ADDITIONAL SCIENCE

Pupils will study the AQA specification for GCSE Science A (Core Science) in Year 10, followed by the AQA specification for GCSE Additional Science in Year 11. In Year 10 the Core Science is examinable through 6 external objective tests and 1 internal Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA). In Year 11 the Additional Science is examinable through 3 external written papers and 1 internal Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA).

External assessment in Year 10 is available through ‘bite size’ objective tests. Each of the 3 units, Biology 1, Chemistry 1 and Physics 1, is divided into two equal sections and each section is examined in a separate 30 minute test. The tests are available in November, March and June.

External assessment in Year 11 is available through 3 written papers. Each of the 3 units, Biology 2, Chemistry 2 and Physics 2 has a 45 minute written paper. One of these papers will be taken in January and the remaining 2 papers will be taken in June.

The internal ISA’s are normal class practical work followed by externally set, internally assessed tests taking 45 minutes, and Practical Skills Assessments.

The content of Additional Science follows on from Core Science, however, whereas Core Science emphasises evaluating evidence and the implications of science for society, Additional Science has greater emphasis on explaining, theorising and modelling in science.