Upper Shirley High School
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Key Stage 4
During key stage 4 students complete a GCSE course provided by OCR named ‘Twenty First Century Science’.
Twenty First Century Science is a set of GCSE science courses developed to give all 14 to 16 year olds a worthwhile and inspiring experience of science. The strength of the programme is that it meets the needs, through flexible options, of those who will go on to be professional scientists and of those who will not.
A variety of courses are available for students to complete including:
GCSE Core science: - B1 You and your genes
- C1 Air quality
- P1 The Earth in the Universe
- B2 Keeping healthy
- C2 Material choices
- P2 Radiation and life
- B1 Life on Earth
- C1 Food matters
- P1 Radioactive materials
GCSE Additional science: - B4 Homeostasis
- C4 Chemical patterns
- P4 Explaining motion
- B5 Growth and development
- C5 Chemicals of the natural environment
- P5 Electric circuits
- B6 Brain and mind
- C6 Chemical synthesis
- P6 The wave model of radiation
GCSE Additional applied: - Life care
- Scientific detection
- Harnessing chemicals
GCSE Separate sciences: - Biology across the ecosystem
- Chemistry for a sustainable world
- Observing the Universe
The majority of students will gain two GCSE grades for science. This is done by completing GCSE core science in year 10 and then either completing GCSE additional science or GCSE additional applied science in year 11.
Some students who show a particular flare for science have the option of extending their knowledge. This can be done by completing the GCSE separate science course. In this instance students will receive three GCSE grades for science.
