KS3
Students come to the PRS from 9 different collaborative schools and can also come from out of area, they can arrive in Y7, Y8 or Y9 and will be taught in a KS3 group. Historically KS3 students were at the PRS for around a term, but in recent times many students attend the PRS for up to a year – often due to their awaiting placement in a Special School. A year plan is planned in which all 3 Sciences are studied for two half terms each. This ensures that each student gets experience of a range of different topics. Within the topic the subject is taught in a practical, interactive and engaging way. Many students have disengaged from Science lessons or been banned from the practicals so there is a real emphasis on them enjoying Science and realising that they are capable of achieving in the subject.

Y10
Again students come from a variety of different schools and have a mixed range of prior knowledge in Science. Many have huge gaps in their learning due to poor attendance or internal exclusion from Science lessons. To make up for these gaps in learning the AQA GCSE Trilogy course is followed using the pathway set out in the Entry Level Qualification (this is recommended by AQA for lower attaining students). The 6 modules are covered during the whole of Y10 and the work is extended where appropriate to cover more complex GCSE concepts to stretch students when they understand the basics. Required practical experiments are covered when they fit into the syllabus. Y10 students will have the opportunity to take Entry Level Module exams if they have covered the whole of the syllabus during a half term.

Y11

Students can arrive at the PRS at any time during the year depending on the time of their exclusion. There is a programme of study based on the 21 required practical experiments for AQA Trilogy Science. Each class studies one practical per week – looking at the practical itself and understanding some of the theory around the experiment. In the remaining weeks running up to the exams certain basic topics are revisited and pupils are prepared for exams by going over past exam questions and doing ‘walking, talking mocks’. Most students would be expected to achieve a GCSE grade at the end of the year which is equal to two GCSEs.