Curriculum
Combined Science
GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) is the basic all-round science course suitable for all abilities and learning styles. It covers all of the core concepts needed for an understanding of science in the real world and is the course choice for those who want to keep their options open.  This GCSE Science option is taken by the majority of students. It builds on the Key Stage 3 curriculum and covers the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Science at Key Stage 4. It encourages students to explore, explain, theorise and model in science and develops a critical approach to scientific evidence.
Separate Sciences
GCSE Triple Award Science covers the separate GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics content. Our route ensures a thorough and in-depth preparation for further study into any area of Science at Post 16
The course is academically demanding and a certain level of scientific attainment and independent learning is essential.
Curriculum overview
Please note, additional knowledge related to Triple Science has been highlighted in bold italic text within the overview.
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Ìý | Autumn 1Ìý | Autumn 2Ìý | Spring 1Ìý | Spring 2Ìý | Summer 1Ìý | Summer 2Ìý |
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7Ìý | Crime Scenes:Ìý – Investigate a crime scene and use evidence to find the culprit using the following topics:Ìý – Paper chromatographyÌý – Extracting DNAÌý – Distance time graphsÌý Ìý Matter:Ìý – The particle modelÌý – States of matter and changes in stateÌý – Cooling Curves – steric acidÌý – DiffusionÌý – Gas PressureÌý – Pure substances and mixturesÌý – Evaporation and distillationÌý – ChromatographyÌý | Cells and Organisation:Ìý – Levels or organisationÌý – Plant and animal cellsÌý – Unicellular organismsÌý – Specialised cellsÌý – Observing cellsÌý – Skeletal SystemÌý – Muscles and movementÌý – Movement of substancesÌý | Introduction to Forces:Ìý – Introduction to forcesÌý – Balanced and unbalanced forcesÌý – Calculating speedÌý – Distance time graphsÌý – GravityÌý Ìý Energy:Ìý – Energy in foodÌý – Energy resourcesÌý – Energy and powerÌý – Energy transfersÌý – Energy dissipationÌý | Energy:Ìý – Energy in foodÌý – Energy resourcesÌý – Energy and powerÌý – Energy transfersÌý – Energy dissipationÌý Ìý Ecology:Ìý – Food chains and websÌý – Disruption to food chains and websÌý – EcosystemsÌý – CompetitionÌý – Flowers and PollinationÌý – Fertilisation and PollinationÌý – Seed DispersalÌý | Sound and Light:Ìý – Sound waves and speedÌý – Frequency and amplitudeÌý – Sound waves and energyÌý – The ear and hearingÌý – LightÌý – ReflectionÌý – RefractionÌý – The eyeÌý – ColourÌý | Sound and Light:Ìý – Sound waves and speedÌý – Frequency and amplitudeÌý – Sound waves and energyÌý – The ear and hearingÌý – LightÌý – ReflectionÌý – RefractionÌý – The eyeÌý – ColourÌý Ìý Acids and Alkali:Ìý – Acids and AlkaliÌý – Indicators and pHÌý – Acid strengthÌý – NeutralisationÌý – Making saltsÌý |
8Ìý | Acids and Alkali:Ìý – Acids and AlkaliÌý – Indicators and pHÌý – Acid strengthÌý – NeutralisationÌý – Making saltsÌý Ìý Reproduction:Ìý – VariationÌý – Animal adaptionsÌý – AdolescenceÌý – Reproductive systemÌý – FertilisationÌý – A new lifeÌý – Menstrual cycleÌý | Sound and Light:Ìý – Sound waves and speedÌý – Frequency and amplitudeÌý – Sound waves and energyÌý – The ear and hearingÌý – LightÌý – ReflectionÌý – RefractionÌý – The eyeÌý – ColourÌý | Chemical Reactions:Ìý – Chemical ReactionsÌý – More about ElementsÌý – Chemical reactions of metals and non-metalsÌý – Metals and acidsÌý – Metals and OxygenÌý – Metals and waterÌý – Displacement ReactionsÌý Ìý Electromagnets:Ìý – Magnets and magnetic fieldsÌý – ElectromagnetsÌý – Using electromagnetsÌý | Forces and pressure:Ìý – Friction and dragÌý – Squashing and stretchingÌý – MomentsÌý – Pressure in gassesÌýÌý – Pressure in liquidsÌý – Pressure in solidsÌý Ìý Earth and the Atmosphere:Ìý – Global warmingÌý – The carbon cycleÌý – Climate changeÌý – Extracting metalsÌý – RecyclingÌý | The Periodic Table:Ìý – Elements and atomsÌý – Periodic tableÌý – Group 1Ìý – Group 0 and 7Ìý – CompoundsÌý – Chemical formulaeÌýÌý – Ceramics and polymersÌý | Human Biology:Ìý – Gas exchangeÌý – BreathingÌý – Smoking and alcoholÌý – DrugsÌý – Nutrients and unhealthy dietÌý – Food testsÌý – Digestive systemÌý |
