1. Y9 Transition KS3 to KS4 What you will be doing

2. Why the change? Over the past few years, the content of KS3 has been reduced, but that of KS4 has been increased. Over the past few years, the content of KS3 has been reduced, but that of KS4 has been increased. We have three different pathways at KS4: Triple Science GCSE, Science A and Additional Science GCSE or Science A GCSE and BTEC Applied Science. We have three different pathways at KS4: Triple Science GCSE, Science A and Additional Science GCSE or Science A GCSE and BTEC Applied Science. In order to ensure you have plenty of time to complete whichever pathway you choose, we have condensed KS3 to two years and have introduced the transition year in Y9. In order to ensure you have plenty of time to complete whichever pathway you choose, we have condensed KS3 to two years and have introduced the transition year in Y9.

3. How will I be assessed? You will still be completing KS3 in year 9 and working towards your KS3 target. You will still be completing KS3 in year 9 and working towards your KS3 target. Your end of KS3 level will be decided in June 2013, based on a combination of your Y9 SATs exams in September and December, combined with the exam you take in May 2013 which is based on a Foundation Science A GCSE exam. Your end of KS3 level will be decided in June 2013, based on a combination of your Y9 SATs exams in September and December, combined with the exam you take in May 2013 which is based on a Foundation Science A GCSE exam.

4. What will I do when? We will finish teaching the KS3 curriculum and revise for the first few weeks of term, then you will sit one SATs paper at the end of September. We will finish teaching the KS3 curriculum and revise for the first few weeks of term, then you will sit one SATs paper at the end of September. We will learn content from the Science A GCSE from the end of September until the second SATs exam in the Y9 mock exam week in December. We will learn content from the Science A GCSE from the end of September until the second SATs exam in the Y9 mock exam week in December. In May 2013 you will sit the GCSE style exam in your Y9 exam week, and we will use that result along with the SATs results from September and December to generate your end of KS3 level. In May 2013 you will sit the GCSE style exam in your Y9 exam week, and we will use that result along with the SATs results from September and December to generate your end of KS3 level.

5. What are the Science options in Y10? You will have the opportunity on your option form to tick your preferred pathway for Science. You will have the opportunity on your option form to tick your preferred pathway for Science. The options are Triple Science GCSE, Science A and Additional Science GCSE, or Science A GCSE and BTEC Applied Science. The options are Triple Science GCSE, Science A and Additional Science GCSE, or Science A GCSE and BTEC Applied Science. To follow Triple Science GCSE, you need to achieve a level 6b or above in your English, Maths and Science end of KS3 levels. To follow Triple Science GCSE, you need to achieve a level 6b or above in your English, Maths and Science end of KS3 levels. To follow Science A and Additional Science GCSE you should achieve above a level 5 at KS3. To follow Science A and Additional Science GCSE you should achieve above a level 5 at KS3.

6. Which should I aim for? If you are really interested in Science and wish to follow A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and /or Physics you will need to follow Triple Science GCSE or Science A and Additional Science GCSE. If you are really interested in Science and wish to follow A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and /or Physics you will need to follow Triple Science GCSE or Science A and Additional Science GCSE. The rules have changed so you will sit all exams in the summer you finish the course (Summer of Y10 for Science A, summer of Y11 for Additional Science and Triple Science). The rules have changed so you will sit all exams in the summer you finish the course (Summer of Y10 for Science A, summer of Y11 for Additional Science and Triple Science). If you struggle in exams and/or believe you will struggle to attain a grade C or above in the GCSE pathways then BTEC Applied Science is best for you. If you struggle in exams and/or believe you will struggle to attain a grade C or above in the GCSE pathways then BTEC Applied Science is best for you. A rough outline of each is on the next few slides to help you decide which is best. A rough outline of each is on the next few slides to help you decide which is best.

