Key Stage 4
AQA GCSE Science
(Combined Science & Triple Science)
Students follow either AQA Combined Science: Trilogy (2 GCSEs) or Triple Science (3 separate GCSEs). Both pathways cover biology, chemistry, and physics, with a strong emphasis on scientific knowledge, practical skills, and real-world applications. Assessment is exam-based, with required practicals built into the course.
Building Strong Foundations
Term 1:
- Biology: Cells & Organisation
- Chemistry: Atomic Structure and Bonding, Quantitative Chemistry
- Physics: Electricity and Energy
Application Check 1:
Assesses understanding of cells, atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, electricity, and energy.
Term 2:
- Biology: Infection and Response
- Chemistry: Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Model, Chemical Changes
- Physics: Continued development of particle model and energy
Application Check 2:
Builds on Check 1, adding infection and response, particle model of matter, atomic model, and chemical changes.
Term 3:
- Biology: Bioenergetics
- Chemistry: Energy Changes, Rates of Reaction
- Physics: Forces
Application Check 3:
Mock Exam: Paper 1 for Biology, Chemistry and Physics
(Covers all Paper 1 content across all three sciences)
Deepening Understanding and Applying Knowledge
Term 1:
- Biology: Homeostasis and Response, Inheritance and Variation
- Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
- Physics: Waves and Magnetism
Application Check 1:
Mock Exam: Paper 1 (repeat)
(Ensures retention and progress from Year 1 content)
Term 2:
- Biology: Ecology
- Chemistry: Chemical Analysis, Chemistry of the Atmosphere, Using Resources
- Physics: Space (Triple science only)
Application Check 2:
Mock Exam: Paper 2 for Biology, Chemistry and Physics
(Covers all Paper 2 content across the three sciences)
Term 3:
- High-Quality Revision and Exam Preparation
- Retrieval and spaced practice
- Review of required practical’s
- Individualised intervention and consolidation
- Targeted revision assessments and full-length practice papers to support final preparation
Assessment Summary:
- Combined Science: 6 exams (2 per subject, 1hr 15 min each)
- Triple Science: 6 exams (2 per subject, 1hr 45 min each)
- Mocks: Timed and marked in GCSE format to track progress and inform intervention
Homework:
- Set weekly using Sparx Science, providing personalised tasks that allow students to consolidate learning and prepare for exams.
- Students are encouraged to revise independently, using retrieval practice, flashcards, and self-quizzing to retain key information.
Why Choose Triple Science?
Triple Science is a challenging and rewarding route that provides students with a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. It is excellent preparation for studying A Levels in biology, chemistry or physics, and it supports a wide range of future career options in science, medicine, engineering, and technology.
| Exam | Topics covered |
|---|---|
|
Biology Paper 1 |
B1 Cell Biology B2 Organisation B3 Infection B4 Bioenergetics |
|
Chemistry Paper 1 |
C1 Atomic structure and the Periodic table C2 Structure and Bonding C3 Quantitative chemistry C4 Chemical change C5 Energy changes |
|
Physics Paper 1 |
P1 Energy P2 Electricity P3 Particle model P4 Atomic structure |
|
Biology Paper 2 |
B5 Homeostasis B6 Inheritance B7 Variation B8 Ecology |
|
Chemistry Paper 2 |
C6 Rate of chemical change C7 Organic chemistry, C8 Chemical analysis, C9 Chemistry of the atmosphere C10 Using Resources |
|
Physics Paper 2 |
P5 Forces P6 Waves P7 Magnetism (P8 Space – separates only) |