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Some notes on KS4 Science

Some notes on KS4 Science. Below are slides taken from presentations which have been used to explain how the AQA Science courses are structured and how these courses are delivered at The Kingsway School

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Some notes on KS4 Science

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  1. Some notes on KS4 Science • Below are slides taken from presentations which have been used to explain how the AQA Science courses are structured and how these courses are delivered at The Kingsway School • Understanding the GCSE course structure and delivery is by no means easy. Members of the science department are readily available to answer any further queries

  2. AQA Science at Kingsway • Core for all students in Y10 • Core and Additional Science leading to two separate awards for some students • Core and Additional Applied Science leading to two separate awards for other students • Separate sciences still available; completing Core + Additional + ‘unit 3’ 2

  3. Science Units External 75% Internal 25% Core P1 B1 C1 PRAC Additional PRAC B2 P2 C2 B3 C3 P3 Separate PRAC PRAC PRAC 3

  4. GCSE Science (Core) • Method of external assessment for GCSE Science • Science A • Objective tests (multiple choice) • Externally set and marked (tiered) • 2 x 30 minute tests per subject (biology, chemistry and physics (ie. 6 in total) • available three times a year 4

  5. Internally Assessed Unit • Practical work is an essential part of science education and should be carried out by all students • Involves activities in which candidates collect data • Combination of • Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) 6 marks • Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) 34 marks 5

  6. PSA • Holistic skills assessment • Implementation skills • Assessed during the course • Six point scale (0-6) with three descriptors (2, 4 and 6 marks) • Using apparatus in an appropriate way • Working in a methodical and organised way • Working with due regard for safety and well being of living organisms 6

  7. ISA – Data Collection • ISAs provided by AQA • There will be at least two ISAs for Core and Additional • Before written test candidates undertake practical work under normal classroom conditions, during which they collect data. • Teachers keep collected data ready for the written part of the ISA 7

  8. ISA - Written test • Written test is taken in a subsequent lesson • Under examination conditions • Test externally set • Internally marked to AQA marking guidance • Test completed in 45 minutes • Section 1 - questions relating to candidate’s own data -20 marks (maximum) • Section 2 - questions relating to another set of data based on same topic – 14 marks (minimum) 8

  9. GCSE Additional Science • ‘Natural Science’ flavour • Reduced content with still some science for scientific literacy • Maintaining progression to GCE AS • Three content units + internal assessment unit B2 Biology C2 Chemistry P2 Physics We aim to deliver this course to students who have demonstrated a keenness and ability in the academic aspects of the course and may wish to study A level science 9

  10. GCSE Additional Science continued • External Assessment • Tests (tiered) with structured questions • Externally set and marked • 3 x 45 minute (B2 C2 P2) • Taken in June 10

  11. GCSE Separate Sciences (1) • Three additional content units B3 Biology C3 Chemistry P3 Physics GCSE Biology B1 B2 B3 GCSE Chemistry C1 C2 C3 GCSE Physics P1 P2 P3 • ‘Continuity of content’ with present specs 11

  12. Applied Science • One year (Y11) course • 60% portfolio internally marked and moderated • 40% exam in June • Suited to students who are willing to broaden their scientific interest by looking at the relevance of science in society • More vocational than academic • Well suited to methodical students, with good attendance who enjoy project work

  13. Exams and assessment - Core • Y10 core exams: two in November, March and June (total 6) (75% of GCSE) • Y10 separate scientists: three in November and March (total 6) (25% of each GCSE) • Two ISAs in Y10, one in Y11. Best mark towards GCSE. Date selected by classroom teacher. ISA 25% of GCSE

  14. Additional Science • Additional Science ISA in Y11 (two taken – best mark used) 25% of GCSE • Three 45 minute exams in June of Y11 (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) 75% of GCSE • Separate science students take three 45 minute exams in January of Y11 (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) 25% of each GCSE

  15. Finishing Separate Science • From January to June study ‘unit 3’ • Three 45 minute ‘unit 3’ exams in June (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) 25% of each GCSE • Best ISA at any point in Y10/Y11 from biology, chemistry and physics 25% of each GCSE

  16. Applied Science • Portfolio – first half term Y11 ‘science in the workplace and health and safety’ 20% of the GCSE • Portfolio – investigation in forensics, food science or sports science. Best one used for 40% of the GCSE completed by March • Mock exam March; real exam June worth 40% of the GCSE

  17. The language • The Y10 course has two ‘phrases’ How Science Works and Substantive content • ‘How science works’ or ‘procedural content’ seeks to engender scientific approach. It seeks ‘the thinking behind the doing’ . The key ideas relating to evidence that underpin scientific practice. Reliability and validity and how much we can trust our scientific data

  18. The language continued • Substantive content are the elements or scientific facts which have been selected to form the framework on which to study ‘how science works’

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