Secondary · Science
The year that decides the upper secondary streams
S2 Science determines which subjects are open at upper secondary. It is also where the shift from recall to explanation becomes unavoidable.
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Format
Live online via Zoom
Lessons
Weekly 1.5-hour lessons
Class size
Maximum 6 students
Taught in
English
Fees for this class are set out on our schedule and fees page. Every class is capped at six students.
Does this sound familiar?
Signs your child may need this class
- Revises hard and still loses marks on explanation questions
- Can state a definition but not apply it to a new situation
- Finds calculation questions in Physics and Chemistry unreliable
- Is aiming for a particular upper secondary combination
What changes at S2
Lower secondary Science stops rewarding recall somewhere around S2. Questions begin asking students to apply a concept to a situation they have not seen, and to write the reasoning out. Students who have been revising by memorising notice this first in their marks rather than in their understanding.
How we teach it
Each concept is paired with the kind of question that tests it. Students write their own answer, then compare it against a model and identify the difference themselves. With six students at most, every piece of written work is read each week.
What the class covers
- Particulate nature of matter, and separation techniques
- Chemical changes, acids, bases and salts
- Energy — light, sound, heat and transfer
- Electricity and magnetism
- Cells, and the human digestive, circulatory and respiratory systems
- Structured answering and the language of explanation
What's included
- Weekly live lesson with guided practice
- Marked written answers with comments
- Concept summaries to keep for revision
- Make-up options if a lesson is missed
Questions parents ask
Does this follow my child's school?
Schools sequence lower secondary Science differently and some split it by discipline earlier than others. Tell us the school and we will say how closely we line up before you commit.
How much does S2 actually matter?
It determines the subject combination available at upper secondary, which narrows what is possible later. That is a reason to take it seriously without treating it as a national exam.
My child wants to take Pure Sciences. Is that realistic?
Tell us where they currently stand and we will give you an honest view rather than an encouraging one. It usually depends less on aptitude than on whether explanation technique has been addressed.
More general questions are answered on our FAQ page, and our reasoning for capping every class at six is set out in about us.
Ask about S2 Science
We will confirm current availability and let you know whether this class is the right fit for your child.
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