Welcome to the Faculty of Science

​Science is an interesting, engaging and wide ranging subject, and is built around the three main subject areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We are the largest faculty in the school, comprising of seventeen highly dedicated and experienced teachers and three technicians. The broad spectrum of staff specialisms coupled with a high level of ICT skills and a wealth of teaching experience, has led to a Science curriculum that encompasses a range of learning styles and encourages students to develop skills that encourage them to examine the world around them. We are always striving to deliver the very best education possible for all of our students and to ensure they obtain the very best outcomes possible.

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The curriculum offered at QE is based around the traditional Science GCSE’s (AQA - Combined and Separate Science) and A-levels (AQA Biology, OCR A Chemistry & AQA Physics) and at KS4, all students are taught in ability sets. 

Although currently (2021-22)  Yr 10 students have the opportunity to study between Combined and Separate science, the school has taken the bold and progressive step, to only offer Separate Science moving forward, so that all new students entering the school (2022-23 onwards) and those in the current Year 9, being entered into the Triple/Separate Science AQA course. 

At KS5, The Faculty has had a consistently high number of students choose A-level Science courses, with many students deciding to continue their Science education at University in a variety of courses. 

Year 9 Curriculum (2022 - Onwards)

Students enter Year 9 and complete a small amount of content from the KS3 curriculum before embarking on the Triple/Separate Science course, where at the end of the course they will receive 3 GCSE grades, one from each of the three Science subjects.

The GCSE is 100 % examination, divided into 2 exams per subject (two in Biology, Chemistry and Physics). Each exam is 1 hour 45 minutes with the option of a foundation or higher tier, which is worth 50% of the GCSE. The structure covers a range of questioning skills from multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open responses required. 

Exam questions will also draw on the knowledge and understanding students have gained by carrying out the 28 required practical activities.

Triple Biology

• This qualification provides an excellent foundation for A-level Biology and combines core biological topics including Cell Biology and Infection and Response, with the latest biological findings.

​Triple Chemistry

This qualification provides an excellent foundation for A-level Chemistry and includes Periodic Table, Organic Chemistry and Energy Changes. 

​Triple Physics

This qualification is useful, interesting and thought-provoking. It covers a host of interesting topics, including energy, forces, electricity, radioactivity and space physics. Everything it covers will prepare students for the step up to A-level.

Trilogy/Combined (legacy for Current Year 10 & 11 only) Science

This offers a ‘double award’ in GCSE science, gaining the equivalent of two GCSEs. 

All three sciences are studied. 

The GCSE is 100 % examination, divided into 6 exams (two in Biology, Chemistry and Physics). Each exam is 1 hour 15 minutes with the option of a foundation or higher tier, which is worth 16.7% of the GCSE. The structure covers a range of questioning skills from multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open responses required. 

Exam questions will also draw on the knowledge and understanding students have gained by carrying out the 21 required practical activities.

For further information please contact
Mr David Thompson
Head of Science
dthompson@queenelizabeths.com