Science - KS4

Key stage 4

Twenty First Century Science is a set of GCSE Science courses that have been developed to give all 14 to 16 year olds a worthwhile and inspiring experience of Science. The strength of the programme is that it meets the needs, through flexible options, of those who will go on to be professional scientists and of those who will not.

How will the courses meet the needs of young people?

21st Century Science has at its heart a GCSE Science course, which everyone will study. This builds on the science that young people will have studied in school at an earlier age, in a way that will help them to engage with an increasingly scientific world.

How many GCSE grades will my child get?

A student taking just GCSE Science will be awarded one GCSE grade for Science.

Any students who take GCSE Science and an Additional Science course will be awarded two GCSE grades, one for each course. However, because the courses are independent, the two grades may differ.

Will this course prepare young people to study Science after GCSE?

In addition to developing their scientific understanding through the GCSE Science course, many students will expand their study of Science, to provide grounding for possible further study of Science post-16. For these students 21st Century Science offers an additional course, which will appeal to those considering a working life where Science will be needed.

GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science

This Course is concept-led developed to meet the needs of students seeking a deeper understanding of basic scientific ideas. The course focuses on scientific explanations, scientific models and the work of scientists.

Additional (Applied)

This course will develop students’ practical competence and problem-solving abilities in work-related contexts. The focus is on the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to achieve reliable and meaningful results from investigative Science. This course may be more appropriate for those students interested in post-16 courses, which involve the practice of Science, including a range of AS/A-levels as well as vocational courses.

Assessment

Assessment for each of the courses is flexible. It has also been designed to ensure that the assessment in each course is fit for purpose – it suits the aims of the course, and the students, here’s the outline:

GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science

Three question papers of short, objective-style questions, each testing three modules. These papers may be sat in either January or June, and are set and marked by OCR. (Total marks = 50%)

An ‘Ideas in Context’ paper, taken at the end of the course, set and marked by OCR. This is not a synoptic paper, and is based on pre-release material. (Total marks = 16.7%)

Internal assessment, developed to be part of normal teaching and learning, teacher-marked and moderated by OCR. (Total marks = 33.3%)

For GCSE Science there is a Case Study (20%), where students look closely at a topical science-based issue. Students can report their findings in a variety of ways, for example, written report, PowerPoint presentation, public information leaflet, script for a radio interview etc. This varied approach is both very motivating for students, and well-suited to fit into your normal teaching. Practical work is an important aspect of the course, and in the second element of internal assessment, Data Analysis (13.3%), students interpretation and evaluation skills are recorded. This activity is not assessing students planning or collection of the data, and again should be part of normal teaching and learning.

For GCSE Additional Science there is a Practical Investigation. There is no prediction hoop for students to jump through. This opens up the possibility for more open-ended investigations should they wish to do them.

GCSE Additional Applied Science

Three question papers of short, objective-style questions, each testing one module. These papers may be sat in either January or June, and are set and marked by OCR. (Total marks = 50%)

Internal assessment has been reduced in extent in the light of feedback from Pilot schools, and is now streamlined to a Work-Related Portfolio comprising of six standard procedures (one from each module (12%), a suitability test (21%), and a work-related report (17%).

Science Revision Lessons

Every Wednesday in SC1

Unit 1 (B1,C1,P1) Nov 18th

Unit 2 (B2,C2,P2) Nov 25th

Harnessing Chemicals Dec 2nd

Scientific Detection Dec 9th

Unit 4 (B4,C4,P4) Dec 16th

Unit 5 (B5,C5,P5) Jan 6th

Science Coursework catch up every Monday in SC1