GCSE Sciences are changing Spring 2011

Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved A flexible science suite One GCSE New Science A Two GCSEs Three GCSEs BiologyChemistryPhysics Other GCSEs Environmental Science Electronics Human Health and Physiology New Science B Science in Context Additional Science Additional Applied Science IGCSE equivalent Entry Level Science

We’ve maintained flexibility and choice B1 B2 C1P1 CAU 1 C2P2 CAU 2 B3C3P3 CAU B2/3 CAU C2/3 CAU P2/3 SinC 1 SinC 2 SinC 3 SinC CAU AAS 1 AAS 2 Science A Additional Science BiologyChemistryPhysics Science B Additional Applied Science Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved All units worth 25% 25% 40%60%

Teaching three separate Sciences over three years Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved Year 9 starting in September 2010 or later will not be able to follow the old specification over three years Papers for Science A will be available from January 2012 Papers for Additional Science will be available from June 2012 Papers for Unit 3 will be available from January 2013

Rule changes that will affect your choices New 40% terminal assessment rule –At least 40% of the assessment needs to be in the series when the student is awarded with the GCSE –Units can be combined in any way to make up 40% –Combination can be different for different students Only one re-sit for each assessment These two rules together will mean you will need to consider when you schedule the assessments Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

Need help with the 40% rule? Use the AQA online Assessment Planner at

Choice of two different assessment routes for Science A and Additional Science Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved Biology Option one – Assess by subject Physics ChemistryCAU Written paper One 1 hour 25 % Written paper Two 1 hour 25 % Written paper Three 1 hour 25 % Section 1 Up to 45 minutes Sections 2 50 minutes 25 % Written papers available in Jan and June CAU moderation in January and June CAU tasks released two years in advance to help you prepare

Choice of two different assessment routes for Science A and Additional Science Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved Option two – Assess in a combined way BCPCAU Section1 up to 45 minutes Section 2 50 minutes 25% Written paper One 1 ½ hours 35 % Written paper Two 1 ½ hours 40 % BCP Written papers available in Jan and June CAU available for moderation in January and June This model is not available for separate science certification

IGCSE equivalent AQA is developing an equivalent to IGCSE Similar style of examinations with less HSW and no controlled assessment Linear route only Outline plans in the next half term Assessment dates January and June

Entry Level Certificate New specification for first award in 2013 Based on National Curriculum Full references to Science A and Science B allows co-teaching with GCSE 2 biology, 2 chemistry & 2 physics units Assessed by: – ESAs: mini tests taken when the individual is ready –TDAs: practical assignments

Centre Assessed Unit – Science A 25% of the subject total Each ISA will include sections on planning, developing hypotheses, research, carrying out an investigation, analysis and evaluation On-screen assessment options being developed for the CAU Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

Centre Assessed Unit Additional & Separate Sciences You cannot use unit 1 ISAs to assess additional or separate sciences Unit 4 content (CAU) is about 75% the same as Science, but puts more emphasis on the conclusions and slightly less on the planning In Science A, candidates are given a hypothesis; here they must make their own

CAUs – What is different from the current specifications? ISAs available each year –In each year there will be: one ISA in each of the core units, which can only be used for science one ISA in each of the additional science units, which may also be used for the separate sciences two ISAs for each of the unit 3s, which can only be used for the separate sciences Valid for submission for one year only, but available the year before. Moderation twice per year, June and January Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

New GCSE Science B Science in Context Integrated science based on everyday contexts * Unit 1 – My World Unit 2 – My Family and Home Unit 3 – Making my World a Better Place Unit 4 – Using Practical and Investigative Skills Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved Draft Specifications available now at sciencelab.org.uk

Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved 75% External Assessment Papers 1, 2 & 3 are 60 minute written papers with a range of question types –Available in November, March and June Paper 4 Internal assessment New GCSE Science B - Science in Context Assessment

New GCSE Science B - Science in Context Controlled Assessment 25% Controlled Assessment Students do one investigation from a choice of 3 Valid for one year only, but available the year before Moderation in June only each year First moderation June 2012 Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

Additional Applied Science 40% External Assessment, 60% Controlled Assessment Revitalised content based on the application of science in easy to understand contexts Higher tier is now indicated Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved Draft Specifications available now at sciencelab.org.uk

Additional Applied Science Unit 1 – Science at Work Following standard procedures Health and safety at work The use of science in maintaining health and fitness The use of science to develop materials for specific purposes The use of science in food production The use of science in analysis and detection Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

Additional Applied Science Unit 1 – Science at Work 40% external assessment All written papers - closed questions, structured questions and questions needing longer answers 60 marks, 60 minute papers Assessments available in January and June Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

Additional Applied Science Unit 2 - How Scientists Use Practical Techniques 60% Controlled assessment Two assignments Assignment one: Investigating the work of scientists and how they use science –gives candidates the opportunity to find out about the work of a person who uses science in connection with healthcare, food, materials or in analysis of substances Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

Additional Applied Science Unit 2 - How Scientists Use Practical Techniques Assignment two: How scientists use evidence to solve problems –gives candidates the opportunity to solve or respond to a scientific problem Students will be able to choose the area of the specification on which their assignments are based Assignments one and two reviewed each year and moderation in January and June Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

Complete support from AQA Online (Free) Print (Free) Meetings (Free) Bespoke Support Personal Support (Free) The Science Lab Exampro Extra Online (EEO) Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA ) GCSE Sciences Library - 7 subject information boxes - Adaptable Schemes of Work - Controlled Assessment Guide - Quality of Written Communication Guide Teacher Pack - USB Portable Science Lab Preparing to Teach New – Online meetings - teachersupport.sciencelab.org.uk Science Subject Team – Regional Science Advisers Curriculum Advisers On site support Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

Support to manage the change Our support package helps you to save on both time and budget with: Course planning – all free Understand the changes: Planning Guide Assessment Planner Plan your lessons: Use or adapt our Schemes of Work Help from subject experts: Meetings both face to face and online Teaching resources – all free Practical guides: Use Exampro Extra Online to download the latest practical guides and activities Progress checks: Ensure students understand each topic by using our progress checks Textbooks: Use the free Specification A textbooks by Nelson Thornes Assessment preparation – all free Controlled Assessment Controlled Assessment Guide Controlled Assessment Adviser Exam preparation Quality of Written Communication Guide Create your own practise papers through Exampro Extra Online Budget saving tip: Use the Nelson Thornes mapping document to extend the life of your 2006 textbooks Budget saving tip: Sign up to teach through The Science Lab and get access to our printed and online resources Budget saving tip: Before re-sits – analyse students’ results in ERA and then practise the relevant topics in Exampro Extra Online 

What is happening when? January 2011 Free launch meetings, mid January to mid February March 2011 Preparing To Teach meetings begin November 2011 First assessment for Science B January 2012 First assessment for Science A (Unit 1 papers) June 2012 First certification for Science A and Science B First assessment for Additional Science (Unit 2 papers) First moderation for Science A CAU First moderation for Science B CAU January 2013 First assessment for Additional Applied Science and Unit 3 papers for Biology, Chemistry and Physics June 2013 First moderation for Additional Science and Additional Applied Science First certification for Additional Science, Additional Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics Copyright © 2010 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved

updates Exampro Extra online AQA Science Community Forum online The AQA Science Library in your school! Nelson Thornes materials Preparing to teach meetings, 2011 School visits from a Curriculum Advisor Sign up to teach with AQA, for…

Local Contact - Plymouth Edward Holland Curriculum Advisor, South West Ready and able to visit you and the department in school…