9Ìý | Energetics:Ìý – Atoms in a chemical reactionÌý – Conservation of massÌý – Exothermic and endothermic reactionsÌý – CombustionÌý – Thermal decompositionÌý – Energy level diagramsÌý – Bond energiesÌý Ìý Inheritance and Variation:Ìý – Natural SelectionÌý – Charles DarwinÌý – ExtinctionÌý – Preserving BiodiversityÌý – InheritanceÌý – DNAÌý – GenesÌý – Genetic ModificationÌý Ìý Earth and the Atmosphere:Ìý – Global warmingÌý – The carbon cycleÌý – Climate changeÌý – Extracting metalsÌý – RecyclingÌý Ìý Waves:Ìý – Sound waves, water waves and energyÌý – Radiation and energyÌý – Modelling wavesÌý | Bioenergetics:Ìý – Aerobic respirationÌý – Anaerobic respirationÌý – FermentationÌý – BiotechnologyÌý – PhotosynthesisÌý – LeavesÌý – Investigating photosynthesisÌý – Plant mineralsÌý Ìý Transferring Energy:Ìý – Work done and machinesÌý – Energy and temperatureÌý – Energy transfer: conduction and convectionÌý – RadiationÌý Ìý Human Biology:Ìý – Gas exchangeÌý – BreathingÌý – Smoking and alcoholÌý – DrugsÌý – Nutrients and unhealthy dietÌý – Food testsÌý – Digestive systemÌý | Electromagnets:Ìý – Magnets and magnetic fieldsÌý – ElectromagnetsÌý – Uses of electromagnetsÌý Ìý Forces:Ìý – Introduction to forcesÌý – Mass and weightÌý – Resultant forcesÌý – Newtons first lawÌý – Newtons second lawÌý – Newtons third lawÌý – Distance time graphsÌý Ìý Cell Biology:ÌýÌý – Animal and plant cellsÌý – Investigating cells with a microscopeÌý – Specialised cellsÌý – Discovering cells and DNAÌý Ìý Periodic Table of Elements and Atomic Structure:Ìý – Atomic structureÌý – Group 1 metalsÌý – Group 7 and group 0Ìý – Writing formulaeÌý – Conservation of massÌý – Balancing equationsÌý – Making saltsÌý | Organ Systems:ÌýÌý – Circulatory systemÌý – Respiratory systemÌý – Reproductive systemÌý – Nervous systemÌý Ìý Chemistry investigative skills:Ìý – Writing a methodÌý – Planning a risk assessmentÌý – Designing a results tableÌý – Collecting dataÌý – Data processingÌý – Data analysisÌý Ìý Electricity:ÌýÌý – Symbols and chargeÌý – CurrentÌý – Potential differenceÌý – ResistanceÌý – Series circuits and parallel circuitsÌý | Plant Biology:ÌýÌý – PhotosynthesisÌý – Plant anatomy and leaf structureÌý – Plant adaptationsÌý – Flowers and pollinationÌý – Fertilisation and germinationÌý – Food productionÌý Ìý Physics investigative skills:ÌýÌý – Writing a methodÌý – Planning a risk assessmentÌý – Designing a results tableÌý – Collecting dataÌý – Data processingÌý – Data analysisÌý | Matter:ÌýÌý – Atoms, elements and compoundsÌý – Pure and impure substancesÌý – Separating mixturesÌý – Purifying waterÌý – ChromatographyÌý Ìý Energy:ÌýÌý – Energy stores and systemsÌý – Energy transfersÌý – Dissipation and reducing unwanted energy transfersÌý – Calculating energy efficiencyÌý – Renewable energyÌý – Non-renewable energyÌý Ìý Biology Investigative skills:Ìý – Writing a methodÌý – Planning a risk assessmentÌý – Designing a results tableÌý – Collecting dataÌý – Data processingÌý – Data analysisÌýÌý |
10Ìý | Atomic Structure:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý | Bonding, structure and the properties of matter:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý | Particle Model of Matter:Ìý – Intro to particle model (particle model, how to draw it), DensityÌý – Changes of state and internal energyÌý – Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacityÌý – Changes of state and specific latent heatÌý – Particle motion in gassesÌý Ìý Organisation:Ìý – DiffusionÌý – OsmosisÌý – Active TransportÌý – Surface AreaÌý – Gas Exchange SurfacesÌý – EnzymesÌý – Digestive SystemÌý – Digestive EnzymesÌý – Structure of the HeartÌý – Blood and Blood VesselsÌý – Coronary Heart