GCSE Sciences

All students study Triple Award Science resulting in separate GCSE qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 

What will I learn? 

The course of study will give you the opportunity to: 

• Develop your interest in, and enthusiasm for, science. 
• Develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods. 
• Acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and its essential role in society. 
• Appreciate the unique contribution of science to the objective understanding of the material world. 
• Acquire scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for progression to further learning. 

For detailed information on the programme of study, please consult the specifications on the AQA website (Biology 8461, Chemistry 8462, Physics 8463). 

How will I be assessed? 

You will be assessed at the end of Year 11 taking separate examinations in biology, chemistry and physics. 

You will take 2 papers for each of the three disciplines and each paper will be worth 50% of the overall marks. Questions will be multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response. 

Each paper will last 1 hour and 45 minutes – making a total of 3 and a half hours of examinations for each separate science.   

 In addition, your practical skills in science will be formally assessed during practical investigations in class. Your practical work will not contribute directly to your overall science grades but the required practicals can be examined within your written examination papers.