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Here we go again; A review of the changes to GCSE specifications

And what we are going to do about it?A discussion/workshop

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New Twenty First Century Course

www.gcse-science.com

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What are the key changes?

• Weighting of the Units• Coursework• Exam questions• Re-sit rules and 40% terminal requirement• Content of the course

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Weighting of the UnitsB1B2B3 B4B5B6 B7 Controlled

AssessmentGCSE Biology

25 % 60 min 25 % 60 min 25 % 60 min 25 %

C1C2C3 C4C5C6 C7 Controlled Assessment

GCSE Chemistry

25 % 60 min 25 % 60 min 25 % 60 min 25 %

P1P2P3 P4P5P6 P7 Controlled Assessment

GCSE Physics

25 % 60 min 25 % 60 min 25 % 60 min 25 %

B1C1P1 B2C2P2 B3C3P3 Controlled Assessment

GCSEScience

25% 25% 25% 25%

B4C4P4 B5C5P5 B6C6P6 Controlled Assessment

GCSEAdditional

Science

25% 25% 25% 25%

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Coursework

• ALL Controlled Assessment• Task set by OCR valid for submission one year

only• Choice of tasksGCSE Science – Case Study and Practical Data

Analysis GCSE Additional Science – InvestigationGCSE Bio, Chem, Phy - Investigation

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Exam Questions

• No Ideas in Context Papers• Ideas in Context in all papers (including Add

and Bio,Chem,Phys) and in different contexts• Exam time 60 minutes• Free response 60% (?)• Objective style questions 40%• Mathematical questions more than

interpretation of data – quantitative answers

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Overview of changes: BiologyOld New

B1: You and Your Genes Slight changes

B2: Keeping Healthy Water balance in from B4

B3: Life on Earth Systems in Balance from B7

B4: Homeostasis B4: The Processes of Life

B5: Growth and Development Slight changes

B6: Brain and Mind Slight rearrangement

B7: Further Biology Several changes

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Overview of Changes: Chemistry

Old New

C1 Air Quality Slight changes

C2 Material Choices Life cycle assessment replaced with nano technology

C3 Food Matters C3 is now Chemicals in Our Lives and is quite different

C4 Chemical Patterns Slight changes only

C5 Chemicals of the Natural Environment Slight rearrangement

C6 Chemical Synthesis Slight changes only

C7 Further Chemistry Several changes

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Overview of Changes: PhysicsOld New

P1 The Earth in the Universe Waves from P6 now in (Asteroids and alien life now gone)

P2 Radiation and Life Now contains Communications from P6

P3 Radioactive Materials P3 is Sustainable Energy radioactivity now in P6

P4 Explaining Motion Slight changes – acceleration included

P5 Electric Circuits Electric energy has moved to P3 and replaced with motors

P6 The Wave Model of Radiation P6 is Radioactive Materials old P3 + nuclear forces no elec generation

P7 Further Physics Small changes

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Decisions now....

• Which modules will we cover from Jan 2011 with Year 9?

• Which exams do we want to enter in Jan 2012? (Can do Science unit 1 and 2, Bio,Chem,Phy unit 1)

• What do we want to do about text books?• Oxbox replaces ipacks• Do we want to do a practice Controlled

Assessment

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What will we miss?

• Freedom to choose a Case Study Topic

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How we are managing changes to the AQA syllabus

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Mapping out

• We are starting the process now!• Free launch event from exam board• Questionnaire for department staff• Launch event for department• Writing with the support of a team• Using it as a chance to build upon current

educational developments• Evaluation of each others work

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In or Out?

• Use AQA document to find out about what is staying, going or moving

• Organise current materials and re-distribute• Start the re-writing process

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Support

• e-AQA!!!• Ask AQA• The Science Lab• AQA teacher forum• Exampro online• Enhanced results analysis

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CAU (controlled Assessment unit)

• Language change in a lot of HSW materials• Students who do a lot of practical work would

be more confident in this style of work• Element on research

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Exams

• Less shorter answers (1 and 2 marks)• More longer answer responses

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Edexcel; GCSE Science and Additional Science

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The Basic Structure; Science

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Assessment; examsOld course• Science

– 6x 20 min multichoice exams

• Additional– Choice 2 from;-– 3 structured papers– 3 multiple choice– “Research” activity

New Course• Each unit is assessed through a

one hour, 60 mark, tiered written examination, containing six questions.

• The examination will contain a mixture of question styles, including objective questions, short answer questions and extended writing questions.

• Examples not yet published

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Controlled Assessments

Old Course• Students have to complete

3 IAAs one in biology, chemistry, physics for Science.

• Same again for Additional• Each one contains aspects

of planning, interpretation and evaluation

New Course• Students have to complete

the equivalent of ONE IAA (now called Science Controlled Assessments SCA) witha aspects of planning, observation and concluding.

• Same again for additional

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Implications of assessment• 40% of the exams (including SCA) must be

completed when results are to be “cashed-in” for certification.

• Only one re-sit allowed. If that is in the 40% that mark will have to count (even if its lower.)

• Tier of entry must be decided when students are entered.

• No choice of method of assessment. Retrograde step towards personalisaing learning!

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Content changes; eg C1

• 6 “compulsory” practicals.• Wide range (15) of “suggested” practicals. (not

so many in physics and biology (only 6 in each)• Similar in C2 (and B2, P2)

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Example C1 ctd.

1. Earth’s atmosphere2. Rocks3. Acids (reactions with acids and gas tests)4. Metals (reactivity and extraction)5. Fuels (oil and simple organic)

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Example C2

1. Atomic Structure2. Ionic chemistry3. Covalent chemistry and separation techniques4. Periodic table5. Chemical reactions6. Quantitative chemistry

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What I like.

• Assessment process is simpler• Only one SCA equivalent• Less re-sits permitted• Some traditional science has returned• Emphasis on practical work• Very little over lap between science and

additional

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What I don’t like

• Some “modern” science (eg mobile phones, nanotechnology) gone

• Tier of entry must be fixed at time of exam entry

• No “choice” of assessment route• It still looks like loads of content to get

through• Proposed exam structure may favour girls?

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Contacts

• John Charlesworth jcharlesworth@sibfordschool.co.uk

• Alastair Gittnera.gittner@talktalk.net