Year 11
Curriculum Guide | Key Stage 4
12
SUBJECT: GCSE Core and Additional Science
YEAR: 11
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Miss E James GROUPING POLICY: Set by Ability COURSE CONTENT: Students study the material for AQA Science A (Core Science) in Year 10, and will study AQA Additional Science in Year 11. Both courses will be examined at the end of Year 11. http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/science-a-4405 http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/additional-science-4408 What will my child learn? Students will study all three areas of Science. They will have two teachers, a main teacher who will teach Biology then Chemistry, and a second teacher who will teach Physics throughout the year. The topics studied will be as follows: Studied in Year 10 and assessed in Year 11 as part of the Science A GCSE 1. Biology 1 o B1.1 Keeping healthy. o B1.2 Nerves and hormones. o B1.3 The use and abuse of drugs. o B1.4 Interdependence and adaptation. o B1.5 Energy and biomass in food chains. o B1.6 Waste materials from plants and animals. o B1.7 Genetic variation and its control. o B1.8 Evolution 2. Chemistry 1 o C1.1 The fundamental ideas in chemistry. o C1.2 Limestone and building materials. o C1.3 Metals and their uses. o C1.4 Crude oil and fuels. o C1.5 Other useful substances from crude oil. o C1.6 Plant oils and their uses. o C1.7 Changes in the Earth and its atmosphere. 3. Physics 1 o P1.1 The transfer of energy by heating processes and the factors that affect the rate at which that energy is transferred. o P1.2 Energy and efficiency. o P1.3 The usefulness of electrical appliances. o P1.4 Methods we use to generate electricity. o P1.5 The use of waves for communication and to provide evidence that the universe is expanding. 4. ISA - practical exam, done in class and counting 25% of the final grade. Some students will need to repeat this component in Year 11 and this will be communicated to them.
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 1
Curriculum Guide | Key Stage 4
12
Studied in Year 11 and assessed in Year 11 as part of the Additional Science GCSE 1. Biology 2 o B2.1 Cells and simple cell transport. o B2.2 Tissue, organs and organ systems. o B2.3 Photosynthesis. o B2.4 Organisms and their environment. o B2.5 Proteins – their function and uses. o B2.6 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration. o B2.7 Cell division and inheritance. o B2.8 Speciation 2. Chemistry 2 o C2.1 Structure and bonding. o C2.2 How structure influences the properties and uses of substances. o C2.3 Currents in electrical circuits. o C2.4 Rates of reaction. o C2.5 Exothermic and endothermic reactions. o C2.6 Acids, bases and salts. o C2.7 Electrolysis. 3. Physics 2 o o o o o o
P2.1 Forces and their effects. P2.2 The kinetic energy of objects speeding up or slowing down. P2.3 Currents in electrical circuits. P2.4 Using mains electricity safely and the power of electrical appliances. P2.5 What happens when radioactive substances decay, and the uses and dangers of their emissions. P2.6 Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
4. ISA - practical exam, done in class and counting 25% of the final grade. What will homework look like? Students will have one homework per week from their main teacher and one homework per fortnight from their second teacher. What enrichment opportunities are available? Appropriate enrichment opportunities will be arranged and communicated to students as the course progresses. ASSESSMENT How will my child’s work be assessed? Students will be assessed formally by each teacher in every reporting cycle; the test will be common to the whole cohort. Students will be given A*-G grades for these tests, based on our experience of previous grade boundaries. All of those who we judge not to be progressing as we expect will be invited to attend a retest in the first instance, and then considered for additional
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 2
Curriculum Guide | Key Stage 4
12
support. In addition, students’ progress will be assessed continuously through their classwork, homework and smaller in-class tests. Practical skills are examined in the ‘ISA’ which is initially carried out in class time. Students who need to improve their grade will be invited to attend additional sessions after school. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION How can I support my child in this subject?
Be positive about learning Science when speaking to your child, whatever your personal experience of Science was. Discuss what your child is learning in Science with them; get them to explain everyday phenomena to you. Draw their attention to and discuss scientific advances that are reported in the news. Your child should receive homework weekly – please insist that this is completed to a good standard. If you are able to, help your child to complete the homework. If they are stuck, encourage them to contact their teacher, who will be happy to help. Look through your child’s Science book with them. Discuss the feedback they have received and how they can improve. Ask them to show you work that they are interested in or proud of. Encourage and help them to learn key words and formulae.
How can I support my child with exams?
Upcoming tests will be written in your child’s planner. Help them to identify the material they need to revise. Help your child to plan their revision – a little, often is much better than cramming. Try to encourage your child to revise actively by condensing their notes, making mind maps, making revision cards. Ask them to identify specifically what they are learning then test them on it.
