‘Let your Light Shine’
Single Sciences
St Robert of Newminster
GCSE Biology (8461)
GCSE Chemistry (8462)
GCSE Physics (8463)
Year 10 curriculum
In Year 10 practically all students will study the following:

English Language and English Literature (4)
Maths (4)
RE (2)
Science (4)
Core PE (1) (students can also add a PE option)
PSHE (1)

Plus additional subjects…
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Year 10 curriculum (Sept 2017)
Plus:
Subject A - History or Geography (2) (all)
 Subject B – French (Spanish) (3) (EBacc MFL)
 Subject C - your choice (2)
 Subject D - your choice (2)

What does taking Triple Science
mean?
Sci Sci Sci Sci C C D D
Y Y
X X X X
Y Y Y Y X X
The Purpose of This Evening

Your son/daughter will need to decide on
their GCSE Science option

Two choices available:
 Combined Science (leading to two GCSEs)
 Single Science (leading to three GCSEs)
What Is The Difference?
AQA GCSE Combined Science:
Trilogy
AQA GCSE
Biology/Chemistry/Physics
4 hours of Science per week
6 hours of Science per week
6 exams in May/June 2019
6 exams in May/June 2019
2 exams per subject
2 exams per subject
Each paper lasts 1 hour 15
minutes and accounts for
16.7% of GCSE
Each paper lasts 1 hour 45
minutes and accounts for 50%
of each GCSE subject
Students will gain two GCSEs
at the end of the course –
graded 1 - 9
Students will gain three GCSEs
at the end of the course –
graded 1 - 9
Selection Process

Aimed at students who have a passion for science and
enjoy exploring the subject outside of school

Offered to students who have shown they respond well to
a challenge, are willing to work independently outside of
the classroom and are prepared to put the extra work
needed to complete an extra GCSE

Initial invitation has been aimed at students who have
shown the best achievement in science over the academic
year
What you can expect?

Specialist teachers that show enthusiasm towards
teaching and have a detailed knowledge and
understanding of their specialist subject

Support and guidance throughout the course to help
develop their scientific understanding and inspire them
to further their interest in science beyond their studies

Hands-on learning - students are now required to
complete ten practical activities per subject over the
two year course
What We Expect

Attitude: Single Science is an accelerated course, which adds a
greater depth to students scientific knowledge and understanding. It
is more demanding than Combined Science so students must have
the correct attitude towards their studies

Effort, Inside and Outside the Classroom: homework tasks
are an essential element of learning and must be completed to the
best of each student’s ability

Hard work: preparation for assessments is very important.
Students should treat internal assessments like real exams and
prepare thoroughly.This enables their teachers to accurately
determine areas of misunderstanding and give useful advice and
support

Resources: revision guides are very useful in supporting each
student’s learning and will be available to purchase, at reduced cost,
from the department
Structure Changes

Single award content is no longer taught
as a separate unit

Extra content is integrated into Combined
Science schemes

This content is aimed at deepening
student’s understanding and helps bridge
the gap between GCSE and A level
Additional Content - Biology
Culturing Microorganisms
 Plant Disease
 The Brain
 The Eye
 Plant Hormones
 DNA Structure
 Cloning
 The Theory of Evolution

Additional Content - Chemistry
Properties of Transition Metals
 Properties of Matter and Nanotechnology
 Titrations
 Chemical Cells & Fuel Cells
 Synthetic Polymers
 Using Materials
 The Haber Process

Additional Content - Physics
Static Electricity
 Hazards of Radioactivity
 Nuclear Fission & Fusion
 Moments, Leavers & Gears
 Pressure in Gasses and Hydraulic Systems
 Lenses
 Space Physics

Structure Change

Investigative Skills Assessments (ISAs) have
gone

Instead students will complete a series of
practical activities to develop their scientific
thinking skills

Single Science students will carry out two more
practical activities per subject than
Combined Science students (a total of thirty)
Life Beyond GCSE

Studying single sciences will be an
advantage if your son/daughter intends to
study an A level science

The course will introduce A level content
earlier and also lay the foundations for
science beyond St Robert’s for a Higher
Education course in a science discipline
Other Things To Consider

Does your son/daughter intend to study
Biology, Chemistry, Physics or any science
related degree at University?

Do they want to lose a subject option by
choosing Single Science?
Any Questions?