The course is designed to provide the knowledge and understanding with which students need to engage, as informed citizens, with Science based issues. It uses contemporary, relevant contexts. The course is designed to give students an insight into how scientists work.

The content the students cover is as follows:

Biology

• Cell biology
• Organisation
• Infection and response
• Bioenergetics
• Homeostasis and response
• Inheritance, variation and evolution
• Ecology

Chemistry

• Atomic structure and the periodic table
• Structure, bonding, and the properties of mater
• Quantitative chemistry
• Chemical changes
• Energy changes
• The rate and extent of chemical change
• Organic chemistry
• Chemical analysis
• Chemistry of the atmosphere
• Using resources

Physics

• Energy
• Electricity
• Particle model of matter
• Atomic structure
• Forces
• Waves
• Magnetism and electromagnetism
• Space physics

The assessment scheme is designed to allow students to demonstrate their achievement by providing two tiers of entry, Levels 1-5 (Foundation) and Levels 4-9 (Higher).

At the end of Year 11 students will sit 6 examinations in total, 2 Biology, 2 Chemistry and 2 Physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. Each paper consists of 100 marks and is 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Biology

• Paper 1 – Cell Biology, Organisation, Infection and response, Bioenergetics.
• Paper 2 – Homeostasis and response, Inheritance, variation and evolution and Ecology.

Chemistry

• Paper 1 – Atomic structure and the periodic table, Bonding and structure, Quantitative Chemistry, Chemical changes and Energy changes.
• Paper 2 – The rate and exchange of chemical change, Organic Chemistry, Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere, and Using resources.

Physics

• Paper 1 – Energy, Electricity, Particle model of matter, and Atomic structure.
• Paper 2 – Forces, Waves, Magnetism and electromagnetism, and Space physics.

If you achieve grade 9-4 in GCSE Biology, Chemistry or Physics you could study BTEC Level 3 Applied Science (which combines all three of the different sciences) at Bourne Academy Sixth Form.

If you achieve grade 9-7 in GCSE Biology and 9-6 in GCSE Maths you could study A-level Biology at Bourne Academy Sixth Form.

If you achieve grade 9-7 in GCSE Chemistry and 9-7 in GCSE Maths you could study A-level Chemistry at Bourne Academy Sixth Form.

If you achieve grade 9-7 in GCSE Physics and 9-7 in GCSE Maths you could study A-level Physics at Bourne Academy Sixth Form.

Those who follow the sciences will find themselves extremely employable in positions such as environmental science, mechanics, research and development, engineering, medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, pharmaceuticals and architecture to name but a few.