Science is (rather obviously) where Oxford Science Studies started. Essentially the idea was to offer revision for science subjects. However, this changed almost instantly – customers wanted more than just the three traditional school science subjects: biology, chemistry and physics. Very early on we were going far beyond just the three sciences, and we have been offering most subjects since the late 1990s/early 2000s.
We have provided GCSE Science revision courses for nearly thirty years and have delivered Science GCSE revision courses on every course we have ever run. We have always taught these courses as separate sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We have hundreds of tutors, expert and able to cover at least one of the three sciences.
Given that GCSE Science is compulsory it is a popular option on our courses.
See the following pages for further details
Like all our courses, GCSE Science revision courses are bespoke to the learner and designed to cater to their individual needs. All courses are student-led, with the students highlighting chosen topics in the first session, and tutors tailoring the learning to meet their needs through the appropriate learning style.
See our Student-led Revision Courses page for how this works in practice.
For parents/guardians it can be a little tricky to understand the different options available and terminology used for the GCSE sciences. At OXSS we always teach science as three separate and distinct subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Below is a guide for parents/guardians to work out exactly what their kids are doing in terms of their GCSE Sciences.
Dual/Double or Single/Triple?
Basically GCSE students have two options:
This doesn’t seem (in principle) too confusing. However the triple award is often referred to as the single sciences – i.e. Biology, Chemistry and Physics are 3 separate (single) sciences. Furthermore, AQA call their dual/double award ‘trilogy’, so trilogy here counting for two GCSEs. Although double or dual is reasonably obvious, it’s frequently referred to as combined sciences. And just in case you were beginning to think that you had a handle on it, dual award has also been referred to as synergy or coordinated science. In summary:
The OCR exam board also offering two different sets of science GCSE options: OCR Gateway or OCR Twenty First Century.
Further to all that, there’s the higher or foundation level to throw into the mix.
I do refer to dual or triple as an option, however, not all schools present it as an option. Sometimes internal exams are used to determine if a student is doing dual or triple awards. Occasionally the school will either do dual or triple award only, so there is no option within the school, they are just doing one or the other.
So here’s a set of questions a confused parent/guardian can ask the school
If they are doing triple award, it is possible for schools to do different exam boards, and maybe even qualifications, for biology, chemistry and physics. Most schools have just one exam board for science – but it is worth checking, just in case. It would be possible for a school to do GCSE biology and chemistry and IGCSE physics.
If unsure, always consult with the specification numbers. There are set numbers or ‘codes’ listed on the specifications, you can find these online, and these are usually available via the school website or ‘subject choices’ booklet. It is helpful to know these to check that you are booking for the correct revision course, have the correct exam papers etc.
Just in case you are wondering intermediate level GCSEs were abandoned in the late 1990s/early 2000s.