21st Century Science

Running the courses

Teaching the courses in series or in parallel

It is possible to run the various C21 courses in the following ways:

• in series, that is, GCSE Science in Year 10 and an Additional Science in Year 11;

• in parallel, that is, starting both GCSE Science and an Additional Science in Year 10 and running them both over two years. The 'Alternating' model is a variant on this.

In 2006/07 many schools are teaching GCSE Science alone in Year 10. There are obviously reasons for choosing to begin just one new course this year.

However, doing GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science ‘in parallel’ (or ‘alternating’) in Years 10 and 11 may lead to a more varied and better balanced science programme for students than doing the two GCSEs ‘in series’. Schools teaching modules of the Additional science courses in parallel (or alternating) with GCSE Science may be better able to engage students who are intending to do both GCSEs.

Some schools changed their curriculum plan from 'series' to 'parallel' in the autumn of 2006, in response to concerns from teachers, parents and students.

>> Curriculum models Download a fuller discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of these curriculum models on the right.

• Separate Sciences To cater adequately for these it is likely that the parallel or alternating model will be better.