Castle Manor Academy

GCSE Separate Sciences

Subject Overview

Studying the separate sciences means students will cover more content than GCSE Combined Science. All the GCSE Separate Sciences will provide great preparation for A-level science study, without overlapping content. Each separate science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) will provide a single GCSE qualification.

Course Information

The three sciences will cover the same topics as Combined Science: Trilogy, but with additional content.

BiologyChemistryPhysics
Cell biology
Organisation
Infection and response
Bioenergetics
Homeostasis and response
Inheritance, variation and evolution
Ecology
Atomic structure and the periodic table
Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
Quantitative chemistry
Chemical changes
Energy changes
The rate and extent of chemical change
Organic chemistry
Chemical analysis
Chemistry of the atmosphere
Using resources
Forces
Energy
Waves
Electricity
Magnetism and electromagnetism
Particle model of matter
Atomic structure
Space physics

Assessment

Assessment is linear, so there are examinations in the summer of year 11 for each separate science. There are 2 papers for each subject, each accounting for 50% of the single science GCSE award. There are 8-10 required practicals per separate science, assessed through the exam papers. Exams are available for each subject in both foundation and higher tier papers.

Progression

GCSE Separate Sciences prepares students for a range of post-16 routes and courses such as A level Biology, Chemistry or Physics courses. Whilst providing access to careers, such as medicine, veterinary medicine, law, engineering, architecture, chemical and biomedical engineering.