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Sciences:
Biology, Chemistry and Physics are compulsory to IGCSE. The Shell year forms the foundation to Pearson Edexcel’s International GCSE Science examinations in the Hundred.
We offer two routes to IGCSE, outlined below, with pupils being entered for the examination which is most appropriate to their aptitude, ability and future aspirations.
• No decisions on the route pupils will take are made until the end of the Remove year.
1 – The Separate Sciences
• International GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics (9-1) 4BI1, 4CH1 and 4PH1
Pupils taking this route study all three sciences as individual IGCSEs, and will be awarded an examination grade on the 9-1 scale for each science.
2 – Science (Double Award)
• International GCSE Science (Double Award) (9-1) 4SD0
Pupils taking this route also study all three sciences, but do so in less detail than separate science candidates. The results of the three IGCSE examination papers, one in each science, are then combined, leading to the award of two IGCSE grades (on a scale from 9,9 to 1,1). The award of two grades, rather than three, reflects the reduced content and curriculum time for this qualification. Science (Double Award) is equivalent to two IGCSEs.
The separate sciences offer a greater challenge to pupils. These examinations include additional content with a higher level of demand. Separate sciences are taught in an equivalent time to Science (Double Award), so this route to IGCSE will not be appropriate for all. Currently, around 80 pupils each year study the separate sciences.
Strong and sustained academic progress across all sciences, and an excellent performance in the Shell and Remove end of year examinations, are prerequisites for those wishing to be considered for examinations in the separate sciences.
While Science (Double Award) offers a sound preparation for pupils wishing to study one or more sciences in the Sixth Form, it is more usual for these pupils to take the separate science route to IGCSE.
Biology
The Shell course involves study in four topic areas.
‘The nature and variety of living organisms’ – reviews and expands on the foundations of biology such as microscopy, cells and the diversity of life
‘Nutrition’ – explores photosynthesis and plant nutrition as well as human nutrition, the digestive system and the need for a balanced diet.
‘Enzymes’ – introduces the chemistry of life.
‘Ecology’ – considers living organisms in their environment, including how man’s activities affect them.
‘How Science works’, which considers the principles of investigations – how data are collected, presented and interpreted, is incorporated into all four of the topic areas shown above.
Chemistry
The Shell course involves study in four topic areas.
‘Principles of Chemistry’ – introduces states of matter; atoms and atomic structure; elements, compounds and mixtures; chemical formulae and equations.
‘Chemistry of the Elements’ – introduces the Periodic Table; tests for gases, anions and cations.
‘Physical Chemistry’ – introduces acidity, alkalinity and salt formation; rates of reaction.
‘Experimental Chemistry’ – introduces the chemical laboratory, and provides pupils with elementary laboratory skills and the techniques required to carry out chemical experiments safely and effectively.
