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Science GCSE Arrangements - Year 10

This year all Year 10 students started their new GCSEs in either Biology/Chemistry/Physics (Triple) or Science/Additional Science (Double). At Hinchingbrooke we follow the AQA Specification (2011).

As you are aware there have been a lot of changes surrounding Science GCSEs over the last year and we would like to take this opportunity to explain how these changes affect your son/daughter.

Year 10 Triple Scientists

Students in the following sets are following the Triple Science courses, leading to GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics:

10Ann, 10Bla, 10Cha, 10Eli, 10Whi, 10Som, 10Rut and 10 Nod. ( see student timetable for set information)

These triple scientists will not sit any examinations until June 2014. At this time all students will sit three 1 hour modules per subject – Biology, Chemistry and Physics. As a result they will sit nine exams for science in total.

These changes reflect the fact that all Science GCSEs are now linear and are examined in the final exam session of each Year 11 student. There will consequently be no retake opportunities for these modules. The only exception is to retake all 3 modules plus the controlled assessment in Summer 2015 (basically to do the whole GCSE again).

Controlled assessment

The controlled assessment in Science is now composed of 5 components (collectively referred to as an ISA):

  1. Research on a given topic title
  2. Completion of a research sheet
  3. Written Paper 1 (including table drawing)
  4. Practical work and graph drawing
  5. Written Paper 2

All the components (except the initial research) must be completed in School under the supervision of the classroom teacher. As a result, little or no work related to the controlled assessment will come home.

Each student following the Triple course will need to complete one ISA per GCSE subject. The dates the ISAs will run in school are as follows:

  • Biology: 8th January 2013 to 1st February 2013
  • Physics: 15th April 2013 to 24th May 2013
  • Chemistry: 3rd June 2013 to 28th June 2013

Please add these dates to your calendar to ensure that your child revises in good time and is properly prepared.

Year 10 Double Scientists

 Students in the following sets are following the double science courses, leading to GCSEs in Science and Additional Science:

10Hod, 10Gal, 10Med and 10Fle. (please see student timetable for set information)

The students will complete one full GCSE in June 2013 (Science) and the second full GCSE in June 2014 (Additional Science).  In both cases each student will sit a biology, chemistry and physics module for each exam.

Just like the triple scientists there is no opportunity to retake any of the modules. The controlled assessment component is identical to the triple scientist except that they need only 2 ISA’s one for the Science GCSE and one for the Additional Science GCSE.

The date the ISA will run in School is:

  • 5th November 2012 – 16th November 2012

If you have any queries, please contact either your child’s Science teacher in the first instance, or Mrs Waring or Mr Pinder in the Science Office (Ext. 5773).

Mrs Waring smw@hinchbk.cambs.sch.uk or,

Mr Pinder mip@hinchbk.cambs.sch.uk