the parent's school survival pack... ages & key stages

age 14-16 key stage 4

So what happens at KS4?

This is where things get a little complicated... At KS4 there are two programmes of study.

Alternatively pupils can take GCSE courses in all three of the separate sciences of biology, chemistry and physics. The Government firmly believes that the great majority of pupils should take double science or the three separate sciences. Single science is intended for a minority of pupils who have good reason to spend more time on other subjects.

There are three ways to take GCSEs in science. Pupils can:

Take three separate GCSEs in each of biology, chemistry and physics

Take a double award, which covers the three areas and is equal to two GCSEs

Take a single award GCSE, which covers all three areas, but in less depth. It is equal to one GCSE.

NB: Not all schools offer all three ways. A science GNVQ is also available.

There are some pupils who may wish to follow a different route, and a school may decide in exceptional circumstances that a particular pupil will achieve more from a programme without some of the compulsory National Curriculum subjects. This is known as disapplication of the National Curriculum. At key stage 4, the school can disapply pupils from science for the following reason only:

So that a pupil can take part in a substantial work-related learning programme (for example, a work placement with training, or a college course for one or two days a week)

For more information on choices at KS4 see the DfES Learning Journey

For more information check out the two science stages below.

KS4 Single Science

KS4 Double Science

Key stage 4

single science

For full information on the topics studied check out the information for KS4 single science

The topics are mostly the same as those taught in double science but not taken to the same depth. At KS4 science is taught in a range of domestic, industrial and environmental contexts so that pupils have a much greater appreciation of the relevance of science. They are encouraged to use ICT and to consider and discuss the benefits or otherwise of recent technological developments.

The following topics are taught in KS4 single science:

Sc1: Scientific Enquiry
Ideas and evidence in science
Investigative skills

Sc2: Life Processes and Living Things
Cell activity
Humans as organisms
Variation, inheritance and evolution
Living things in their environment

Sc3: Materials and their Properties
Classifying materials
Changing materials
Patterns of behaviour

Sc4: Physical Process
Electricity
Waves
The Earth and beyond
Energy resources and energy transfer Radioactivity
Radioactivity

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Key stage 4

double science

For full information on the topics studied check out the information for KS4 double science

At KS4 science is taught in a range of domestic, industrial and environmental contexts so that pupils have a much greater appreciation of the relevance of science. They are encouraged to use ICT and to consider and discuss the benefits or otherwise of recent technological developments.

The following topics are taught in KS4 double science:

Sc1: Scientific Enquiry
Ideas and evidence in science
Investigative skills

Sc2: Life Processes and Living Things
Cell activity
Humans as organisms
Variation, inheritance and evolution
Living things in their environment

Sc3: Materials and their Properties
Classifying materials
Changing materials
Patterns of behaviour

Sc4: Physical Process
Electricity
Forces and Motion
Waves
The Earth and beyond
Energy resources and energy transfer Radioactivity
Radioactivity

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