Science

The primary aim of the Science Department is to provide a broad basis of scientific knowledge for all pupils. Furthermore, we provide a more specialised science course specifically for those who wish to continue their studies in Further Education or pursue careers in Science, such as Pharmacy, Dentistry, Medicine and Engineering. Science is about curiosity, healthy scepticism and a critical evaluation of evidence. At the School, pupils take an active part in the design, carrying out and evaluation of their experiments in our well‐equipped laboratory.

Resources to support your child:

Contents:

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 And 9) Pupils Will:

All pupils follow a foundation course during which they acquire scientific knowledge and develop practical skills in a safe, secure environment.

The course builds on work from Key Stage 2 science. The topics covered over the three years provide a grounding in biology, chemistry, and physics, together with a range of skills essential to the G.C.S.E. science course. Students are assessed by tests in the autumn, spring, and summer terms, by end-of-topic tests, and activities throughout the year.

Year 7

  • Forces: Speed, Gravity
  • Electromagnets: Voltage and Resistance, Current
  • Energy: Energy Costs, Energy Transfer
  • Waves: Sound, Light
  • Matter: Particle Model, Separating Mixtures
  • Reactions: Metals and Non-metals, Acids and Alkalis
  • Earth: Earth Structure, Universe
  • Organisms: Movement, Cells
  • Ecosystem: Interdependence, Plant Reproduction
  • Genes: Variation, Human Reproduction

Year 8

  • Forces
  • Contact Forces
  • Pressure
  • Electromagnets
  • Magnetism
  • Energy
  • Work
  • Heating and Cooling
  • Waves
  • Wave Effects
  • Wave Properties
  • Matter
  • Periodic Table
  • Elements
  • Reactions
  • Chemical Energy
  • Types of Reaction
  • Earth
  • Climate
  • Earth Resources
  • Organisms
  • Breathing
  • Digestion
  • Ecosystem

Year 9

In the Autumn term, Year 9 students follow schemes of learning based around the Science National Curriculum framework. Activities that promote key scientific concepts and literacy skills have been built into the schemes. Learning is focused on helping students develop their scientific enquiry skills. Gaps in knowledge and understanding are revisited, and the AQA KS3 syllabus is followed to ensure that students are ready for the demands of GCSE Science.

In the spring term, the students start the AQA GCSE science course, beginning with the Biology topics. Each topic builds on prior learning from KS3 and develops the students’ knowledge and understanding further.

  • Cells and Organisation: Cell Structure and Transport, Cell Division, Organisation and the Digestive System, Organising Animals and Plants
  • Disease and Bioenergetics: Communicable Diseases, Preventing and Treating Disease, Non-communicable Diseases, Respiration
  • Biological Responses: The Human Nervous System, Hormonal Coordination, Principles of Hormonal Control
  • Genetics and Evolution: Reproduction, Variation and Evolution
  • Ecology: Adaptations, Interdependence, and Competition, Organising an Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Ecosystems
  • Maths Skills for Biology: MS1 Arithmetic and Numerical Computation, MS2 Handling Data, MS3 Algebra, MS4 Data and Graphs, MS5 Geometry and Trigonometry
  • Working Scientifically: WS1 Development of Scientific Thinking, WS2 Experimental Skills and Strategies, WS3 Analysis and Evaluation

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 And 11) Pupils Will:

Pupils study all three sciences using a variety of resources suited to their ability. We follow the New AQA GCSE Science Trilogy which has six assessment units and leads to a double award GCSE. Throughout the year, pupils will study topics in all three Sciences, focusing mainly on chemistry. Each topic builds on prior learning from KS3 and develops the students’ knowledge and understanding further. They will be assessed on three units (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) by six written examinations taken in the summer of Year 11.

  • Atoms, Bonding, and Moles: Atomic Structure, The Periodic Table, Structure and Bonding, Chemical Calculations
  • Chemical Reactions and Energy Changes: Chemical Changes, Electrolysis, Energy Changes
  • Rates, Equilibrium, and Organic Chemistry: Rates and Equilibrium, Crude Oil and Fuels
  • Analysis and the Earth’s Resources: The Earth’s Atmosphere, The Earth’s Resources
  • Maths Skills for Biology: MS1 Arithmetic and Numerical Computation, MS2 Handling Data, MS3 Algebra, MS4 Data and Graphs, MS5 Geometry and Trigonometry
  • Working Scientifically: WS1 Development of Scientific Thinking, WS2 Experimental Skills and Strategies, WS3 Analysis and Evaluation
  • Developing Practical Skills: Researching and Planning an Investigation, Practical Work, Data Processing, Analysis, and Evaluating

Pupils continue studying all three sciences with a focus on consolidating their knowledge and preparing for the final assessments. The curriculum includes:

  • Continued Development of Practical Skills: Further Research, Planning, Practical Work, Data Analysis, and Evaluating
  • Preparation for Written Examinations: Review and Assessment of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Units