Is GCSE _Science_ plus _Additional Science_ sufficient for A-level - would students be better advised to do separate sciences as a strong foundation for A-level sciences?
The situation regarding separate sciences / preparation for A-level has not
changed in the 2006 curriculum revision.
GCSE Science + GCSE Additional Science is a very adequate preparation for A-level in any of the sciences. QCA has accredited all the Awarding Body specifications on this criteria, and the professional bodies also agree that Twenty First Century Science Science + Additional Science is good preparation for A-level. In the previous curriculum the majority of students going onto A-level have not done separate sciences. They have studied Double Award, the equivalent of GCSE Science + Additional Science.
Separate sciences is an option for students with a very strong interest in science, which they choose to pursue rather than use the extra curriculum time for another subject, such as a second modern language or an arts subject.
Clearly the separate sciences courses include extra material, but this is not essential for progression to A-level.
Some 11-18 schools have decided to use the extra flexibility which the new curriculum gives them to enhance their provision of Science + Additional Science and include some aspects of the separate sciences courses for more able students.
