Shelfield Sports & Community College

Key Stage 3

In Key Stage 3 we follow the QCA recommended scheme of work using the SCIENTIFICA array of resources. In Years 7 and 8 pupils will attend 3 lessons per week covering Biology, Physics and Chemistry subject matter. In Year 9 students attend 4 lessons in preparation for their SAT exams which are held in early May.

Key Stage 4

Starting from September 2006 the whole of the Science Curriculum for GCSE has changed nationwide. The results of these changed is a whole new range of science GCSE courses.

The aim of the new GCSE's is to ensure that pupils will be studying science that is relevant and up-to-date. There is a choice in the courses which pupils take to prepare them for different career or study routes post-16.

As a department we offer courses from the OCR GCSE Science Suite (Gateway & Applied). These are

- Triple Award GCSE (3 GCSE's)
- Additional Science (2 GCSE's)
- Applied Science (2 GCSE's)
- All students will study a Science course culminating in a single GCSE.

What is triple Science?

You will study Biology, Chemistry and Physics separately and will achieve 3 GCSE's. This is best suited to the more able students who are considering studying at least 1 of the sciences at A-Level

What is Applied Science?

GCSE Applied Science is studied over 2 years and is worth 2 GCSE's it is aimed at providing the technical knowledge and understanding that students will need in the workplace, college or further training. It provides a range of teaching, learning and assessment style to enable students to take charge of their own learning.

If you are thinking of leaving school and taking up an apprenticeship, college vocational course (hairdressing, nursing, child care, car mechanics, engineering etc.) then this is the course for you. You should achieve a level 4 or 5 in your SATs exams (higher levels are also acceptable)

What is Additional Science?

Worth 2 GCSE's (Core & Additional)

Double the content of the Core, but not as much as the Triple Award option suited to able students and worth considering if you enjoy Science and may be continuing with it in some form post-16. A good grounding for many AS/A2 subjects.