SCIENCE

Science (AQA GCSE and Edexcel BTEC)
Lessons are taught separately as Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There are three pathways
that students may follow dependent on ability, as demonstrated in Key Stage 3. The decision
about which route a student follows is made using evidence of their overall progress in Year
9, in addition to that provided by the Year 9 exam. Students sit this exam at the end of the
Lent term, and are re-set ready to begin their GCSE or BTEC course after the Easter
holidays. The three pathways are:
1. Applied Science BTEC followed by GCSE Core Science (Units 1) Students follow the
Edexcel First BTEC in Applied Science in Year 10 and the AQA course for Core Science
(4405) in Year 11. The BTEC qualification is equivalent to one GCSE in Science and is
examined through a portfolio of work (75%) and one examination (25%) in Year 10. The
public examinations for the Core GCSE Science qualification are taken at the end of Year
11; this leads to one GCSE qualification. In addition to three exams (one in each of the
disciplines, Biology, Chemistry and Physics) students also complete one ISA (Investigation
Skills Assessment); a controlled assessment that comprises a practical investigation and two
written assessments.
2. GCSE Core Science (Units 1) followed by GCSE Additional Science (Units 2)
Students follow the AQA courses for Core Science (4405) and Additional Science (4408).
The public examinations for the Core Science qualification are taken at the end of Year 10
and those for the Additional Science at the end of Year 11; this leads to two GCSE
qualifications. In addition to six exams (two in each of the disciplines, Biology, Chemistry and
Physics) students also complete two ISAs (Investigation Skills Assessments); a controlled
assessment that comprises a practical investigation and two written assessments.
3. a) Biology, Chemistry and Physics Separate Science GCSEs (Units 1, 2 and 3)
Students follow the AQA courses for Biology (4401), Chemistry (4402) and Physics (4403).
All public examinations for this qualification are taken at the end of Year 11 and upon
completion students will have gained three GCSEs, one in each of the Sciences. In addition
to nine exams (three in each of the disciplines, Biology, Chemistry and Physics) students
also complete an ISA (Investigation Skills Assessment); a controlled assessment that
comprises a practical investigation and two written assessments. Students on this pathway
will sit the exams for Core Science (Units 1) at the end of Year 10 as practice or in case they
choose to switch to pathway 3b at the start of Year 11.
b) GCSE Core Science (Units 1) followed by GCSE Additional Science (Units 2) and GCSE
Further Additional Science (Units 3)
Students follow the AQA courses for Core Science (4405), Additional Science (4408) and
Further Additional Science (4410).The public examinations for the Core Science qualification
are taken at the end of Year 10 and those for the Additional Science and Further Additional
Science at the end of Year 11; this leads to three GCSE qualifications. In addition to nine
exams (three in each of the disciplines, Biology, Chemistry and Physics) students also
complete three ISAs (Investigation Skills Assessments); a controlled assessment that
comprises a practical investigation and two written assessments.
AQA GCSE and Edexcel BTEC
Enquiries to Miss Telfer
ktelfer@bristolcathedral.org.uk