Head of Faculty: Mrs M Carrick
Teaching Staff: Mr M Clarke, Miss M Lees, Mr K Wideman, Mr J Crawford
Examination Board: OCR Syllabus Codes J241 and J 632
GCSE 21st Century Core Science – Year 10
Pupils study GCSE Core Science in Year 10. This is a one year course that helps pupils make sense of the Science they encounter in everyday life and appreciate what it can tell them about themselves, their environment, and the Universe.
This course has an emphasis on scientific literacy – the knowledge and understanding that candidates need to engage with Science-based issues as informed citizens.
Pupils are enabled to:
1. recognise the impact of Science and technology on everyday life;
2. take informed personal decisions about issues that involve Science;
3. understand the key points of media reports and reflect on the information included.
There are nine teaching modules:
- You and Your Genes
- Air Quality
- The Earth in the Universe
- Keeping Healthy
- Material Choices
- Radiation and Life
- Life on Earth
- Chemicals in our Lives
- Sustainable Energy
Pupils will be assessed through three unit examinations (25% each) and two controlled assessments (25% in total). External examinations will take place in January and June of 2013. Although pupils will complete the GCSE course in Year 10 they will not be accredited with the GCSE qualification until the end of Year 11.
GCSE 21st Century Applied Science – Year 11
Pupils who study GCSE Core Science in Year 10 will study this course in Year 11. This course aims to stimulate pupils to develop their practical capabilities. It prepares them for more advanced courses and may lead to careers in technical fields. The course meets the needs of pupils who wish to develop their scientific understanding through authentic, work related contexts. The contexts are likely to be encountered by many pupils in their personal and/or working lives.
There are two teaching units. Each unit has 4 modules:
(A) Science in Society
A1 - Sport & Fitness
A2 - Health Care
A3 - Monitoring and protecting the environment
A4 - Scientists protecting the public
(B) Science of Materials and Production
B1 - Sports equipment
B2 - Stage & Screen
B3 - Agriculture, bio-technology & food
B4 - Making Chemical products
Pupils will be assessed through three unit examinations (16.7% each) and a portfolio/coursework (50%). The GCSE qualification that is obtained is in addition to the GCSE Core Science qualification that was completed in Year 10.
