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Exam Board: OCR
Level: 2
Course Overview
Gateway Combined Science A is two GCSE qualifications that are studied over three years. During the three years students will study discrete modules of biology, chemistry and physics.
The biology topics are B1: Cell-Level Systems; B2: Scaling Up; B3: Organism-Level Systems; B4: Community-Level Systems; B5: Genes, Inheritance and Selection; B6: Global Changes. The chemistry topics are C1: Particles; C2: Elements, Compounds and Mixtures; C3: Chemical Reactions; C4: Predicting and Identifying Reactions and Products; C5: Monitoring and Controlling Chemical Reactions; C6: Global Challenges. The physics topics are P1: Matter; P2: Forces; P3: Electricity, Magnetism and Magnetic Fields; P4: Waves and Radiation; P5: Energy; P6: Global Challenges . Students will study practical skills as an integral part of each module. At the end of Year 11 students will sit 6 science examinations in total; two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Paper one in each science discipline will test modules 1, 2 and 3 with paper 2 assessing student understanding of modules 4, 5 and 6. Each paper lasts 70 minutes and being equally weighted, each will account for 16.7% of the final grade. Practical skills and scientific literacy will be assessed throughout each paper.
Assessment: 100% examination.
Exam Board: Edexcel
Level: 3
Course Overview
Students will study separate biological, chemical and physical concepts. In unit 2, Students will develop their abilities to independently construct academic reports which relate the theory of taught concepts in unit 1 to vocational scenarios.
Mandatory Units
Assessment of Mandatory Units:
Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science is assessed externally in a 1.5 hour (90 mark) examination paper marked by Edexcel. All students will sit this examination in year 12.
Unit 2: Internal assessment of externally set practical activities and research based on vocational settings.
Unit 3: Is assessed via a practical examination. All students will sit this examination in year 13.
Internally assessed additional unit:
Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems
Assessment: Externally assessed units 1 and 3 contribute 25% and 33% respectively towards the final grade with the internally assessed unit 2 and the optional unit contributing 25% and 17% respectively. It is expected that students attend an externally delivered field studies course to compliment the development of a field practical skills and analysis techniques.
Exam Board: Edexcel
Level: 3
Course Overview
Students will study a large range of biology topics that build upon their experiences at GCSE. This course gives learners the opportunity to study biologically important molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, water and nucleic acids. It serves as an introduction to ecology, emphasising practical techniques and an appreciation of the need to maintain biodiversity. Learners will also gain an understanding of a variety of organisms through microscopy to study the cell structures, investigating responses to stimuli and function, and appreciating interdependence throughout the history of the Earth.
AS Content:
Module 1- Biological Molecules
Module 2 - Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things
Module 3 - Classification and Biodiversity
Module 4 - Exchange and Transport
A Level Content
In addition to AS content
Module 5 - Energy for Biological Processes
Module 6 - Microbiology and Pathogens
Module 7 - Modern Genetics
Module 8 - Origins of Genetic Variation
Module 9 - Control Systems
Module 10 - Ecosystems
There are 2 examinations for the AS qualification (Core Cellular Biology and Microbiology, Core Physiology and Ecology), each of the examinations are worth 50% of the AS course.
There are 3 examinations for the A2 qualification (Advanced Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics; Advanced Physiology, Evolution and Ecology; and General and Practical Principles in Biology), each of the first two examinations are worth 30% of the course whereas General and Practical Principles in Biology is worth 40% of the course.
Assessment: 100% examination, although students will have to demonstrate their practical abilities and attain a practical skill endorsement.
During Years 7 and 8, pupils follow a modified Activate course, which provides them with a fresh, engaging and complete suite of resources designed to bring Key Stage 3 science to life, with a view to the longer-term objective of maximising students’ potential and preparing them for their studies and examinations at Key Stage 4. Pupils are assessed at the end of each topic by sitting a formal written assessment. Homework and classwork are also closely monitored to provide an accurate record of pupil progress.
Term 1
In the first term all communities follow the same pathway through the curriculum, learning discrete modules of biology, chemistry and physics.
