Year 12 – 13
Applied Science
Key Stage: KS5
Exam Board: Pearson
Qualification Gained: Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Applied Science
Assessment Breakdown: Combination of externally assessed units and internally assessed coursework, including practical investigations and applied scientific assignments.
Entry Requirements: Eight or more GCSEs at grades 9-4 including a minimum 5/5 in GCSE Combined Science or 5/5/4 in Triple Science.
Applicants must have a grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics, and grade 5 in GCSE English Language.
To cultivate confident and passionate learners who can apply the big ideas of science in real-life contexts. Applied Science at Hammersmith Academy supports the inclusive nature of our Sixth Form, providing a pathway to higher education, apprenticeships, or employment in science-related fields. Students develop analytical thinking, scientific communication, and independent research while building knowledge across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
The curriculum builds on prior learning from Key Stage 4 and is deliberately structured for retrieval and inter-topic links.
- Year 12 focuses on strengthening and extending content knowledge across all three sciences.
- Year 13 introduces more complex scientific concepts and increasingly independent coursework and project work.
Students progressively develop practical competency, data-handling skills, and the ability to apply scientific ideas to real-world contexts.
Year-by-Year Curriculum
Year 12
Module 1: Cells, Motion & Longitudinal Waves
The course begins with the structure and function of cells and tissues—familiar grounding for students but with increased depth and breadth.
Motion is revisited from GCSE, progressing to non-constant rates and more sophisticated interpretations of motion graphs.
Longitudinal waves introduce new concepts such as phase difference and interference, encouraging accurate scientific communication and consistent terminology.
Module 2: Biological Molecules, Circuits, Gravity & Transverse Waves
Students deepen understanding of biological molecules, linking biochemical structure to function and preparing for later work on membranes and enzymes.
In Physics, students build upon prior knowledge of current, potential difference and resistance, including the introduction of elementary charge and electrical quantisation.
The study of gravitational fields embeds Newton’s Third Law, terminal velocity and friction coefficients, strengthening conceptual links across forces topics.
Work on transverse waves and standing waves consolidates superposition and harmonics, supported by practical ripple tank investigations.
Module 3: Cellular Transport, Electricity, Energy Transfer & Acceleration
Students build secure understanding of membrane transport and enzyme activity, drawing on earlier molecular biology content.
In electricity, students refine their understanding of Ohm’s Law, graph interpretation, sensing components, and potential dividers.
Energy transfer topics develop interpretation of heating and cooling curves, internal energy and specific heat capacity, enhanced through practical investigation.
Acceleration work further consolidates modelling of motion and links with earlier forces modules.
Module 4: Electromagnetic Waves / Light & Homeostasis
Students extend their wave knowledge into the electromagnetic spectrum and light behaviour, applying conceptual and practical understanding.
Homeostasis introduces thermoregulation, negative feedback systems and internal control mechanisms, linking biological systems to earlier molecular and cellular work.
Module 5-6: Coursework
Year 13
Year 13 moves into advanced scientific concepts and more independent coursework, requiring students to apply, analyse and evaluate scientific ideas with increasing autonomy. The emphasis is on higher-order skills, project management, extended written work, and preparing for further study or employment in science-related fields.
Skills Gained
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Scientific communication (written, graphical, verbal)
- Independent research and project management
- Practical skills and data handling
- Retrieval and application across Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Potential Careers / Next Steps
Progression to higher education, apprenticeships or employment in science-related fields, supported by transferable skills in analysis, communication and independent work.
The Applied Science qualification supports pathways into:
- Higher education programmes in Science, Health, or Engineering
- Apprenticeships in laboratory science, healthcare, or technical fields
- Employment in science-related roles
- Students gain transferable skills valued across scientific, technical and analytical professions.
