Year 10
In Year 10 the GCSE courses study common topics as listed below.Biology elements of the course:
- variety of life, adaptation & competition
- monioring the environment, energy flow & nutrient transfer
- inheritance
- variation
- evolution
- response & regulation
- health
Chemistry elements of the course:
- elements and the Periodic Table
- compounds
- metals
- non-metals
- reactions of acids
- production & uses of fuels & plastics
- the ever-changing earth
Physics elements of the course:
- generation of electricity
- transmission of electricity
- energy supply and the home
- energy transfer
- the characteristics of waves
- ionising radiation
- solar system & its place in an evolving universe
Year 11
In Year 11 the courses differ somewhat but here are the common topics:
Biology elements of the course:
- cells & cell processes
- substances enter & leave cell through cell membrane
- photosynthesis
- respiration
- digestion
- respiratory system
- biodiversity & environment
Chemistry elements of the course:
- atomic structure & the Periodic Table
- reactions of alcali metals and halogens
- chemical bonding, structure & properties
- rate of chemical change
- basic organic chemistry
- chemical calculations
- water
Physics elements of the course:
- simple electrical circuits
- distance, speed & acceleration
- effects of forces
- interactions between objects
- half-life of radioactive materials and nature of nuclear radiations
- nuclear structure, fission & fusion
In addition, the GCSE Separate Sciences course studies:
Biology elements of the course:
- plants, water & nutrients
- blood & circulation
- nervous system
- rôle of kidney in homeostasis
- microorganisms & disease
- microorganisms & their applications
Chemistry elements of the course:
- additional organic chemistry
- reversible reactions, industrial processes & important chemicals
- titration & mole calculations
- limestone
- chemical analysis
Physics elements of the course:
- Electromagnetism
- properties of waves & their use in investigating the structure of the earth
- motion
- kinetic theory
- origin of chemical elements
How are the GCSE’s assessed?
Assessment
| |
Written, external examination*
| Controlled Assessment
(practical)
| Separate
Sciences
|
Biology 2
Chemistry 1
Physics 1
|  | At the end of Year 10
|
Biology 1
Chemistry 2
Physics 2
| | January Year 11
|
Biology 3
Chemistry 3
Physics 3
| | At the end of Year 11
|
Every external, written examination is available in two Tiers: Foundation Tier (which allows grades C to G) and Upper Tier (which allows grades A* to C). The Controlled Assessments (practical) are all on the same tier. A good mark in the practical tasks can allow a Foundation Tier candidate to gain a B grade overall (as long as their written paper marks are good).
*Every written exam is 45 minutes long. The elements of the written paper are worth 75% of the final grade. The practical tasks are worth 25% of the final grade