Pathways in GCSE Science
I have tried to summarise the Pathways in GCSE Science handout from ACCAC. (I've used cut & paste)
Summary
New GCSE specifications in the sciences will be introduced for teaching from September 2006. The new GCSEs in science will offer alternative learning and teaching approaches and different assessment opportunities.
The new GCSE specifications will thus provide greater choice in science, providing young people with alternative pathways through science at 14–16, better matched to their interests and aptitudes. The change thus provides schools with a real opportunity to review their science provision at Key Stage 4 and improve the motivation and attainment of a significant number of students.
New teaching and learning opportunities
The new GCSEs in science will provide opportunities to discuss and form opinions about issues of relevance to modern society. The new GCSEs in the sciences will encourage a wider variety of learning and teaching styles in science than is currently possible. This should help make science more enjoyable and relevant to all pupils.
Assessment
There will also be a range of different approaches to assessment. At present, science GCSEs normally have 20% internal assessment represented by the Sc1 coursework. Across different awarding bodies and across specifications within a suite, there will be significant variation in the balance between external and internal assessment and also in the nature and weighting of the internal assessment or coursework.
A wider range of options
What GCSE titles will be available from 2006?
GCSE Science
This is a single GCSE providing an introductory course in fundamental areas of science, covering the ‘core’ requirement. An awarding body might offer different versions, with different approaches and contexts for the teaching of science – traditional, applied, and science for the citizen.
GCSE Additional Science
This builds on GCSE Science and provides additional, balanced coverage of chemistry, physics and biology. The detail of the content will vary across awarding bodies. Different Additional GCSE specifications can also offer different approaches.
GCSE Additional Applied Science
This again builds on the GCSE Science and offers a route with an applied approach, in which the science is taught within vocational contexts. The same approach is found within the Applied Science (Double Award) (see below).
Separate Sciences – GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Each of these includes the relevant content within Science and Additional Science and also includes additional material to make up a separate full GCSE. These three GCSEs taken together would include the ‘core’ content within GCSE Science.
GCSE Applied Science (Double Award)
This covers the ‘core’ requirement. The GCSE Applied Science (Double Award) covers fewer areas of science than the Science and Additional Science combination. This enables teachers to allow sufficient time for the development of pupil’s practical skills and procedures, and for sufficient emphasis to be placed on vocational contexts and applications in which their study is undertaken.
unit based
The new GCSE Science qualifications will be unit based and candidates will have the flexibility to take units from a limited number of pre-determined pathways, increasing flexibility and choice. The diagram below is based on a three unit model: one biology, one chemistry and one physics, and indicates the range of routes which will be possible. (In practice specifications will contain a greater number of units – the model is for illustrative purposes only.)
Units available:
Units available ________________________________Qualifications outcome
_____________Biology 1 __Chemistry1 __Physics 1 __GCSE Science
_____________Biology 2 __Chemistry2 __Physics 2__GCSE Add'l Science
_____________Biology 3 __Chemistry3 __Physics 3 __
Qualifications __GCSE____GCSE______GCSE
outcome______Biology__Chemistry___Physics
The framework of units will allow pupils to combine units either horizontally (to give GCSE qualifications in science) or vertically (to give GCSE qualifications in the separate sciences) but not both to avoid ‘double credit’ for units. Pupils can follow options in applied science, leading to either a single GCSE or to a double award.
The statutory requirement in science at Key Stage 4
The national expectation that the substantial majority of pupils study the equivalent of two GCSEs in science will remain.
Summary
New GCSE specifications in the sciences will be introduced for teaching from September 2006. The new GCSEs in science will offer alternative learning and teaching approaches and different assessment opportunities.
The new GCSE specifications will thus provide greater choice in science, providing young people with alternative pathways through science at 14–16, better matched to their interests and aptitudes. The change thus provides schools with a real opportunity to review their science provision at Key Stage 4 and improve the motivation and attainment of a significant number of students.
New teaching and learning opportunities
The new GCSEs in science will provide opportunities to discuss and form opinions about issues of relevance to modern society. The new GCSEs in the sciences will encourage a wider variety of learning and teaching styles in science than is currently possible. This should help make science more enjoyable and relevant to all pupils.
Assessment
There will also be a range of different approaches to assessment. At present, science GCSEs normally have 20% internal assessment represented by the Sc1 coursework. Across different awarding bodies and across specifications within a suite, there will be significant variation in the balance between external and internal assessment and also in the nature and weighting of the internal assessment or coursework.
A wider range of options
What GCSE titles will be available from 2006?
GCSE Science
This is a single GCSE providing an introductory course in fundamental areas of science, covering the ‘core’ requirement. An awarding body might offer different versions, with different approaches and contexts for the teaching of science – traditional, applied, and science for the citizen.
GCSE Additional Science
This builds on GCSE Science and provides additional, balanced coverage of chemistry, physics and biology. The detail of the content will vary across awarding bodies. Different Additional GCSE specifications can also offer different approaches.
GCSE Additional Applied Science
This again builds on the GCSE Science and offers a route with an applied approach, in which the science is taught within vocational contexts. The same approach is found within the Applied Science (Double Award) (see below).
Separate Sciences – GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Each of these includes the relevant content within Science and Additional Science and also includes additional material to make up a separate full GCSE. These three GCSEs taken together would include the ‘core’ content within GCSE Science.
GCSE Applied Science (Double Award)
This covers the ‘core’ requirement. The GCSE Applied Science (Double Award) covers fewer areas of science than the Science and Additional Science combination. This enables teachers to allow sufficient time for the development of pupil’s practical skills and procedures, and for sufficient emphasis to be placed on vocational contexts and applications in which their study is undertaken.
unit based
The new GCSE Science qualifications will be unit based and candidates will have the flexibility to take units from a limited number of pre-determined pathways, increasing flexibility and choice. The diagram below is based on a three unit model: one biology, one chemistry and one physics, and indicates the range of routes which will be possible. (In practice specifications will contain a greater number of units – the model is for illustrative purposes only.)
Units available:
Units available ________________________________Qualifications outcome
_____________Biology 1 __Chemistry1 __Physics 1 __GCSE Science
_____________Biology 2 __Chemistry2 __Physics 2__GCSE Add'l Science
_____________Biology 3 __Chemistry3 __Physics 3 __
Qualifications __GCSE____GCSE______GCSE
outcome______Biology__Chemistry___Physics
The framework of units will allow pupils to combine units either horizontally (to give GCSE qualifications in science) or vertically (to give GCSE qualifications in the separate sciences) but not both to avoid ‘double credit’ for units. Pupils can follow options in applied science, leading to either a single GCSE or to a double award.
The statutory requirement in science at Key Stage 4
The national expectation that the substantial majority of pupils study the equivalent of two GCSEs in science will remain.
posted by chris at 11:41 am
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