Explanatory note

Section 85(3A) of the Education Act 2002 entitles a pupil in the fourth key stage (if he so elects) to follow a course of study in science which leads to a qualification or set of qualifications as the governing body may choose from among those approved under section 98 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 and specified by the Secretary of State. Section 85(3A)(b) enables the Secretary of State to specify the qualification or set of qualifications by order for the purposes of that subsection. This Order specifies two sets of qualifications for those purposes. The first set of qualifications entitles a pupil to take a course of study which leads to two separate GCSE qualifications, in Science and Additional Science. The second set of qualifications is three separate GCSE qualifications in the sciences of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (often referred to as “Triple Science”).