energy changes• C3.4 Further analysis and

quantitative chemistry• C3.5 The production of

ammonia• C3.6 Alcohols, carboxylic

acids and esters

Physics

• P3.1 Medical applications of physics

• P3.2 Using physics to make things work

• P3.3 Keeping things moving

How are GCSE students assessed?The exams are split into 3 different types of questions based around the Biology, Chemistry and Physics that they learn and students can expect about 30-40% of each type:

• AO1; Recalling the science:

e.g. Labelling diagrams, testing definitions etc. The easiest thing to test.

What support do students get in lessons? Quizzes in lessons. Using glossaries to find meanings. How can I help? Keyword quizzes, from revision guide notes, testing using flash cards.

• AO2; Applying skills, applying knowledge and applying understanding: e.g. Summarising information from articles. Using calculations. Interpreting graphs.

What support do students get in lessons? Controlled assessments focus on these skillsHow can I help? Read science articles online or in a magazine, looking at tables and graphs and

ask – what have you found out? Check calculations (using mark scheme in revision guide) Use www.science-spark.co.uk

• AO3; Analysing and evaluating evidence:e.g. balanced argument and “because” statement. Or “My opinion is …. Because …..”

What support do students get in lessons? Practise exam questions. Back up conclusions with evidence and then making judgements about validity of evidence.How can I help? Read science articles online or in a magazine about new technology or innovations and ask – what do you think about that? Why? Are the writers biased?

Plan of Core and Additional Science GCSE exams

Yr 9 & 10 Core GCSE

B1Exam taken end of

year 1025%

C1Exam

taken end of year 10

25%

P1Exam taken end of year 10

25%

2 practical ISA exams taken within 10

25%

B1, C1, P1 plus an ISA = Core Science GCSE

Y11 Additional Science

B2Exam taken end of year 11

25%

C2Exam

taken end of year 11

25%

P2Exam taken end of year 11

25%

practical ISA exam taken early on in year 11

25%

B2, C2, P2 plus ISA = Additional Science GCSE

Plan of triple science GCSE exams

Yr 9 Core Award

(Science A)

Biology 1 Exam 25%

Chemistry 1Exam 25%

Physics 1Exam 25%

Practical Exam 25%

B1, C1, P1 plus Practical

= Core Science GCSE

Yr10 Additional

Award

Biology 2Exam 25%

Chemistry 2Exam 25%

Physics 2Exam 25%

Practical Exam 25%

B2, C2, P2 plus Practical = Additional

Science GCSE

Y11 Triple Award

(Further)

Biology 3Exam 25%

Chemistry 3Exam 25%

Physics 3Exam 25%

Practical Exam 25%

B3, C3, P3 plus Practical

= Further Science GCSE

B1, B2, B3 + practical =

Biology GCSE

C1, C2, C3 + practical = Chemistry

GCSE

P1, P2, P3 + practical = Physics

GCSE

KS4 Science Information

This PowerPoint can be downloaded from www.science-spark.co.uk/teachers