Science

Combined and Separate Science

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
All students are required to complete a  minimum of two GCSEs in Science.  In Science we run two programmes of study —AQA Combined (Trilogy) Science and AQA Separate Science.  All students on either programme will study Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with Separate Science students covering a wider range of content.  Students completing the Combined Science course will be awarded two GCSE grades, reflective of their performance in all three sciences.  Those taking Separate Science will be awarded a grade for each subject.
 
The selection for Separate Science will be based upon teacher assessment and examination results in Key Stage 3 and the first part of Key Stage 4 science, with students being selected to take Separate Science at the end of Year 10.  Taking three science GCSEs is very academically demanding and is suited to only those students capable of taking an additional GCSE course in the same time as students following Combined Science.  Students must have a passion for Science and will also need good literacy and numeracy skills.
 
EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAILS
AQA GCSE Combined (Trilogy) Science
AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics
 
All content and course information can be found on the AQA website.
 
All exams will constitute 100% of the final GCSE grades.  In order to accommodate the greater volume of content, Separate Science exams are longer: 
Combined: 1 hour 15 minutes Separate Science:  1 hour 45 minutes.
 
Combined Science and Separate Science will sit exams in the same format:
Biology:  2 exams Chemistry: 2 exams Physics: 2 exams
 
WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?
Both Combined and Separate Science GCSEs allow students to progress onto A-level studies. Sidmouth College (and most other FE course providers) requires a minimum of two Grade 6s to be accepted onto science courses. Although not compulsory, a Grade 6 in Mathematics is also  preferred. This course will also enable students to go on to Level 3 BTEC courses.
 
FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL?
There is a vast number of science based careers for students to follow, for which this course will be suitable including, but not limited to, medicine, nursing and midwifery, veterinary surgery and science, clinical research, laboratory research, engineering, robotics, genetic engineering, sports science and environmental management.  Science also provides a wide range of transferrable skills required by employers, including the public and armed services.
 
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
We provide opportunities to buy discounted revision guides that go alongside this course.


Combined Science
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WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
Combined Science provides the foundations for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future development, and all students will be taught essential aspects of knowledge, processes and uses of science. Students will study a combination of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and results in two linked Science GCSE grades*.  Those students not studying Triple Science will study Combined Science as part of the College’s core curriculum.
 
EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAILS
In line with the changes made by Government to GCSE Science, Combined Science is a new GCSE course from the AQA exam board.
 
Exams and assessment:
Students will sit 6 exams in the summer of Year 11, comprising 2 exams each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  These exams will constitute 100% of the final GCSE grades.
 
WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?
The Combined Science GCSE is designed to give students access to all three Science A levels and other courses in further education, but students will need to achieve a minimum grade to be accepted onto these courses. This course will also enable students to go on to Level 3 Science BTEC courses.
 
FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL 
There is a vast number of science based careers for students to follow, for which this course will be suitable including, but not limited to, veterinary science, nursing, medicine clinical research, laboratory research, engineering, computing, environmental management and work in public and armed services. Science also provides a wide range of transferrable skills required by employers. 
 
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
We provide opportunities to buy revision guides that go alongside this course.
*Under the new GCSE grading system, Combined Science students will be awarded two paired grades 9-9, 9-8 through to 2-1 and 1-1

Contact Head of Department, Mrs Janet Ritchie for further information: