Science Department

All students are assessed at two points throughout the year with the data gathered being used to set meaningful and aspirational targets for each individual.  Appropriate intervention, advice and guidance is then given to each student about the areas they need to develop their understanding in so that they can make progress towards the next level of attainment.

Key Stage 3


Students study the Exploring Science curriculum over two years, gaining experience of How Science Works and developing the skills needed to be a good scientist.

Key Stage 4


The requirements of the National Curriculum dictate that all pupils must study specific aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  Students following Science courses at Blue Coat School will be taught in the separate science disciplines by subject specialists for 18% of their timetable.  The exam board is AQA (www.aqa.org.uk). The text books we use are ISBN: 0-00-721449-9, 0-00-721630-0, 978-0-00722582-8.

Sets 1 and 2

In Year 9 pupils study module 1 of Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and will be examined at the end of the year on these modules.  They will do a further two modules, one per year in each subject which will; examined at in May of the year studied before receiving three separate GCSE grades in ‘Biology’, ‘Chemistry’ and ‘Physics’ at the end of Year 11.

Sets 3 - 5


In Year 9 and for the first half of Year 10, pupils study module 1 in each Science discipline which will lead to the award of a single GCSE in ‘Science’ at the end of Year 11.  Module 1 is examined in January of Year 10.  In the second half of Year 10 and in Year 11 pupils will study module 2 in each discipline for a further GCSE in ‘Additional Science’ which is examined at the end of Year 11.


Coursework (25% of each GCSE)


All students will sit their coursework Investigative Skills Assessment (ISA) for each science subject in October of Year 11 before half term. A Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) will also be made in Year 11 to add to the ISA mark.  This combined mark will constitute the coursework mark. For sets 1 and 2, students need all three pieces of coursework, whereas sets 3 to 5 only need the best two pieces.

Key Stage 5


Large numbers of students opt to study the three separate sciences at Advanced level using the AQA specifications with commendable success.
The Physics department have around 40 candidates studying ‘AS’ level Physics each year. A smaller number, around 14 will study A2 Physics. Most of the students will continue their education up to University level applying for a great variety of degree courses, including Medicine, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Music, Geophysics, Oceanography, Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Civil, Aeronautics) etc. We always have students able enough to study Physics at some of the best Universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, Bristol, Manchester, York, Birmingham and Durham etc.


Around 65 students each year choose to follow the Biology AS level course with approximately 45 choosing to continue to the more demanding A2 level.  In both courses over 95% of the students achieve a pass grade with a large proportion gaining grades A, B, or C which allows them to continue to degree courses at university for example in Medicine, Pharmacy, Biological Sciences and Molecular Biology. The department has good links with the University of Warwick and a number of students each year continue their studies there.
Around 50 students study Chemistry at AS level with over half continuing to the second year A2 level with 100% of students passing the course with an A, B or C grade.
Further information can be obtained from:  Mr C Bishop (Head of Science)