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 3
12
SUBJECT: GCSE Core and Additional Science
YEAR: 11
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Miss E James GROUPING POLICY: Set by Ability COURSE CONTENT: Students study the material for AQA Science A (Core Science) in Year 10, and will study AQA Additional Science in Year 11. Both courses will be examined at the end of Year 11. http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/science-a-4405 http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/additional-science-4408 What will my child learn? Students will study all three areas of Science. They will have two teachers, a main teacher who will teach Biology then Chemistry, and a second teacher who will teach Physics throughout the year. The topics studied will be as follows: Studied in Year 10 and assessed in Year 11 as part of the Science A GCSE 1. Biology 1 o B1.1 Keeping healthy. o B1.2 Nerves and hormones. o B1.3 The use and abuse of drugs. o B1.4 Interdependence and adaptation. o B1.5 Energy and biomass in food chains. o B1.6 Waste materials from plants and animals. o B1.7 Genetic variation and its control. o B1.8 Evolution 2. Chemistry 1 o C1.1 The fundamental ideas in chemistry. o C1.2 Limestone and building materials. o C1.3 Metals and their uses. o C1.4 Crude oil and fuels. o C1.5 Other useful substances from crude oil. o C1.6 Plant oils and their uses. o C1.7 Changes in the Earth and its atmosphere. 3. Physics 1 o P1.1 The transfer of energy by heating processes and the factors that affect the rate at which that energy is transferred. o P1.2 Energy and efficiency. o P1.3 The usefulness of electrical appliances. o P1.4 Methods we use to generate electricity. o P1.5 The use of waves for communication and to provide evidence that the universe is expanding. 4. ISA - practical exam, done in class and counting 25% of the final grade. Some students will need to repeat this component in Year 11 and this will be communicated to them.
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 1
Curriculum Guide | Key Stage 4
12
Studied in Year 11 and assessed in Year 11 as part of the Additional Science GCSE 1. Biology 2 o B2.1 Cells and simple cell transport. o B2.2 Tissue, organs and organ systems. o B2.3 Photosynthesis. o B2.4 Organisms and their environment. o B2.5 Proteins – their function and uses. o B2.6 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration. o B2.7 Cell division and inheritance. o B2.8 Speciation 2. Chemistry 2 o C2.1 Structure and bonding. o C2.2 How structure influences the properties and uses of substances. o C2.3 Currents in electrical circuits. o C2.4 Rates of reaction. o C2.5 Exothermic and endothermic reactions. o C2.6 Acids, bases and salts. o C2.7 Electrolysis. 3. Physics 2 o o o o o o
P2.1 Forces and their effects. P2.2 The kinetic energy of objects speeding up or slowing down. P2.3 Currents in electrical circuits. P2.4 Using mains electricity safely and the power of electrical appliances. P2.5 What happens when radioactive substances decay, and the uses and dangers of their emissions. P2.6 Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
4. ISA - practical exam, done in class and counting 25% of the final grade. What will homework look like? Students will have one homework per week from their main teacher and one homework per fortnight from their second teacher. What enrichment opportunities are available? Appropriate enrichment opportunities will be arranged and communicated to students as the course progresses. ASSESSMENT How will my child’s work be assessed? Students will be assessed formally by each teacher in every reporting cycle; the test will be common to the whole cohort. Students will be given A*-G grades for these tests, based on our experience of previous grade boundaries. All of those who we judge not to be progressing as we expect will be invited to attend a retest in the first instance, and then considered for additional
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 2
Curriculum Guide | Key Stage 4
12
support. In addition, students’ progress will be assessed continuously through their classwork, homework and smaller in-class tests. Practical skills are examined in the ‘ISA’ which is initially carried out in class time. Students who need to improve their grade will be invited to attend additional sessions after school. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION How can I support my child in this subject?
Be positive about learning Science when speaking to your child, whatever your personal experience of Science was. Discuss what your child is learning in Science with them; get them to explain everyday phenomena to you. Draw their attention to and discuss scientific advances that are reported in the news. Your child should receive homework weekly – please insist that this is completed to a good standard. If you are able to, help your child to complete the homework. If they are stuck, encourage them to contact their teacher, who will be happy to help. Look through your child’s Science book with them. Discuss the feedback they have received and how they can improve. Ask them to show you work that they are interested in or proud of. Encourage and help them to learn key words and formulae.
How can I support my child with exams?
Upcoming tests will be written in your child’s planner. Help them to identify the material they need to revise. Help your child to plan their revision – a little, often is much better than cramming. Try to encourage your child to revise actively by condensing their notes, making mind maps, making revision cards. Ask them to identify specifically what they are learning then test them on it.
Quality, Partnership, Success
Page 3
