Students must meet the minimum entry requirements for the Vocational or Combination study pathway. In addition, students must have GCSE Grade 4-4 in Combined Science OR Grade 4 in Biology, Chemistry or Physics (or equivalent at BTEC Level 2).

This is an exciting course at Bourne Academy that gives students the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to prepare for employment or higher education. The course has both academic content in the form of an exam and strong vocational context in the coursework. This course is ideal for students who have an interest in Science but may not want to specialise in one particular area and / or have a particular interest in practical work.

This is a vocational course so the teaching will be set within a real-life context, ensuring that students can make clear industry associations.

YEAR ONE

Unit 1 – Principles and Applications of Science

• Periodicity and properties of elements
• Structure and function of cells and tissues
• Waves in communication

Unit 2 – Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

• Undertaking titration and colourimetry to determine the concentration of solutions
• Undertaking calorimetry to study cooling curves
• Undertaking chromatographic techniques to identify components in mixtures
• Review of personal development of scientific skills for laboratory work

YEAR TWO

Unit 3 – Science Investigation Skills

• Planning a scientific investigation
• Data collection, processing and analysis and interpretation
• Drawing conclusions and evaluation
• Enzymes in action
• Plants and their environment
• Energy content of fuels
• Electric circuits

Unit 9 – Human Regulation and Reproduction

• The interrelationship and nervous control of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
• The homeostatic mechanisms used by the human body
• The role of hormones in the regulation and control of the reproductive system

Students will work to a brief and be given clear assessment criteria so they can be confident on what is expected to achieve a Distinction / Merit / Pass. Students final grade will be calculated from a culmination of the points collected across all units. If sufficient points have been awarded from all components of the course, students are able to achieve a Distinction* overall.

Throughout the course, students will be well supported by teachers who will give feedback on progress against the key assessment criteria.

Across the course students will complete units that are assessed in a variety of ways. There are three different types of assessment: coursework (internally assessed), tasks and written examination (both externally assessed).

YEAR ONE

Unit 1 – Principles and Applications of Science

• Externally assessed written examination

Unit 2 – Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

• Assessed through assignments and tasks in coursework

YEAR TWO

Unit 3 – Science Investigation Skills

• Externally assessed task

Unit 9 – Human Regulation and Reproduction

• Assessed through assignments and tasks in coursework

The BTEC National Extended Certificate is a Level 3 qualification which is the equivalent to one A-level and widely recognised by universities and employers.

Previous students have moved on to, or are aspiring towards degree courses in Midwifery, Nursing, Forensic Science, Criminology, Sport Science and careers as a Paramedic and Pathologist.