In year 10 (and from 2006 onwards in year 11 as well), as with year 9, there are 6 different groups within year 9 time-tabled in two blocks of 3, the North and South blocks. In each block 2 of the groups are double award GCSE sets and one is triple award.
The Double, Triple award debate:
Double award students study all three disciplines (Biology, Chemistry & Physics) separately, and at Cranbrook we are fortunate to have a Science department which still provides teaching by subject specialists. They sit a paper in each discipline at the end of year 11, and the results they obtain here are combined with their grades from assessed pieces of coursework to generate 2 identical GCSE grades (a double award).
Triple Award is identical to Double award but there is slightly more content in the course, and these groups are given slightly more time-table time, which means that at the end of the course they get an individual grade in each of the three disciplines (a triple award)
Which is best? Neither. One requires more effort, obviously the triple award, and a faster pace of work but both are equally valid for progression to AS and A2 study.
At Key stage 4, just as in Key stage 3, we continue to ensure that Science at Cranbrook remains a practical subject, and seek to engage our students and to pass on a sense of wonder and respect for the world we live in.
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