KEY STAGE 4

SCIENCE - Single and Double Award

Examination Board: CCEA

INTRODUCTION

Single Award and Double Award Science offer pupils the opportunity to be inspired, motivated and challenged by a broad, practical and worthwhile course of study. They encourage them to develop their curiosity about the living, material and physical worlds and provides insight into and experience of how science works.

Through studying either specification, pupils:

  • gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the material, physical and living worlds;
  • gain understanding of the nature of science and its applications and the interrelationships between science and society;
  • develop an understanding of the importance of scale in science;
  • develop and apply their knowledge and understanding of the scientific process through hypotheses, theories and concepts;
  • develop their understanding of the relationships between hypotheses, evidence, theories and explanations;
  • develop awareness of risk and the ability to assess potential risk in the context of potential benefits;
  • develop and apply their observational, practical, enquiry and problem-solving skills and understanding in laboratory, field and other learning environments;
  • develop their skills in communication, mathematics and the use of technology in scientific contexts; and
  • acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and its essential role in society.

Single Award Science

Pupils study the fundamentals of each of GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The overall course is equivalent to one GCSE.

Double Award Science

Pupils study approximately two thirds of the content of each of GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Pupils are awarded a double grade overall which is equivalent to two GCSEs, e.g. A*A or BC.

Tier of Entry

The decision on which Tier you will be entered for will be taken in the second term of Year 12, after the Mock Examinations, and will depend on the level you have reached over the two years of study.

Key Points / Double Award / Single Award
Time allocation / The equivalent time given to two GCSE options, divided equally between the three disciplines. / The equivalent time given to 1½ GCSE options, divided equally between the three disciplines.
Grade and tiers of entry / FoundationBB - GG
Higher A*A* - DD / FoundationB - G
Higher A* - D
Practical Skills / Pupils enter two controlled assessment tasks from a choice of 3-6. The two tasks must come from different subject areas within the specification.
Internally marked and externally moderated. / Students carry out two
pre-releasepractical tasks (from twoof Biology, Chemistry and Physics)in the final year of study.7.5% of Final Marks
Written Examination / Six written units:
2 Biology, 2 Chemistry and
2 Physics. / Four written units:
1 Biology, 1 Chemistry,
1 Physics and 1 Practical Skills
Final Marks / Written Papers:
2 Biology, 2 Chemistry and
2 Physics
Totalling 75%
Controlled Assessment - 25% / Written Papers:
Biology – 25%
Chemistry – 25%
Physics – 25%
Practical Skills – 17.5%
Homework / Two per week. / One per week

Who should choose Double Award or Single Award Science at GCSE?

All pupils are expected to select at least one Science-related GCSE. Double Award Science will be appropriate for those pupils who have a broad interest in Science, rather than enjoying and performing highly in one particular discipline. It covers the three disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics but does not go into quite as much depth in some topics, thereby enabling pupils who would not consider Science one of their top subjects to have a greater chance of success at GCSE. Double Award Science enables progression to A Level Sciences provided a top grade is achieved. Experience of recent years suggests that pupils of average ability are more likely to gain better grades in Double Award Science then in one or two separate science GCSEs.

Single Award Science will be appropriate for those pupils who also have a broad interest in Science but who have found it a more challenging subject at Key Stage 3. It covers the basics of Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSE and is equivalent to one GCSE overall. Single Award Science does not enable progression to an A Level Science course.

Single Award Science, like Double Award, counts as two choices on the Options Form. This provides both extra time to study Science as well as some additional timetabled support in Mathematics.