Our bespoke KS3 Science course equips students for the rigour of GCSE Science and, as such, develops scientific working skills alongside the theory that supports transition to KS4 at the end of Year 9.
Over the three years of KS3, students will learn the fundamentals of the three science disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics through small units umbrellaed under an overarching concept. This allows students to build on previous knowledge throughout the course, with regular assessment to monitor academic progress (please see our curriculum map for further detail). It is our aim to develop students' curiosity for the world around them and to leave KS3 fully equipped for independent learning on their journey through KS4.
We begin our GCSE journey in Year 10 at Plympton Academy.
KS4 Science spans two years (Yr 10-11) and all GCSE assessments take place in May/June of Year 11.
We follow the AQA Combined Science course where students achieve two grades at the end of year 11.
Throughout the course there is a practical element. This is no longer examined as a coursework element. Instead, questions relating to practicals, undertaken during lessons, appear throughout each exam paper.
There are six exam papers sat at the end of Year 11; two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics assessments.
See the AQA link for full specification details.
At Plympton Academy we have four options for further education and exploration in the Sciences.
Please see further information below on the courses available and the GCSE requirements for these courses.
This is a two year course leading to an A Level qualification.
Biology is a fascinating course which builds upon GCSE and covers a wide variety of topics, including cell structure and microscopy, the anatomy and physiology of mammals and plants, Biodiversity and Ecology as well as the biochemistry of respiration and photosynthesis. It develops statistical skills and challenges your understanding.
A Level Biology can lead to a huge variety of career options and it is always highly valued as one of the hardest and core A Level subjects.
If you want to develop and nurture your love of the living world, whilst building a variety of analytical and thinking skills, then Biology is the subject for you.
Minimum GCSE entry requirements
Combined Science (Trilogy) - grade 6-6
Maths - grade 6
English - grade 6
Exam board and code
Teaching Time
10 hours of teaching time per fortnight.
Expectations for homework and revision - 15 hours per week
Modules
Assessment
Papers will be sat in May/June of Year 2 (Year 13).
Careers
Research scientist, Pharmacologist, Biologist, Ecologist, Biotechnologist, Forensic Biologist, Neurologist, Nature Conservation Officer, Biomedic, Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Veterinary Medicine...
This is a two year course leading to an A Level qualification.
Chemistry is everywhere!
Results in Chemistry can be groundbreaking, colourful, explosive and sometimes difficult to see.
Chemists use their experiments and knowledge to develop medicines, foods, fabrics and other materials from neon lights to shatterproof glass. They also use it to study the world around us, from leaf colour change to analysing invisible matter.
Chemistry is often known as the ‘central science’ because it helps to connect physical sciences (Physics and Mathematics) with applied sciences (Biology, Medicine and Engineering). If you are interested in the Chemistry of inorganic and organic matter and looking for an exciting and interesting challenge then Chemistry is definitely the subject for you!
Minimum GCSE entry requirements
Combined Science (Trilogy) - grade 6-6
Maths - grade 6
Exam board and code
Teaching Time
10 hours of teaching time per fortnight.
Expectations for homework and revision - 15 hours per week
Modules
Assessment
Papers will be sat in May/June of Year 2 (Year 13).
Careers
Chemistry will help you in all STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects and careers, and more besides. Examples include: Medicine, Environmental Science, Engineering, Nanotechnologist, Clinical Scientist, Dentistry, Toxicology, developing perfumes and cosmetics, Teaching, Software development and research.
There are many career opportunities available and Chemistry is highly favoured in all further education platforms.
This is a 2-year course leading to an A Level qualification. It is a fascinating course which builds on GCSE and covers a wide variety of topics in Physics, including Space Physics and Medical Physics. It develops determination, mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities, and can lead to a huge range of careers options. A Physics A Level is highly valued by employers, trainers and universities alike. It can lead to careers in almost any industry, from engineering and medicine to accountancy, business and education. If you want to develop your thinking skills, your earning potential and have a sound understanding of the world around you, this is the course to choose!
Minimum GCSE Entry Requirements
GCSE Combined Science - Grade 6-6
GCSE Mathematics - Grade 6
Exam board and code
Teaching Time
10 hours of teaching time per fortnight.
Expectations for homework and revision - 15 hours per week
Modules
Assessment
Papers will be sat in May/June of Year 2 (Year 13).
Requirements of the course
Combined Science Trilogy - Grade 5-5 or above
Mathematics - Grade 5
Exam board
Pearson
Units studied
Year 12
Unit studied | How is it assessed? |
|---|---|
Unit 1- Principles and applications of Science -90 GLH | 3 x 40 minute exams. 1 biology 1 chemistry 1 physics. |
Unit 2- Practical scientific procedures and techniques -90 GLH | 4 Assignments-. 3 are based around specific practical techniques. 1 is a review of the skills developed across the previous 3 assignments. |
Year 13
Unit studied | How is it assessed |
|---|---|
Unit 3- Scientific investigation skills 120 GLH | 1 exam (90 mins)- which is based around practical skills. There is a practical investigation which has to be undertaken prior to the exam. |
Unit 8- Physiology of human body systems 60 GLH | 3 Assignments. 1. Muscular-skeletal system. 2. Lymphatic system 3.Digestive system. |
Past students who studied Applied Science have gone onto careers in nursing, paramedicine, physiotherapy and many more.
Teaching Team
You will have two/three teachers who will deliver the course material and assess your work.
Miss Hagan will internally verify a sample of assignment work completed by the class.
A Standards Verifier (external person appointed by Pearson) will check a sample of assignment work to ensure that national standards are being met.
Teaching and learning
This will be done through delivery of structured lessons, informal and formal assessments and external assessments.
You will be able to access support in the same way that you would do for any other qualification in school.
It is important that you seek support when needed.
Assessment and Verification
All BTEC qualifications are regulated by rules regarding the management of the quality of assessment of learning and the awarding of grades. You will not be expected to complete a formal assessment to demonstrate your understanding of a topic, or part of a topic, until all relevant teaching has been completed.
Internal Assessment
The content of the assessment will be outlined on an Assignment Brief; the design of these will be explained when relevant in the programme delivery. For every assessment there will be a clear deadline by which the work must be submitted to your assessor (teacher). There is a submission policy in place for BTEC assignments. However, it is also understood that under certain conditions it might be appropriate to allow a learner an additional opportunity to achieve more.
You must understand that for the Lead Internal Verifier of your course to be able to authorise a resubmission these conditions must be met:
A learner has handed in their initial submission by the published deadline (or applied for an extension in line with published procedures)
A learner has confirmed that their submission was their own work and/or appropriately acknowledged another’s work
The assessor has authenticated the learner’s submission and believes that the learner can improve their submission independently with no further teaching
Your work will be marked within two weeks, following that a sample of the assessments will be checked by another member of the teaching team to ensure the grading is fair and accurate. Once this has been completed you will be given your grade for that assignment and feedback which will help you to improve and develop your skills.
External Assessment
To meet the needs and feedback of employers and Higher Education there has been an increase in the rigour and robustness to the way BTECs are assessed. This comes through the introduction of external assessment i.e. Pearson formally marks and grades external units. The aim of external assessment is to help prepare learners to fulfil their potential in either the world of work or progress to further study.
The external units on your qualification will be assessed through a written examination which lasts for 1.5 hrs.
Malpractice/plagiarism
You will be asked to sign a learner declaration for each piece of coursework submitted. This is you signing to say that the work submitted is your own.
You need to be aware of plagiarism and ensure that your work is your own.
In all cases your teacher will advise you on how work should be presented and on appropriate sources of information that could be used.