Environmental Science

Exam Board & Specification: AQA A-Level Environmental Science (7447)

Subject Lead:

Sixth Form Team

What will students study at Key Stage 5?

Year 12: Students investigate the living environment (biodiversity/conservation) and physical systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere) and examine sustainability, conducting field/lab work.

Year 13: They evaluate energy resources, pollution and environmental decision‑making, synthesising research methods and field data in extended responses.

What do assessments test?

• AO1: Knowledge/understanding of environmental systems and issues
• AO2: Application to decision‑making and case material
• AO3: Analysis/evaluation incl. field/lab methods and data

What are the expectations of my child in this subject?

Attend all lessons, meet deadlines, keep high‑quality notes, and use independent study effectively (at least the Sixth Form expectation per subject). Build habits of spaced retrieval, interleaved practice and regular past‑paper work.

What should my child do if they feel they are struggling in this subject?

Speak to the subject teacher promptly, identify precise topic/skill gaps, attend clinics/interventions, and use targeted resources (examiner reports, model answers, required practical write‑ups or assignment checklists).

How can I best support my child in this subject?

Have short, frequent check‑ins on progress; help plan assessment timelines; encourage retrieval practice and timed responses; and ensure use of department‑recommended texts, platforms and mark schemes.