Science at GCSE
Combined Science (2 GCSEs) is where pupils study all three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) but end up with two GCSEs.
Separate Sciences (3 GCSEs) is where pupils study all three sciences in greater depth and end up with three GCSEs.
A Level science subjects are accessible via either route.
Combined Science
Combined Science is offered to allow pupils who have a wide range of interests to maximize their options in other subjects. It also allows pupils whose strength lies in other curriculum areas to spend six lessons a week on their science subjects rather than the nine lessons a week if the separates route is chosen. It is important to emphasize that the level of challenge in the Combined Science course is the same as the Separates courses, but there is less content to cover. Sciences at Kimbolton are taught by enthusiastic subject specialists in our four modern and well-resourced labs. The course structure provides two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics lessons each week, a total of six science lessons, which is equivalent to two GCSE subjects in the timetable. Each science subject is examined in a separate paper at the end of the Fifth Form and the results are then combined to give two Science GCSE grades (e.g. 9,9, 9,8, 8,8, 8,7 etc). Although there is no coursework, practical work is a key component of the course, and pupils complete a number of required practicals during their studies which are then examined in the written papers.
Separate Sciences
This route allows pupils who have a keen interest in and aptitude for the Sciences to focus on their academic strengths. Most A Level candidates across the science subjects have taken the Separate Sciences course. There ar ehree lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics each week, a total of nine lessons, which is the equivalent of three GCSE subjects in the options structure. Each science subject is examined in separate papers at the end of the Fifth Form and the results lead to a separate grade (e.g. 9; 8; 7 etc) for each subject. Although there is no coursework, practical work is a key component of the course, and pupils complete a number of required practicals during their studies which are then examined in the written papers.