Science Faculty
- Option Choices in Year 10
- Science & Additional Science
- Triple Science
- Applied Science – Double Award
- G.C.S.E. Science/Entry Level
- Electronics (modular)
Option Choices in Year 10
G.C.S.E. Science courses are changing in England and Wales starting in September 2006.
The structure of these courses will now be modular in style and are described below.
There will be 4 possible options offered by the school:
- Triple Science
- Science and Additional Science (equivalent to the old Double Science)
- Applied Science - Double Award
- Science / Entry Level
Science & Additional Science
This option replaces the old Double Science G.C.S.E.
The G.C.S.E. course called SCIENCE consists of three modules.
| G.C.S.E. SCIENCE |
||
|---|---|---|
| PHYSICS | CHEMISTRY | BIOLOGY |
| P1 | C1 | B1 |
These modules will be taught in Year 10 and examined in three 45 minute examinations at the end of Year 10.
There are 3 practical assessment tests, one in each of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The timing of these is up to the Science Department but will likely take place around Christmas of Year 10.
The marks from each of the exams for P1, C1 and B1 as well as those for the 3 practical tests are then added together and a grade awarded for G.C.S.E. Science. This will happen at the end of Year 10.
However, if any of a pupil’s results for P1, C1 or B1 are unsatisfactory then it is possible to re-sit the exams once, in either January or June of Year 11. The award of the G.C.S.E. in SCIENCE would then be at the end of Year 11.
Pupils will be taught SCIENCE over 9 periods per fortnight. ( 3 Physics, 3 Chemistry and 3 Biology ).
The G.C.S.E. course called ADDITIONAL SCIENCE consists of three modules.
| G.C.S.E. ADDITIONAL SCIENCE |
||
|---|---|---|
| PHYSICS | CHEMISTRY | BIOLOGY |
| P2 | C2 | B2 |
These modules will be taught in Year 11 and examined in three 45 minute examinations at the end of Year 11.
There are 3 practical assessment tests, one in each of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The timing of these is up to the Science Department but will likely take place around Christmas of Year 11.
The marks from each of the exams for P2, C2 and B2 as well as those for the 3 practical tests are then added together and a grade awarded for G.C.S.E. ADDITIONAL SCIENCE. This will happen at the end of Year 11.
In summary – pupils opting for ‘Double Science’ will be awarded a G.C.S.E. in SCIENCE at the end of Year 10 and a G.C.S.E. in ADDITIONAL SCIENCE at the end of Year 11. (subject to any re-sits )
Triple Science
Pupils opting for Triple Science will be taking three separate G.C.S.E.s.
These are:
- G.C.S.E. Physics
- G.C.S.E.Chemistry
- G.C.S.E. Biology
The structure for each of the above G.C.S.E.’s is the same and is as follows:
G.C.S.E. Physics/Chemistry/Biology
This G.C.S.E. consists of three modules:
| G.C.S.E. Physics |
||
|---|---|---|
| P1 | P2 | P3 |
The modules P1 and P2 are the same modules as described earlier for Science and Additional Science.
| G.C.S.E. Chemistry |
||
|---|---|---|
| C1 | C2 | C3 |
The modules C1 and C2 are the same modules as described earlier for Science and Additional Science.
| G.C.S.E. Biology |
||
|---|---|---|
| B1 | B2 | B3 |
The modules B1 and B2 are the same modules as described earlier for Science and Additional Science.
The teaching of these 3 modules will be spread over Years 10 and 11. It is likely (but not yet finalised) that pupils will sit P1/C1/B1 at the end of Year 10, P1/C2/B2 in January of Year 11 and P3/C3/B3 in June of Year 11. Again, the modules can be re sat once if necessary.
Each subject will be taught over 4 periods per fortnight.
In summary – pupils opting for ‘Triple Science’ will be awarded three G.C.S.Es, one in Physics, one in Chemistry and one in Biology. These will be awarded at the end of Year 11.