DiseaseÌý Ìý Chemical Changes:Ìý – pH scale and neutralisationÌý – Strong and Weak acidsÌý – Reactions of acids with metalsÌý – Making SaltsÌý – Reactivity SeriesÌý – Oxidation and reduction in terms of electronsÌý – Metal Oxides and extraction of metalsÌý – Introduction to electrolysisÌý – Electrolysis of molten ionic compoundsÌý – Electrolysis of aqueous solutionsÌý – Required practical: Electrolysis of aqueous solutionsÌý – Extraction of aluminium using electrolysisÌý | Chemical Changes:Ìý – pH scale and neutralisationÌý – Strong and Weak acidsÌý – Reactions of acids with metalsÌý – Making SaltsÌý – Reactivity SeriesÌý – Oxidation and reduction in terms of electronsÌý – Metal Oxides and extraction of metalsÌý – Introduction to electrolysisÌý – Electrolysis of molten ionic compoundsÌý – Electrolysis of aqueous solutionsÌý – Extraction of aluminium using electrolysisÌý Ìý Atomic Structure:Ìý – The structure of an atomÌý – Mass number, atomic number and isotopesÌý – Development of the model of the atomÌý – Radioactive decay and nuclear radiationÌý – Nuclear equationsÌý – Half lives and the random nature of radioactive decayÌý – Radioactive contaminationÌý Ìý Energy Changes:Ìý – Endothermic and exothermic reactionsÌý – Reaction profilesÌý – Energy change of reactions (Bond Energies)Ìý Ìý Infection and Response:Ìý – Health and Risk FactorsÌý – Studying Bacterial DiseasesÌý – Studying Viral DiseasesÌý – Studying Fungal DiseasesÌý – Malaria (A Protist Disease)Ìý – Protecting the BodyÌý – White Blood CellsÌý – VaccinesÌý – Antibiotics and PainkillersÌý – Making New DrugsÌý | Forces:Ìý – Forces – Scalars, vectors, contact, non-contact and resultantÌý – Distance and displacementÌý – SpeedÌý – VelocityÌý – Distance time graphsÌý – AccelerationÌý – Velocity-time graphs (+ tangents)Ìý – Calculations and motion (v2-u2 = 2 x a x s)Ìý – Weight, Mass (plus centre of mass) and GravityÌý – Resultant forcesÌý – Newtons first lawÌý – Newton’s second lawÌý – Terminal velocityÌý – Newtons third lawÌý – MomentumÌýÌý – Keeping safe on the road, braking distance and reaction timesÌý – Forces and energy in springs (Hooke’s Law)Ìý | Rate and Extent of Chem Reactions:Ìý – Collision TheoryÌý – Calculating rate of reactionÌý – Factors affecting rates of reactionsÌý – Reversible reactions and energy changesÌý – EquilibriumÌý – Effect of changing concentration and temperature on equilibriumÌýÌý – The effect of changing pressure on equilibrium 2Ìý Ìý Homeostasis and Response:Ìý – HomeostasisÌý – The Nervous SystemÌý – Reflex ActionsÌý – The Endocrine SystemÌý – Controlling Blood GlucoseÌý – DiabetesÌý – Negative Feedback (Thyroxine and Adrenaline)Ìý – Human ReproductionÌý – ContraceptionÌý – IVFÌý |
11Ìý | Forces:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý | Organic Chemistry:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý In addition to the above topics triple students will also cover the following:Ìý | Variation and Evolution:Ìý – VariationÌý – Theory of EvolutionÌý – Origin of Species (Natural Selection)Ìý – Antimicrobial ResistanceÌý – Selective BreedingÌý – Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified CropsÌýÌý – Fossil Evidence and ExtinctionÌý – ClassificationÌý Ìý Electromagnetism:ÌýÌý – Poles of a magnet, compassesÌý – Magnetic fields (combined with lesson 1 for HT and Triple)Ìý – ElectromagnetismÌý – Flemmings left hand ruleÌý – Magnetic Flux densityÌý – Electric motorsÌý Ìý Using Resources:ÌýÌý – Using the Earth’s resources and sustainable developmentÌý – Potable waterÌý – Required Practical: Analysis and purification of water samplesÌý – Waste water treatmentÌý – Alternative methods of metal extractionÌýÌý – Life cycle assessment and recyclingÌý Ìý Ecology:Ìý – EcosystemsÌý – Biotic and Abiotic FactorsÌý – Competing for ResourcesÌý – Food Chains and Food WebsÌý – Adaptations in AnimalsÌý – Adaptations in PlantsÌý – The Water CycleÌý – The Carbon CycleÌý – Land UseÌý – DeforestationÌý – Global WarmingÌý – Waste Management and PollutionÌý – Maintaining BiodiversityÌý | Mock examinationsÌý Embedding disciplinary knowledgeÌý | Embedding disciplinary knowledgeÌý | Ìý |
