A Level Biology (AQA)

Aims of the course:

To encourage students to develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of Biology and how they relate to each other, to develop and demonstrate a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods.  Develop competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem solving skills and to develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject. As well as to understand how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.

Course Content:

The topics covered are 1. Cell biology, 2, Organisation, 3.  Infection and response,                       4. Bioenergetics, 5. Homeostasis and response, 6. Inheritance, 7. variation and evolution, 8. Ecology as well as Key ideas.

Assessment:

The A level course is assessed by 100% examination as 3 papers. Paper 1 includes content from topics 1–  4, including relevant practical skills written exam: 2 hours worth 35% of A-level. Paper 2 includes content from topics 5 – 8, including relevant practical skills written exam: 2 hours  worth 35% of A-level. Paper 3 covers any content from topics 1– 8, including relevant practical skills,  written exam: 2 hours worth 30% of A-level.

Encourage your son /daughter to:

Carry out regular independent study at home.  Students are loaned textbooks and revision guides to support their self study. They are provided with a full lesson by lesson overview of the course to enable them to pre read before lessons as well as follow up lesson with exam questions .  We regularly set past paper questions to prepare them for the demands of the A level examinations.  All students also have access to Kerboodle an online revision resource.

Where required, passwords have been provided to students directly.  For further support please contact the school. 

A Level Chemistry (AQA)

Aims of the course:

The course encourages students to develop their interest in and enthusiasm for chemistry including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject. They will use theories, models and ideas to develop scientific explanations, use knowledge and understanding to pose scientific questions, define scientific problems, present scientific arguments and scientific ideas, use appropriate methodology, including information and communication technology (ICT), to answer scientific questions,  carry out experimental and investigative activities, analyse and interpret data to provide evidence, recognising correlations and causal relationships, evaluate methodology, evidence and data, and resolve conflicting evidence.

Course content:

Inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry including atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, acids and bases, redox, kinetics.

Assessment:

The A level course is assessed by 100% examination as 3 papers. Paper 1 includes content from physical and inorganic chemistry, including relevant practical skills written exam: 2 hours worth 35% of A-level. Paper 2 includes content from physical and organic chemistry, including relevant practical skills written exam: 2 hours  worth 35% of A-level. Paper 3 covers any content from all topics, , including relevant practical skills,  written exam: 2 hours worth 30% of A-level. 

Encourage your son /daughter to:

Carry out regular independent study at home.  Students are loaned textbooks and revision guides to support their self study. They are provided with a full lesson by lesson overview of the course to enable them to pre read before lessons as well as follow up lesson with exam questions .  We regularly set past paper questions to prepare them for the demands of the A level examinations.  All students also have access to Kerboodle an online revision resource.

Where required, passwords have been provided to students directly.  For further support please contact the school. 

A Level Physics (AQA)

Course content:

The course contains units on Measurements and their errors, Particles and radiation, Waves, Mechanics and materials, Electricity, Further mechanics and thermal physics , Fields and their consequences,  Nuclear physics and Option unit is Turning points in physics.

Assessment:

The A level course is assessed by 100% examination as 3 papers. Paper 1 includes content from section 1-5, including relevant practical skills written exam: 2 hours worth 34% of A-level. Paper 2 includes content from sections 6-8, including relevant practical skills written exam: 2 hours  worth 34% of A-level. Paper 3 covers any content from all topics and an option section including relevant practical skills,  written exam: 2 hours worth 32% of A-level. 

Encourage your son /daughter to:

Carry out regular independent study at home.  Students are loaned textbooks and revision guides to support their self study. They are provided with a full lesson by lesson overview of the course to enable them to pre read before lessons as well as follow up lesson with exam questions .  We regularly set past paper questions to prepare them for the demands of the A level examinations.  All students also have access to Kerboodle an online revision resource.

Where required, passwords have been provided to students directly.  For further support please contact the school. 

Applied Science (BTEC)

Aims of the course:

Applied Science covers aspects of all three sciences, but with an approach which is more vocational. Along with the scientific knowledge acquired throughout the course students will also build the skills necessary to gain employment in a scientific workplace. This includes general skills such as report writing and meeting deadlines, along with more specialised practical techniques and health and safety procedures. 

Course content:

BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Applied Science (1 year)	BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science (2 years)
Unit 1 – Principles and Applications of Science I Unit 2 – Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques Unit 3 - Science Investigation Skills Unit 8 – Physiology of Human Body Systems	The units studied for the Extended Certificate plus: Unit 4 - Laboratory Techniques and their Applications Unit 5 - Principles and Applications of Science II Unit 6 - Investigative Project Unit 14 – Applications of Organic Chemistry

Assessment:

Units 1 & 5 – External Exams

Unit 1 comprises three 40 minute exams amd unit 5 three 50 minute exams.  Both unit 1 and 5 are divided into Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics.

Unit 3 – Assessed practical work and linked exam Students have a period of 3 hours to complete a practical set by the exam board which is subsequently followed up by a 90 minute exam based around the experiment they have carried out and general investigative skills.

Units 2, 4, 6, 8 & 14 – Assessed coursework.

These assignments are internally assessed by staff and take a variety of forms such as reports, investigative write-ups and presentations.

Encourage your son /daughter to:

Use the eBook available on Pearson ActiveLearn to support and enhance your work

Revise for examined units using the revision guide which you will be allowed to borrow from the school for the duration of your studies.

Read through all assignment briefs thoroughly to ensure work is completed to the correct standard prior to submission.

Where required, passwords have been provided to students directly.  For further support please contact the school.