Hawking: Working Scientifically, Periodic Table, Particle Model
Turing: Working Scientifically, Periodic Table, Particle Model
Pankhurst: Working Scientifically, Periodic Table, Particle Model
Seacole: Working Scientifically, Periodic Table, Particle Model
Term 2
Hawking: Particle Model, Cells
Turing: Particle Model, Waves
Pankhurst: Particle Model, Forces and Motion
Seacole: Particle Model, Respiration
Term 3
Hawking: Electricity and magnetism, Respiration
Turing: Cells, Forces and Motion
Pankhurst: Respiration, Electricity and Magnetism
Seacole: Forces and Motion, Cells
Term 4
Hawking: Respiration, Waves
Turing: Forces and Motion, Respiration
Pankhurst: Electricity and Magnetism, Cells
Seacole: Cells, Waves
Term 5
Hawking: Forces and Motion, mock examination preparation
Turing: Electricity and magnetism, mock examination preparation
Pankhurst: Waves, mock examination preparation
Seacole: Electricity and Magnetism, mock examination preparation
Term 6
Hawking: Reproduction
Turing: Reproduction
Pankhurst: Reproduction
Seacole: Reproduction
Term 1
Hawking: Periodic Table, Enzymes
Turing: Periodic Table, Energy
Pankhurst: Periodic Table, Pressure
Seacole: Periodic Table, Enzymes
Term 2
Hawking: Chemical Reactions, Energy
Turing: Energy, Enzymes, Chemical Reactions
Pankhurst: Energy, Enzymes
Seacole: Forces and Motion, Separation Techniques
Term 3
Hawking: Mock examination preparation, Energy
Turing: Mock examination preparation, Chemical Reactions
Pankhurst: Mock examination preparation, Separation Techniques
Seacole: Mock examination preparation, Separation Techniques
Term 4
Hawking: Separation Techniques, Pressure
Turing: Pressure, Separation Techniques
Pankhurst: Separation Techniques, Forces and Motion
Seacole: Pressure, Photosynthesis
Term 5
Hawking: Photosynthesis, Forces and Motion
Turing: Forces and Motion, Photosynthesis
Pankhurst: Forces and Motion, Chemical Reactions, Photosynthesis
Seacole: Energy and Chemical reactions
Term 6
Hawking: Forces and Motion
Turing: Photosynthesis
Pankhurst: Photosynthesis
Seacole: Chemical Reactions
In year 9 students begin studying for their GCSE examinations.
There are six examination papers. The key below shows how the different modules will be examined.
|
Examination |
Module codes |
Details |
|
1 |
B1, B2, B3 |
B1 is biology topic one – cell level systems B2 is biology topic two – scaling up B3 is biology topic three – organism level systems |
|
2 |
C1, C2, C3 |
C1 is chemistry topic one - particles C2 is chemistry topic two – elements, compounds and mixtures C3 is chemistry topic three – chemical reactions |
|
3 |
P1, P2, P3 |
P1 is physics topic one – matter P2 is physics topic two – forces P3 is physics topic three – electricity and magnetism |
|
4 |
B4, B5, B6 |
B4 is biology topic four - B5 is biology topic five – genetics and evolution B6 is biology topic six – global challenges |
|
5 |
C4, C5, C6 |
C4 is chemistry topic four – predicting and identifying reactions and products C5 is chemistry topic five – monitoring and controlling chemical reactions C6 is chemistry topic six – global challenges |
|
6 |
P4, P5, P6 |
P4 is physics topic four – waves and radiation P5 is physics topic five – energy P6 is physics topic six – global challenges |
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
Term 5
Term 6
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
All bands will study the following topics:
Term 4
Term 5
Term 6
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
Term 5
Term 6
BBC Bitesize
S-cool Science
Wright Science
OCR - Combined Science
For Year 7 and 8, the following guide is recommended:
CGP KS3 Science Complete Study & Practice – Available from ParentPay for £3
For Years 9-11, the following revision guides and workbooks are recommended:
CGP GCSE Combined Science For OCR Gateway (Grade 9-1) Revision Guide: Foundation/Higher – Available from ParentPay for £6
CGP GCSE Combined Science For OCR Gateway (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Workbook: Foundation/Higher – Available from ParentPay for £6
OSL for Year 11 is held on Tuesday after school (3pm-4pm).