GCSE Sciences for 2011 www.gcse-science.com

Objectives

• Understand the ‘rules’ governing 2011 specifications and the changes anticipated

• Consider OCR’s priorities and proposals• Understand the timelines for development and

implementation• Consider the support to be offered

Development Timeline

• December 2009 – Subject Criteria published• April 2010 - submission of specifications and SAMs to Ofqual• May 2010 – draft specifications published• November 2010 - specifications accredited and published on

the OCR website• Late 2010 - specifications distributed to Centres• Late 2010 - guidance materials published

Achievements

• Science for the citizen (scientific literacy) and science for the scientist

• Interest, engagement and motivation• Increase in numbers taking GCE sciences• Additional controls on coursework• Coursework integrated into teaching• Transparent and accessible assessment

Why was a review necessary?

• Assessment issues – highlighted by Ofqual report on GCSE sciences • Issues of comparability - between different specifications and routes to

grades• Opportunities for extended writing and need to provide ‘stretch and

challenge’• Opportunities for practical work• Use of maths in science• Discontinuities: KS3-KS4, and KS4-KS5

• Review of subject content• Controlled Assessment • Terminal requirement• Limit on number of units • Re-sit rules

General and Subject Criteria

QCDA carried out consultation with teachers, professional bodies, employers, awarding bodies …and the public

Review of subject content

• Content of GCSE sciences has been reviewed and some changes have been made

• There are now Subject Criteria for each qualification (see Ofqual website)

• 100% of content for Science and Additional Applied Science is prescribed; less than 100% for other specifications

Controlled Assessment

• Task setting– tasks selected from a number of comparable tasks provided by

the Awarding Body, renewed each year; the unit must be entered in the year for which the task is identified

• Task taking– Data collection / research can be carried out in groups or at

home but analysis and evaluation must be carried out under supervision

• Task marking– teachers mark tasks using mark schemes or criteria provided by

Awarding Body; moderation carried out by Awarding Body

Units and weightings

• Minimum weighting of 20% for each unit• Controlled Assessment weighted 25%

(60% in Additional Applied Science & Environmental and Land-based Science)

• So maximum of 4 units possible

Re-sit rules for units

• Only one re-sit permitted of each unit, so:– one attempt at F and one at H…or– two attempts at F…or– two attempts at H

Terminal Requirement

• 40% of assessment must be taken in final series, when certification is requested

• Any combination of units: Controlled Assessment and Written Paper

• Units which are part of the 40% must ‘count’• Requirement must be met again if candidate subsequently

re-certificates

Key issues

• When will my students do the Controlled Assessment?

• When will they cash in?• Will I offer re-sits – if so when?• How will my students meet the Terminal

Requirement?• What if students want to re-sit units after

cashing in?

Consultation

• Discussions with 700 heads of science• 8 focus groups on needs and requirements• Consultations with cluster coordinators• 150 responses from A Level teachers on progression

issues• 8 focus groups on controlled assessment tasks

OCR’s priorities• Thoughtful development to meet new requirements:

“evolution not revolution”, “build on success”• Make Controlled Assessment, reliable, valid…… but

engaging and manageable• Enhanced inclusion of relevant maths • Effective progression

– from KS3 to GCSE; from GCSE to GCE

What revised GCSE specifications is OCR planning to offer?• Twenty First Century Science – Suite A

– GCSE Science, GCSE Additional Science

– GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry, GCSE Physics

• Gateway Science – Suite B– GCSE Science, GCSE Additional Science

– GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry, GCSE Physics

• GCSE Additional Applied Science• GCSE Environmental and Land-based Science

Twenty First Century Science Suite

• GCSE Science• GCSE Additional Science• GCSE Biology• GCSE Chemistry• GCSE Physics

Nested Model for C21 Suite

B1, B2, B3 B4, B5, B6 B7Controlled

assessment B

 

GCSE Biology

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

C1, C2, C3 C4, C5, C6 C7Controlled

assessment C

 

GCSE Chemistry

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

P1, P2, P3 P4, P5, P6 P7Controlled

assessment P

 

GCSE Physics

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

Controlled assessment S

Controlled assessment A

 25% 25%

     

GCSE Science

GCSE Additional Science  

Nested Model for C21 Suite

B1, B2, B3 B4, B5, B6 B7Controlled

assessment B

 

GCSE Biology

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

C1, C2, C3 C4, C5, C6 C7Controlled

assessment C

 

GCSE Chemistry

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

P1, P2, P3 P4, P5, P6 P7Controlled

assessment P

 

GCSE Physics

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

Controlled assessment S

Controlled assessment A

 25% 25%

     

GCSE Science

GCSE Additional Science  

B1, C1, P1 B2, C2, P2 B3, C3, P3Controlled

assessment S

 

GCSEScience

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

    

   

B4, C4, P4 B5, C5, P5 B6, C6, P6Controlled

assessment A  GCSE

Additional Science25% 60 min 25% 60 min 25% 60 min 25%  

Mixed Paper Model for C21 Suite

Each mixed paper includes questions from biology, chemistry and physics

Twenty First Century Approach

• Motivates and inspires students• Balances Issues for Citizens with Big Questions in science

to provide exciting and relevant contexts• Integrates How Science Works into the science content for

all specifications• Offers great flexibility in the scheme of assessment

Gateway Science Suite

• GCSE Science

• GCSE Additional Science

• GCSE Biology

• GCSE Chemistry

• GCSE Physics

B1, B2, B3 B4, B5, B6Controlled

assessment B

 

GCSEBiology

35% 75 min 40% 90 min 25%

       

C1, C2, C3 C4, C5, C6 Controlled

assessment C

 

GCSEChemistry

35% 75 min 40% 90 min 25%

       

P1, P2, P3 P4, P5, P6Controlled

assessment P   GCSEPhysics

35% 75 min 40% 90 min 25%  

Gateway Separate Sciences

Gateway Suite

B1, C1, P1 B2, C2, P2Controlled

assessment S 

GCSEScience

35% 75 min 40% 90 min 25%

       

B3, C3, P3 B4, C4, C4 Controlled

assessment A  GCSE

Additional Science35% 75 min 40% 90 min 25%

Gateway Science & Additional Science

Each mixed paper includes questions from biology, chemistry and physics

Gateway Suite

Gateway Approach

• Differentiated content: three columns for:

low demand (foundation tier only)

standard demand (both tiers)

high demand (higher tier only)

• Additional column with focus on opportunities for practical and other activities

• Assessment uses just 3 units (two written papers and controlled assessment) allowing fewer examination sittings

Gateway Suite

Gateway Suite

Controlled Assessment

• Plan practical ways to answer scientific questions and test hypotheses;

• devise appropriate methods for the collection of numerical and other data;

• assess and manage risks when carrying out practical work; • collect, process, analyse and interpret primary and secondary

data including the use of appropriate technology; • draw evidence-based conclusions; • evaluate methods of data collection and the quality of the

resulting data

For GCSE Science

Gateway ScienceControlled Assessment for GCSE Science

• One task, common topic, in two partsPart 1 - Practical and data analysis including evaluation of data and drawing

conclusionsPart 2 - Research and planning activity based around the original practical topic

• Candidates answer in structured booklets (one for each part)

• Tasks set by OCR, valid for submission in one year only, but published two years ahead

• Choice of tasks each year

Twenty First Century ScienceControlled Assessment for GCSE Science

• Case Study of a topical issue in science and Practical Data Analysis are retained (two independent tasks)

• Case Study is based on stimulus material, but candidates still have flexibility to frame their own question

• Tasks set by OCR, valid for submission in one year only, but published two years ahead

• Choice of tasks each year

Controlled Assessment

• Develop hypotheses and plan practical ways to test them including risk assessment;

• manage risks when carrying out practical work; • collect, process, analyse and interpret primary and

secondary data including the use of appropriate technology to draw evidence-based conclusions;

• review methodology to assess fitness for purpose, and review hypotheses in light of outcomes.

For GCSE Additional Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Gateway SuiteControlled Assessment for GCSE Additional Science and the separate sciences

• One task, common topic, in two parts• Part 1 - Using information and planning using stimulus material• Part 2 - Practical and evaluation where candidates carry out a

specified experiment• Candidates answer in structured booklets

(one for each part)• Tasks set by OCR, valid for submission in one year only, but

published two years ahead• Choice of tasks each year

Twenty First Century ScienceControlled Assessment for GCSE Additional Science and the separate sciences

• A single Practical Investigation that draws together the skills of predicting and planning, and collecting, interpreting, evaluating and reviewing primary and secondary data

• Tasks set by OCR, valid for submission in one year only, but published two years ahead

• Choice of tasks each year

Why two suites?