KS4 COURSE
WHAT CAN SCIENCE LEAD TO?
(Combined Science) GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) gives you a good grounding in Science. Success in Combined Science can provide access to A-Level Science courses, including Applied Science, Applied and Human Biology and Psychology. In the long term, if you decide to pursue your scientific studies, it can lead to an almost limitless number of job opportunities. Highly qualified scientists are very much in demand and their skills are required in many jobs.Ìý
(Separate Sciences) Provided the required grades are attained at the end of the course, GCSE Triple Award Science provides a basis for studying A-level Science courses; as a general rule a GCSE grade 6 is required.
Students who achieve Grade 5 will be offered the opportunity to study our BTEC (Level 3) qualifications Applied Science or Applied and Human Biology
Examples of careers that GCSE Triple Award Science may lead to are:Ìý
- Medical SciencesÌý
- Pharmaceutical SciencesÌý
- PathologyÌý
- Forensic SciencesÌý
- EngineeringÌý
- Environmental SciencesÌý
- Research ScienceÌý
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
(Combined Science) The Combined Science GCSE is examined by six 1 hour 15 min written examinations, each of which is worth 16.7%. There are two examinations on each subject – Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each examination paper will include multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response questions. There are 21 required practical’s that are delivered throughout the course. There will be questions relating to these practical’s on the written examination papers.
(Separate Sciences) GCSE Triple Award Science students will sit all of their Science exams at the end of Year 11. Students will receive separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and will be graded using the 9-1 system.
The three GCSE Sciences will be taught in a parallel way, offering a flexible solution to gaining the Science qualifications required for a variety of Post 16 Science courses.
There are no Controlled Assessments; instead there are required practicals that are completed throughout normal Key Stage 4 Science lessons and are then examined as a part of the examinations at the end of Year 11. Students will be regularly assessed throughout Key Stage Four; this information will be used by Science staff to inform progress in relation to Target Grades and also tier of entry.
WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED?
(Combined Science) Mathematics skills are now included in the assessment of all GCSE science qualifications. A minimum percentage of marks must be allocated to assessing mathematical skills at an appropriate level of difficulty, in line with new rules and guidance from the Department for Education.
Basic Practical skills developed in KS3 will be needed to complete a series of ‘required practicals’, which all students must complete over the duration of the course, and which are tested along with theoretical science content in the six examinations.
(Separate Sciences) Due to the demands of the course a student must have achieved level 6 consistently throughout Key Stage 3 Science.
Students must have also demonstrated a good academic ability within their KS3 Mathematics and English.
Students not fulfilling this criterion will be offered the choice of GCSE Double Award Combined Science.
Students will be expected to work independently and continually act upon the feedback of their classroom teacher in order to make the progress that is required of them. There is an expectation that students will complete all class and home work to the best of their ability as well as reading around the subject and attending Study Support in order to enhance their classroom experience.
Miss Fitzpatrick
Completed a BSc in Applied and Human Biology with Hons at Aston University. Has taught at Ïã¸ÛÈý¼¶Æ¬ since 2014 and led the Science department since 2017.