GCSE study in science provides the foundations for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all students will be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. They will begin to appreciate how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a small number of key ideas relating to the sciences which are both interlinked and of universal application.

The LCHS Science department provides two routes through Key Stage 4 that offer the greatest benefit to all our students. The route taken by a student will depend on the guidance of his/her subject teachers and the Head of Science.

OCR Gateway Science Suite - Combined Science A

The course is divided into topics, each covering different key concepts of Science. Teaching of practical skills is integrated with the theoretical topics. The course aims to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. As part of the curriculum there will be at least 16 mandatory practical activities. The course provides two GCSE grades in Science from 9-9 to 1-1. The assessment includes: 15% of exam marks that will test the understanding of practical work and 20% of exam marks will test mathematical skills.

This will suit you if you are the type of student who:

· is interested in real world Science,

· has attainment grades of 9-1,

· wants to keep A Level options open for both Full A level options and BTEC Biomedical or Applied Science courses.

OCR Gateway Science Suite – (Triple Science) Biology A, Chemistry A, Physics A

This course provides three single GCSE grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. As part of the curriculum there will be at least 8 mandatory practical activities per science. This course provides GCSE grades in each science from 9 to 1. Within each science the assessment includes: 15% of exam marks that will test the understanding of practical work and 20% of exam marks that will test mathematical skills.

 

This will suit you if you are the type of student who:

 

· is a highly motivated and independent learner,

· has good conceptualisation and analytical skills,

· is thinking of Science A Levels followed by Higher Education at university,

· has a current attainment grade of 3 or higher.

Students will be selected based on the progress grade and aptitude based on their Attitude to Learning status in their science lessons. Final decisions on who takes Triple Science will be made in Year 10.