Thomas Peacocke Community College
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Coursework - 33.3%
Written Examination - 66.6%
Exam Board: OCR
Science is not one of the choices you have at GCSE level – everyone does either double science leading to two GCSEs, or if you are following the vocational path, single science which leads to one GCSE. We have started a new course called 21 st Century Science. The idea behind this course is that everyone needs some scientific knowledge to cope with the science that shapes our lives as householders, technology users, parents, voters, patients, consumers or citizens.
GCSE Science, the core of the course that everyone follows, explores the main themes of science in a way that will encourage you to appreciate the importance of science in your everyday life. It will encourage you to think about how scientific information helps you to make informed decisions about issues you may meet, like mobile phone safety, stem cell research or childhood vaccinations. This is science for citizens. If you are on the vocational route, this is the course that you will follow through years 10 and 11.
GCSE Science is assessed by module tests (66.6%) and coursework (33.3%). For double science, the module tests are in January and June of year 10, and for single science they are in June of year 10, and January and June of year 11.
The course work consists of a case study, which is a report on a current issue, (like gene therapy or cloning) which is worth 20% of the overall mark, and a piece of practical work which is worth 13.3% of the mark.
For most students following the double award science course, the second (separate) GCSE is applied science, which follows the ideas of science through three topics – agriculture and food, harnessing chemicals and materials and performance. Each module is tested and is worth 16.7% of the total mark.
Coursework consists of
We are also hoping to provide triple science next year. If you achieve level 6 or above in your Key Stage 3 science SAT, you will be offered the chance to take three GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This would be the best route if you are seriously thinking about studying the sciences at sixth form college, or beyond. It is hard work, since three GCSE subjects are studied in the time we have for two, but it is very rewarding.
So, in summary
You will be doing a variety of different home learning tasks through this course, for example, researching topics on the internet or other media, practice questions, weighing up evidence, completing case studies, even watching TV programmes.
The skills that you will learn in science are important for almost every aspect of life in an increasingly scientific and technical world – the course is actually designed to help you to make science based decisions in everyday life (and there are a lot of them!). Many courses at college and employers ask for science simply for the skills it gives you, and it can also provide you with 2 GCSEs to help you gain that college place. There are, though, many career paths that actually require a science qualification, like sports science and physiotherapy, careers in medicine including doctors, nurses, midwives, nutritionists and pharmacists. Teachers, vets and veterinary nurses, meteorologists, dentists, engineers, pilots, technicians in broadcasting and computer technicians all need a science qualification, and there are many more where it will give you an edge over the competition, like the police, the merchant navy, management in leisure services, beauticians or the armed services.
Finally, it is important to understand that if you want to do a course, or follow a career that needs science, or has some scientific content (for example, in health care or sports science), this may not be possible if you have not studied double science at GCSE.
