Science

AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics

AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy

 

Biology - Year 10 Course Overview


Both Triple and Combined Science students will cover the same content until the end of the autumn term.

Autumn Term
• 4.2 Cells, Tissues, Organ Systems and Non-communicable Diseases
• 4.4 Bioenergetics (2)

Spring Term
• 4.5 Homeostasis and Response

Summer Term
• 4.7 Ecosystems

Science Investigations/Practicals
Students will be carry out a wide range of investigations which will allow them to apply their knowledge and understanding to what they experience.

Investigations will:
* Develop basic skills such as selecting and using equipment, and learning various techniques
* Illustrate a concept or process, offering first-hand experience before further discussion or analysis
* Encourage students to ask questions and make predictions
* Extend the scope of the curriculum

Required Practicals – Year 9 to Year 11 students will need to undertake all required practical activities, (details can be found in the GCSE Biology specification 8461). Students will have the opportunity to experience the use of all the apparatus and a range of techniques required by Ofqual.
1) Microscopy
2) Microbiology
3) Osmosis
4) Enzymes
5) Food tests
6) Photosynthesis
7) Reaction time
8) Plant responses
9) Field investigations
10) Decay

Chemistry - Year 10 Course Overview

The following chemistry units will be covered:
• Quantitative chemistry
• Chemical changes
• Energy changes
• Rates of reaction
• Organic chemistry

There will be an element of synoptic assessment in some of the written papers. This will involve making and using connections within and between different areas of each science e.g. applying knowledge and understanding of more than one area to a particular situation or context.

Coursework is no longer part of the assessment but there is a set of Required Practicals for each Science that has to be covered during lesson time over the two years and may be covered in the written exam.

Science Investigations/Practicals
Students will be carry out a wide range of investigations which will allow them to apply their knowledge and understanding to what they experience.
Investigations will:
* Develop basic skills such as selecting and using equipment, and learning various techniques
* Illustrate a concept or process, offering first-hand experience before further discussion or analysis
* Encourage students to ask questions and make predictions
* Extend the scope of the curriculum

Required Practicals – Year 9 to Year 11 students will need to undertake all required practical activities, (details can be found in the GCSE Chemistry specification 8462). Students will have the opportunity to experience the use of all the apparatus and a range of techniques required by Ofqual.

The chemistry practical’s are as follows:
Making salts
Neutralisation
Electrolysis
Temperature changes
Rates of reaction
Chromatography
Identifying ions
Water purification

 

Physics - Year 10 Course Overview


The following units will be covered:

  • Particle model of matter
  • Atomic structure
  • Waves
  • Magnetism and electromagnetism

There will be an element of synoptic assessment in some of the written papers. This will involve making and using connections within and between different areas of each science e.g. applying knowledge and understanding of more than one area to a particular situation or context.

Assessments will consist of fortnightly homework quizzes; 3 knowledge tests (November, February and April) and a pre-public examination in December and July.

Coursework is no longer part of the assessment but there is a set of Required Practicals for each Science that has to be covered during lesson time over the two years and may be covered in the written exam.

Required Practicals – Year 10 and Year 11 students will need to undertake all required practical activities, (details can be found in the GCSE Physics specification 8463). Students will have the opportunity to experience the use of all the apparatus and a range of techniques required by Ofqual.

These practicals are as follows:

  • Specific heat capacity
  • Resistance
  • I-V characteristics
  • Density
  • Force and extension
  • Acceleration
  • Waves
  • Radiation and absorption
  • Thermal insulation
  • Light

 

Useful Websites:


Separate Sciences

Biology - http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461

Chemistry - http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462

Physics - http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463


Combined Science (Trilogy)

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464

 

KS4 Revision Guides


The Science department is happy to offer students the opportunity to purchase a KS4 all-in-one revision guide and exam practice book to help support them when they are revising for the end of topic and termly tests that we carry out in Science.

Students will be guided to buy a specific book, or books, according to the GCSE course they are studying:

  • Separate/Triple Science students will need one book per Science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics at a cost of £4 each = £12 total.

  • Double/Combined Science students will need one book that includes all three sciences at a cost of £8. This book comes in two tiers, either higher or foundation.

We are able to offer it at cost price whereas it costs far more in the shops or online.

They are not compulsory and will not be used in lessons or for homework but we wanted to offer them to students as parents have often mentioned that they wanted to be able to support their children when they are revising at home.

The book is split up into the different topics with sections to revise, questions to check their knowledge and understanding and then a big multi-topic exam (with mark scheme) at the end.

Revision guides can be purchased through the ParentPay website.

 

Message from the Science Team


As part of our commitment to your child, the Science department are endeavouring to support each and every student achieve their potential. The GCSE exams are made up of approximately 40% knowledge recall and this is what we are basing our fortnightly online quizzes on. These knowledge based tasks can help to secure a student at least 32% (if they get the 80% pass rate we ask of them). In last summer's exams, 32% was enough to secure a grade 4 or 5 in the higher papers and a grade 2 or 3 in the foundation papers. Building on this knowledge within lesson time will allow the students to achieve even higher grades as they apply and evaluate in new situations. The assessments have been tailored to meet the needs of each student based on their set, ability, tier of entry and their own specific needs. Please feel free to contact your child's subject teacher if you have any questions.

AYO GCSE Science Homework letter Sept 19