Biddenham International School and Sports College

Department Overview

Science at Biddenham allows students to develop their understanding of the subject and how it affects the world around us. We give students the opportunity to learn key concepts both practically and theoretically. We run many extra-curricular clubs and activities in Science and regularly take students on trips to help further their scientific understanding.

Science is taught at key stage 3 across two years and involves students learning about key topic areas across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

At key stage 4 all students will start separate science courses which will give them a GCSE in each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

At A level students will have a chance to study each of the three sciences in greater depth over a two year course.

Subject Learning Journey

Who to contact for extra information:

Ms Drake
chloe.drake@biddenham.beds.sch.uk

Assessments

Science - Key Stage 3

Combined Science - Key Stage 4

Three mini End of Topic tests per term.

100% written exam and six papers for all students.
Paper 1: Units 1-3 Biology
Paper 2: Units 4-6 Biology
Paper 3: Units 1-3 Chemistry
Paper 4: Units 4-6 Chemistry
Paper 5: Units 1-4 Physics
Paper 6: nits 5-8 Physics

All papers assess the core practicals. There are higher and foundation tiers available for both combined and separate sciences.

Biology - Key Stage 4

Biology - Key Stage 5

Year 9: Synoptic assessments once a term
Year 10: Synoptic assessments in the first two terms, followed by full Paper 1 PPE (pre-public exams) in the summer
Year 11: Synoptic assessments and full Paper 2 PPE (pre-public exams)

GCSE
Paper 1: Units 1-3 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)
Paper 2: Units 4-6 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)

Three written exam papers at the end of year 13.

Paper 1: Modules 1-4 (year 1) (2 hours, 91 marks, 35%)
Paper 2: Modules 5-8 (year 2) (2 hours, 91 marks, 35%)
Paper 3: Modules 1-8 (both years) (2 hours, 78 marks including 25 mark synoptic essay, 30%)

Teacher-assessed practical endorsement throughout course.

Chemistry - Key Stage 4

Chemistry - Key Stage 5

GCSE
Paper 1: Units 1-3 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)
Paper 2: Units 4-6 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)

Three written exam papers at the end of year 13.

Paper 1: Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (2 hours 15 mins, 100 marks, 37%)
Paper 2: Synthesis and analytical techniques (2 hours 15 mins, 100 marks, 37%)
Paper 3: Unified Chemistry (1 hour 30 mins, 70 marks, 26%)

Teacher-assessed practical endorsement throughout course.

Physics - Key Stage 4

Physics - Key Stage 5

GCSE
Paper 1: Units 1-4 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)
Paper 2: Units 5-8 (written exam, 1 hour 45 mins, Higher or Foundation)

Three written exam papers at the end of year 13.

Paper 1: Modelling Physics (2 hours 15 mins, 100 marks, 37%)
Paper 2: Exploring Physics (2 hours 15 mins, 100 marks, 37%)
Paper 3: Unified Physics (1 hour 30 mins, 70 marks, 26%)

Teacher-assessed practical endorsement throughout course.

Exam Board Information

GCSE OCR Gateway Combined Science

GCSE OCR Gateway Biology GCSE OCR Gateway Chemistry GCSE OCR Gateway Physics A level Biology AQA A level Chemistry OCR A A level Physics OCR A