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?
What topics are covered in BTEC?
Principles of Applied Science
Application of Science
Unit 1: Principles of Science *
Unit 2: Chemistry and our Earth
Unit 3: Energy and our Universe
Unit 4: Biology and our Environment
* Unit is externally assessed
Unit 5: Application of Chemical Substances
Unit 6: Application of Physical Science
Unit 7: Health Applications of Life Science
Unit 8: Scientific Skills *
* 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)
AND
an 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
Chemistry
Physics
• 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
• 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
• 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
Chemistry
Physics
• 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
• 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
• 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
Chemistry
Physics
• 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
• 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
• 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 skills
How 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
Y11
Additional
Science
B1
Exam
taken
end of
year 10
25%
C1
Exam
taken end
of year 10
B2
Exam
taken
end of
year 11
25%
C2
Exam
taken end
of year 11
25%
25%
P1
Exam
taken
end of
year 10
25%
2 practical
ISA exams
taken within
10
25%
B1, C1, P1
plus an ISA
= Core
Science
GCSE
P2
Exam
taken
end of
year 11
25%
B2, C2, P2
plus ISA =
practical
Additional
ISA exam
Science
taken early
on in year 11 GCSE
25%
Plan of triple science GCSE exams
Yr 9 Core
Award
(Science A)
Yr10
Additional
Award
Y11 Triple
Award
(Further)
Biology 1
Exam 25%
Biology 2
Exam 25%
Biology 3
Exam 25%
B1, B2, B3
+ practical =
Biology
GCSE
Chemistry 1
Exam 25%
Chemistry 2
Exam 25%
Chemistry 3
Exam 25%
Physics 1
Exam 25%
Physics 2
Exam 25%
Physics 3
Exam 25%
C1, C2, C3 + P1, P2, P3
practical = + practical
Chemistry
= Physics
GCSE
GCSE
Practical
Exam 25%
B1, C1, P1
plus Practical
= Core
Science
GCSE
Practical
Exam 25%
B2, C2, P2
plus Practical
= Additional
Science
GCSE
Practical
Exam 25%
B3, C3, P3
plus Practical
= Further
Science
GCSE
KS4 Science Information
This PowerPoint can be downloaded from
www.science-spark.co.uk/teachers