Making the Grade Year 11 Science GCSE

Six important dates Tuesday 15th May PM Thursday 17th May AM Wednesday 23rd May PM Monday 11th June AM Wednesday 13th June AM Friday 15th June AM

Course overview Exam board: AQA Two courses: Triple Science (3GCSEs) and Trilogy Combined Science (2 GCSEs) 6 exams Two Biology, two Physics and two Chemistry Triple Science exams 1h 45m and Trilogy Combined Science 1h 15m

Needed for every lesson A scientific calculator Pen Pencil Ruler Rubber Pencil sharpener

Biology topics covered (both triple and trilogy) Paper 1 Tuesday 15th May PM paper 2 Monday 11th June AM Cell biology Organisation Infection and response Bioenergetics Homeostasis and response Inheritance Variation and evolution Ecology

Chemistry topics covered (both triple and trilogy) Paper 1 Thursday 17th May AM Paper 2 Wednesday 13th June AM Atomic structure and the periodic table Bonding, structure and the properties of matter Quantitative chemistry Chemical changes Energy changes The rate and extent of chemical change Organic chemistry Chemical analysis Chemistry of the atmosphere Using resources

Physics topics covered (both triple and trilogy) Paper 1 Wednesday 23rd May PM Paper 2 Friday 15th June am Energy Electricity Particle model of matter Atomic structure Forces Waves Magnetism and electromagnetism Space (Triple science only)

Who feels a bit like this? There is a lot but don’t worry you have time to be completely ready! Who feels a bit like this?

Don’t worry you will be ready! The new course New GCSE curriculum for Science with some big changes. Content much more demanding Bigger emphasis on working scientifically Bigger emphasis on explicit maths skills Terminal exams with no coursework Don’t worry you will be ready!  

How are we going to help you get ready? Assessments and tracking progress PPE1 – first try at 6 exams (short) PPE2 – first try at 6 full exams Help at home Revise Complete your preparation Recruit your friends and family

Assessments and tracking progress Students should know their target grades from last year and these will be discusses during lessons in these first few weeks. All students are expected to complete preparation as set inline with the school policy this is vital in moving students forward to achieve their best. Students will get regular feedback from teachers to ensure they know where they are and how they can move on. Along side teacher assessments throughout the learning cycle, students also complete a learning cycle assessment during week 7 of each learning cycle. Parents will be contacted if your son/daughter is not making expected progress so we can work together to support them to move forward. Its going to be a fast and furious year but we are all in it together!

PPE1 dates Learning cycle 1 week 6 (week before half term) Thursday 12th October PM (Hall) – Physics paper 1 and paper 2 (40 mins each) Friday 13th October PM (Hall) – Biology paper 1 and paper 2 (40 mins each) Learning cycle 1 week 7 (week after half term) Friday 3rd November (in class) – Chemistry paper 1 and paper 2 (40 mins each)

PPE2 dates Learning cycle 3 week 2 and week 3. 19th February to the 2nd March. All 6 full exams papers will be sat during these two weeks.

Help at home Varndean Website: Topic lists and programmes of learning Doddlelearn.co.uk Institution - varndean Login – pupil full name, no spaces Password – varndean GCSE Bitesize YouTube Revision guide

Revision guides £5.5 for Combined Science revision guide £2.75 each for the Separate Science revision guides. You can buy them this evening or students can order them through their class teacher.

Revising Make flash cards Mind maps Make posters Question friends and have them question you Practice questions Use specimen papers

Types of questions in assessments Multiple choice Structured Closed short answer Open responses You have access to specimen papers on the AQA website.

Contact If you are at any point for any reason concerned about your son/daughters progress in Science please contact their class teacher by email or the head of Science – louisetomlinson@Varndean.co.uk