SCIENCE

at Penwortham Girls’ High School

GCSE Science• Completed in Year 10– July 2008 Coursework

• Should we choose our children Case Study• Size of Craters Data Analysis

– January 2009 Unit 1 B1, C1, P1 17%– June 2009 Unit 2 B2, C2, P2 17%– June 2009 Unit 3 B3, C3, P3 17%– June 2009 Ideas in Context 17%

• A grade will be awarded in Year 11 for GCSE Science• All students have achieved the qualification of GCSE Science

provided sat all modular examinations.

33%

GCSE Additional Science• Completed in Year 11– July 2009 Coursework • Full Practical Investigation – 33%

– January 2010 Unit 1 B4, C4, P4 17%– June 2010 Unit 2 B5, C5, P5 17%– June 2010 Unit 3 B6, C6, P6 17%– June 2010 Ideas in Context 17%

• This is the second GCSE in Additional Science

BTEC• BTEC First Certificate in Applied Science– 3 units• Biology• Chemistry• Physics

– 100% Continual assessment in small projects• Clear guidelines as to pass, merit and distinction

criteria• Continual feedback with opportunities to improve

• BTEC pass is equivalent of 2 Grade C GCSEs

Differences

• There are many areas that are covered in the GCSE Science and we will repeat to enhance subject knowledge and complete coursework.

• The following slides compare the Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics taught in both GCSE Science and Additional Science with the BTEC Applied Science.

BiologyGCSE Science & Additional Science

• B1 You and Your Genes• B2 Keeping Healthy• B3 Life on Earth• B4 Homeostasis• B5 Growth and

Development• B6 Brain and Mind

BTEC Applied Science• Classification of Living

Organisms• Interdependance between

organisms and environment• Inheritance, variation and

evolution• Human Health

ChemistryGCSE Science & Additional Science

• C1 Air Quality• C2 Material Choices• C3 Food Matters• C4 Chemical Patterns• C5 Chemicals around us• C6 Chemical Synthesis

BTEC Applied Science• Atomic structure and

properties of elements and compounds

• Chemical Reactions• Organic Chemistry• The Earth and the

environment

PhysicsGCSE Science & Additional Science

• P1 Earth n the Universe• P2 Radiation for Life• P3 Radioactive Materials• P4 Explaining Motion• P5 Electric Circuits • P6 Wave model of Radiation

BTEC Applied Science• Energy and Energy Transfer• Waves and Radiation• Electricity• Astronomy

Why Change?• Students that have been invited are more likely to

succeed at BTEC than GCSE Additional Science.• Students will have greater success on their

applications showing sustained commitment to a qualification.

• Students that would achieve grade C or higher and intend to continue their science studies at A’ level should not choose BTEC.

• Students with BTEC First Certificate will be looked at more favourably for continued study on BTEC towards the Diploma in Science.