Applied Science – Double Award
This course has been in existence for several years as a pilot in other schools, but this is the first time it has been offered in Porthcawl.
It is designed for pupils who would benefit from a course with a less academic emphasis and involves a larger practical element coupled with project work. It is about science used by people in a wide variety of contexts in everyday life and in jobs.
Because of the structure of the course it will be an excellent course for those pupils wanting to prepare for further vocational courses in science related subjects as well as preparing for employment or further training in industry.
It consists of 3 units:
| Unit 1 | Developing Scientific Skills (Portfolio) | Internally Assessed |
| Unit 2 | Science and Society | P1, C1 and B1, One 1hr 15min exam |
| Unit 3 | Science at Work (Portfolio) | Internally Assessed |
Note: The Modules P1, C12, and B1 in the applied science course are NOT the same modules as in the SCIENCE course described earlier.
Unit 1 will be completed by the end of the first term in Year 10 and then submitted. If necessary the portfolio can be amended and then re-submitted in Year 11 to gain a better mark.
The work for Unit 2 will be completed by the end of Year 10. The exam will be sat at the end of Year 10. If necessary this exam can be re-sat in January of Year 11 to gain a better mark.
Unit 3 will be completed and submitted by the end of Year 11.
Although the course will be taught at the Foundation level pupils will be able to achieve a grade A – this is the only course where this is possible as all other foundation level courses offer a maximum of a C grade.
Pupils will be taught Applied Science over 9 periods per fortnight.
It is anticipated that 2 sets will be taught this course. The Department will carefully select pupils who it is felt will most benefit from the course. This information will be available to parents before the end of Year 9.
G.C.S.E. Science/Entry Level
This option is available for a limited number of pupils who find Science especially challenging.
It is anticipated that these pupils will be entered for either or both of the courses depending on ability.
The G.C.S.E. course called SCIENCE consists of three modules.
| G.C.S.E. Science |
||
|---|---|---|
| PHYSICS | CHEMISTRY | BIOLOGY |
| P1 | C1 | B1 |
The structure and assessment for G.C.S.E. Science is as follows:
These modules will be taught in Year 10 and examined in three 45 minute examinations at the end of Year 11.
There are 3 practical assessment tests, one in each of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The timing of these is up to the Science Department but will likely take place around Christmas of Year 10.
The marks from each of the exams for P1, C1 and B1 as well as those for the 3 practical tests are then added together and a grade awarded for G.C.S.E. Science. This will happen at the end of Year 11.
The entry level course studied during Years 10 and 11 consists of a number of individual units such as materials, space science, how living things work.
The entry level course assessment is as follows:
Oral assessment 10%, Practical assessment 25%, End of Unit Tests 40%, Written Paper 25%.
Pupils will be taught both courses together as a lot of the work is duplicated. A decision about which exam ( Science or Entry Level Science ) a pupil will be entered for will be made in Year 11 based on progress made and ability.
Electronics (modular)
Electronics is run from the Physics department at the school and is designed for pupils who have a serious interest in science. The course is practically based with pupils gaining insight and understanding into how electronic circuits work, are designed and manufactured.
Electronics is a modular course and culminates with a Yr. 11 project worth 25% of the final GCSE mark which must be designed and manufactured by the pupil. There are two levels of entry:
Higher A* - D grades
Foundation C - G “
Subject Content
- Module 1 12.5% Basic Circuit Theory June 2007
- Module 2 12.5% Digital Systems Feb. 2008
- Terminal Examination June 2008 50%
- Project 25% June 2007
Career Opportunities
This course marries extremely well with GCSE and A level Physics and is useful in promoting to degrees in engineering or computing based disciplines. As well as providing a good grounding into how everyday electronic systems such as AM radios really work. Career opportunities for someone who has some knowledge of electronic design are boundless in South Wales with the likes of Sony U.K., Panasonic, Grundig, Ford, Lucky Gold Star, Mitel and Newbridge Networks all thriving on the M4 corridor.