Science (Dual Award & Separate Sciences) - GCSE

Summary of GCSE Science options at Lansdowne College

There are three blocks or UNITS 1, 2 and 3 for each of biology, chemistry and physics - resulting in pupils being awarded either two or three GCSE grades:

OPTION A: ‘Double Award’ Science (Two GCSE grades)

GCSE (Core) Science (Unit 1) AQA (Option A): 4461 1 GCSE

This is the first term of the rapid one year course, or the whole year for the (Year 10) two year course.

Students normally go onto the ‘Additional Science’ (Unit 2) course after this – however if a student needs to terminate at this stage, or maybe has been less successful on the ‘Additional Science’ (Unit 2) course, the single ‘Science’ GCSE can be cashed in, giving ONE GCSE grade.

Most students will continue onto:

GCSE Additional Science (Unit 2) AQA: 4463 1 GCSE

This is the second term of the one year course or the whole year of the (Year 11) two year course.

Most students then have TWO INDEPENDENT GCSE GRADES (each one being a mixture of Biology, Chemistry and Physics material) – the grades (A* to G) can be the same or different

OR 

OPTION B: Separate Sciences (Three GCSE grades)

By following one extra extension Unit 3 in each of the separate sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, able students can achieve THREE separate GCSE grades, one for each science (It’s possible that a student may take all or one/two of the three subjects).
 

GCSE Biology AQA 4411 1 GCSE                                     ‘grades can be the

GCSE Chemistry AQA 4421 1 GCSE                                   same or different

GCSE Physics AQA 4451 1 GCSE                                       for each subject’

Separate sciences have the advantage for students...

• Who are academically able.
• Giving better preparation for A level.
• Can pursue the sciences in greater depth and may offer a more satisfying course.

Disadvantages of the separate sciences route...

• Unless all 3 subjects are followed the science course is ‘unbalanced’, the National Curriculum recommends all 3 subjects at GCSE to an appropriate level.
• Typical GCSE students are better taking a ‘Double Science’ course – they will probably achieve higher grades.
• Making a choice that limits the breadth of the science course to less than 3 subjects at GCSE e.g. just biology and chemistry separate subjects, may restrict career choices.

We recommend...

• Students take Science and Additional Science (Double Award) – in line with the majority of UK students; they will not be disadvantaged when applying for University.
• Only able science students with an excellent track record take three separate Sciences.
• And will discourage but not prohibit students taking just one or two separate sciences