7. Triple Science GCSE You must achieve a level 6b in English, Maths and Science end of KS3 levels. You must achieve a level 6b in English, Maths and Science end of KS3 levels. There are 9 written exams at the end of Y11, each worth 25% of a GCSE, and three pieces of controlled assessment, also worth 25% of a GCSE. There are 9 written exams at the end of Y11, each worth 25% of a GCSE, and three pieces of controlled assessment, also worth 25% of a GCSE. There are two tiers of entry for each exam – Higher and Foundation. You can sit either tier for each exam, but there are no tiers for the controlled assessment. There are two tiers of entry for each exam – Higher and Foundation. You can sit either tier for each exam, but there are no tiers for the controlled assessment. If you are aiming for a B or above in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, at least one if not two exams from each subject will need to be from the Higher tier papers. If you are aiming for a B or above in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, at least one if not two exams from each subject will need to be from the Higher tier papers. Our expectation is that everyone following Triple Science will achieve a minimum of a B in each GCSE. Our expectation is that everyone following Triple Science will achieve a minimum of a B in each GCSE. There is a lot more emphasis on application, with more written answers than before, especially in the Higher tier. There is a lot more emphasis on application, with more written answers than before, especially in the Higher tier.

8. Science A and Additional Science You should achieve a level 5 in English, Maths and Science end of KS3 levels. You should achieve a level 5 in English, Maths and Science end of KS3 levels. There are six exams and two pieces of coursework – three exams and one controlled assessment to be completed in Y10 and the same again in Y11. There are six exams and two pieces of coursework – three exams and one controlled assessment to be completed in Y10 and the same again in Y11. Science A will be completed by the end of Y10, with you receiving that result in the August of Y10. Science A will be completed by the end of Y10, with you receiving that result in the August of Y10. Once again you take all exams in the summer you finish the GCSE, and all papers are written at either Higher or Foundation level. Once again you take all exams in the summer you finish the GCSE, and all papers are written at either Higher or Foundation level. Additional Science allows entry onto A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics, provided you achieve at least a grade B in Additional Science. Additional Science allows entry onto A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics, provided you achieve at least a grade B in Additional Science.

9. Science A and BTEC Applied Science For Science A there are three exams and one controlled assessment to be completed in Y10, with you receiving that result in the August of Y10. For Science A there are three exams and one controlled assessment to be completed in Y10, with you receiving that result in the August of Y10. Once again you take all exams in the summer you finish the GCSE, and all papers are written at either Higher or Foundation level. Once again you take all exams in the summer you finish the GCSE, and all papers are written at either Higher or Foundation level. BTEC Applied Science is an alternative pathway that has one exam and 3 internally assessed units for each course, so is better if you struggle with exams. BTEC Applied Science is an alternative pathway that has one exam and 3 internally assessed units for each course, so is better if you struggle with exams. BTEC works on a Pass, Merit or Distinction grading system, with a Pass being equivalent to a GCSE grade C, Merit a grade B and so on. The final structure for the BTEC course is still to be confirmed, so you will be told more around the time you choose your options. BTEC works on a Pass, Merit or Distinction grading system, with a Pass being equivalent to a GCSE grade C, Merit a grade B and so on. The final structure for the BTEC course is still to be confirmed, so you will be told more around the time you choose your options.

10. Which is right for me? Triple Science GCSE is for high achievers who have an ability and passion for Science. You need to achieve a level 6b in English, Maths and Science at KS3. Triple Science GCSE is for high achievers who have an ability and passion for Science. You need to achieve a level 6b in English, Maths and Science at KS3. Science A and Additional Science GCSE is for those who enjoy science and may want to take it further into their A Level studies. Science A and Additional Science GCSE is for those who enjoy science and may want to take it further into their A Level studies. Science A GCSE and BTEC Applied Science is most suited to those who struggle with exams, or believe that they would not be able to achieve grade C in both Science A and Additional Science. Science A GCSE and BTEC Applied Science is most suited to those who struggle with exams, or believe that they would not be able to achieve grade C in both Science A and Additional Science. However, should you want to study A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics you cannot do this after BTEC Applied Science, you must do Additional Science and achieve a minimum of a grade B in that GCSE. However, should you want to study A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics you cannot do this after BTEC Applied Science, you must do Additional Science and achieve a minimum of a grade B in that GCSE.

11. If I choose BTEC, what next? As you can’t follow A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics after completing the Science A and BTEC Applied Science course, there is an alternative. As you can’t follow A Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics after completing the Science A and BTEC Applied Science course, there is an alternative. You can follow a Level 3 BTEC in Applied Science which has equivalent grade points to A Level courses. You can follow a Level 3 BTEC in Applied Science which has equivalent grade points to A Level courses.