Science
Years 7, 8, 9 and 10
Year 7 follows 'Science Works' course Book1: they have one member of staff for Science and take their 'Science' lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics labs as appropriate.Year 8 follows 'Science Works' course Book2: they have one member of staff and take their 'Science' lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics labs as appropriate.
Year 9 follows a different Science course, 'Framework Science' to integrate those pupils coming into the school at this stage and ensure that all are at the same point by the Easter of Year 9. At this time the iGCSE course is started. Although the KS3 National Curriculum is followed closely the school no longer takes the KS3 SAT assessments. Internal assessments, including school examinations in December and July, are made throughout the course.
Year 10 - Pupils are free to select whether or not they take Separate Sciences or Double Award, these informed decisions are made during Year 9.
The iGCSE, or AQA 'Certificate in Science', is the exam taken for both 'Double Award' Science and 'Separate Sciences': Biology, Chemistry or Physics. The separate sciences engage in more depth but the early material is the same in both courses.
The extra teaching time for the 'Separate Science' courses comes from the GCSE 'Option block' and consequently one fewer humanity/language/artistic subject is taken by those pupils who opt for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
There are two terminal examinations for iGCSE Science or Separate Sciences at the end of Year 11.
There is not coursework or internal assessment of practical skills; the assessment of practical knowledge and skills is an integral part of the terminal assessment papers. Consequently, and paradoxically, we can do more practical work as this is not assessed by any other means and we do not have to spend a term preparing for the GCSE practical assessments or ISAs.
The majority of this year's Year 10 (47 students) have started an iGCSE course that will lead to 'Separate Science' qualifications after two years of study, the rest (32 students) are taking the iGCSE 'Double Award'.
We feel that the Separate Science route is a better preparation for 'A' level - and this year that the more demanding iGCSE course is even more so compared with the 'old GCSE' course and even the proposed 'new' GCSE course.
Year 11. At present in Year 11 we have students who are taking AQA GCSE 'Separate Sciences' (around 30), AQA 'Additional Science' (Double Award) Science (around 49) and just four only taking AQA 'Science'.
This is the last year in which GCSEs whether 'Science', 'Additional Science' (Double Award) or Separate Sciences 'Biology', 'Chemistry', and 'Physics'.
The examinations are modular and there is an internal assessment component involving an ISA - a written paper.
For more details of all qualifications please see www.aqa.org.uk
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National Schools' Biathlon semi-final
Sunday, 05 February 2012
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recent news
Young Chemists from Durham School win through to represent our region
Royal Society of Chemistry National Schools Quiz March 2012
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Testimonials
"Congratulations on a superb evening at The Sage Gateshead. I have been involved in several House Music competitions but have never seen such a high standard as was achieved by your pupils. I also thought that the support your boys and girls gave each other was terrific."
Peter Craggs, Newcastle Prep School
