Our curriculum in Science reflects our ethos statement, Excellence for All; aiming to develop the very best scientists. We intend to give students the best education to inspire the next generation of critically curious individuals who seek to understand the world around them and engage with the science around us, even for those choosing not to proceed with a scientific career beyond GCSE.
Our ambitious curriculum is knowledge-rich while empowering and facilitating the application of scientific skills. The spiralling, interleaved curriculum ensures students not only develop a breadth of knowledge across Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but have adequate opportunity to build a deep understanding throughout their learning journey by linking prior knowledge and new content, making learning stick. Students develop a love of science by debating ethical issues including the use of stem cells in research, the impact of the human race on biodiversity and the overuse of fertilisers. Discussing big ideas including renewable energy, endangered species and the application of nanotechnology allows science to be brought to life.
Scientists at Thorpe have the opportunity to undertake practical investigations to build on their acquired knowledge and develop their scientific thinking. This gives students the opportunity to become confident applying skills including recording, analysing and representing data, drawing conclusions and evaluating methods. In addition, we support students in developing their scientific literacy enabling students to use excellent vocabulary orally and in written communication.
While our curriculum is rooted in the national curriculum and students are challenged to achieve the very best outcomes, we recognise the social importance of science which extends far beyond that which is taught in school.
We aim to enrich students' learning by connecting relevant ideas, careers and engaging moments throughout the curriculum. We also explore the contribution of a diverse range of scientists who have made profound contributions to the scientific community throughout history. We provide enrichment opportunities for pupils including external visits, guest speakers and career talks. Students also have the opportunity to undertake the Youth Stemm Award through our extracurricular STEMM club or compete in the F1 for schools competition. Students may participate in the Salters Chemistry Festival, Medical Mavericks, the Chemistry Olympiad, the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, and the Norfolk Science and Technology Challenge Day.
GCSE Combined Science vs GCSE Triple Science
Students opting to study Triple Science will achieve a GCSE qualification for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In Combined Science, students receive two GCSEs made up of a combination of the three sciences. Both qualifications have the same number of exams (six) albeit they are a little longer for Triple Science, as these qualifications cover a little more scientific content. Combined Science is the standard qualification offered to students at TSAS, while Triple Science can be selected as part of the preferences options. Triple Science is recommended for students who are sure they wish to pursue science beyond GCSE, however, many careers and employers look for the types of skills that Triple Science develops even if you aren’t utilising scientific knowledge directly. These include: resilience, critical curiosity, problem solving, effective communication, forming judgements, making connections, abstract thinking, as well as the ability to work safely. There is no coursework in either GCSE; instead there are required practical experiments that students must experience and examination papers will include questions directly related to these techniques. All science GCSEs will have higher and foundation tier papers.
Why study GCSE Combined Science?
GCSE Combined Science is a sought after qualification which enables students to access a wide range of courses at Sixth Form and College. Students who study this should leave school equipped with enough scientific knowledge to make informed life choices in the future. Students who study GCSE Combined Science can go on to study A Level Sciences.
What makes a successful Combined Science student?
Students who want to find out how their body, the world and universe work, the role of science in modern society and how scientific discoveries will affect them during their lives.
What is the structure of the course?
Six examination papers: two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics. Each will assess different topics and all are 1 hour and 15 minutes in length. All examinations take place at the end of Year 11. There is no coursework; instead there are required practical experiments.
There are sixteen required practical experiments. Each specification includes a list of apparatus that students must be able to use and techniques they must be able to demonstrate. Questions in each examination paper directly relate to these practical experiments and techniques.
All science GCSEs will have Higher and Foundation tier papers, however students can only sit all Higher or Foundation papers, there can be no mixing of tiers.
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