• To provide choice to teachers• To enable teachers to meet the needs of their students• To reflect different approaches to

teaching & learning • To provide a choice of assessment models

Additional Applied Science

Science in SocietyScience of Materials

and ProductionControlled

assessment AA 

GCSE Additional Applied Science

20% 60 min 20% 60 min 60%

• The specification becomes free-standing (i.e. not within C21 suite)- it can be taken after/alongside any GCSE Science specification

Additional Applied Science

• Controlled Assessment retains the current mix of standard procedures, suitability tests and work related report.

• There will be a choice of controlled assessment tasks set by OCR, some of which (work related report) can be adapted by the Centre.

• Popular contexts from the current course such as forensics and life care retained and updated.

GCSE Environmental and Land-based Science

Unit 1 20% Unit 2 20% Unit 3 60%

Agricultural science

Management of the natural

environment+ OR + Controlled

Assessment

GCSE Environmental

and Land-based Science

Care of plants and animals

• The specification can be taken after/alongside any GCSE Science specification

GCSE Environmental and Land-based Science

• Choice of online and paper based examinations• Highly motivating course for candidates who enjoy a

strong practical focus to their studies• Controlled Assessment retains three strands

based upon Practical Tasks, an Investigative Projectand a Work-related Report or mini-Enterprise

What other specifications will be available for KS4?

• Entry Level Science

• OCR Level 2 Nationals in Science

• IGCSE available from CIE

Entry Level Science(Science Plus)

• Extended until 2012• Options continue to provide progression into GCSE

Science - Twenty First Century Science Suite A and Gateway Suite B

• Post 2012 development - may move Entry Level to QCF

OCR Nationals in Science (Level 2)

• Fully internally assessed qualification• Visiting moderators also have an advisory

role, supporting Centres• Can be used to meet KS4 Programme of

Study• Learning styles and assessment meets the

needs of individual students • Level 2 qualifications equivalent to 2 or 4

GCSEs at Grade C+)

IGCSE in Biology, Chemistry and Physics

• Offered by University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)

• Separate sciences are fully accredited by Ofqual and funded for state schools

• www.cie.org.uk/uk for more details

Users of Applied Science (Double Award)

• Could consider using:– GCSE Science + GCSE Additional Applied Science– GCSE Science + GCSE Environmental & Land-based Science– OCR Nationals in Science – Entry Level Science + GCSE Additional Applied Science– Entry Level Science + GCSE Environmental & Land-based Science

Support and training

• Comprehensive programme of INSET • Published schemes of work and lesson plans• Teacher support handbooks• Cluster networks• Active Results

Support and training - for early adopters

• Free half day INSET courses in late June 2010• For early modules in Gateway & Twenty First Century –

- documents highlighting what’s changed- draft schemes of work with sample lesson plans - publisher partners releasing draft materials

• All draft materials updated in Autumn Term (post accreditation)

• Further free INSET courses on offer in Autumn 2010 and Spring 2011

Links with Publishers

• Oxford University Press – Twenty First Century Science– Additional Applied Science– Entry Level

• Collins – Gateway Science– Environmental and Land-based Science– Entry Level

• Hodder – OCR Nationals in Science

Other publishers are also likely to produce new materials

Supplements to cover new content may also be available.

Implementation of new specifications

• September 2010 - start of teaching in Y9 (for a 3 year course ending in 2013)

• September 2011 – start of teaching in Y10• January 2012 – first exams• Summer 2012 – GCSE Science first moderation of

Controlled Assessment and first certification• Summer 2013 – first moderation of Controlled Assessment

and first certification for all other qualifications

Final sessions for old (legacy) specifications

• Last full examination series is June 2012• There are likely to be re-sit opportunities in 2013

Why choose OCR?

• Engaging and exciting courses • Pedagogy underpins content and assessment• Flexibility and manageability• Teachers involved in development and

assessment of OCR courses• Extensive, targeted support

Keeping in touch

• Visit the website:

www.gcse-science.com• Sign up for e-alerts • Register for cluster support• Access: specifications, presentations,

support documents, details of INSET meetings