Year 8 Can Look To The Stars With GCSE Astronomy in September

Priory is hoping more pupils will be seeing stars and signing up to GCSE Astronomy.

Year 8s can now sign up to the Astronomy Club, with a view to sitting GCSE Astronomy in Year 10, which will start in September and runs after school for one hour a week during term time until 4.10pm.

Science Technician Mr Evans will take pupils through Cosmology, Exploring Starlight, Stellar Evolution and Planetary Motion.

He said: “This is for anyone interested in astronomy to just come along and find out what it’s all about. If you decide to do GCSE Astronomy, it’s great practice for Year 11 as you sit it in Year 10.

“We cover a lot of topics, such as looking at galaxies, and the maths involved in the motions of planets around the sun. We overlap with physics in parts.

“There is coursework and an optional exam and, I will be honest, it is quite tough – a few people start it and drop out. It is an enjoyable course to teach though and a lot of pupils thoroughly enjoy it. It’s just an added extra – a bonus GCSE if you will.”

Year 10 Freya has just sat her Astronomy GCSE. She said: “I took it because I like physics and it’s interesting looking into space.”  

Wictoria said: “It’s an extra GCSE, it’s something different and I have enjoyed it.”

Evie added: “I really like physics, I want to take it at A-Level, and it has got a lot of astronomy in it.  I found the part where we studied alien life really interesting.

“To anyone thinking of taking it I would say give it a go. You have nothing to lose. It’s an extra GCSE and it’s an impressive one as not a lot of schools do it.”

There is only a limited number of places so if you’re currently in Year 8 and would like to take part make sure you pick up a letter from Mr Evans (you’ll find him in the Science Prep Room) or see your Science teacher.  

Letters will also go out in Science lessons in the first days of September for pupils to sign up.  

Parents can email j.evans@priory.lancs.sch.uk with any enquiries.