About
In Science pupils will study the 3 disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics from year 7 to year 11.
Our aim is to engage and challenge all to reach their potential.
We follow the KS3 curriculum up until the end of the second term in year 9 and then pupils will start KS4.
At KS3 pupils follow a scheme of work based on ‘Exploring Science’ which is a practical and exciting coarse aimed at helping pupils:
-Learn how to investigate the world around them scientifically;
-Develop the Literacy skills to communicate their ideas about Science and;
-Form the foundation of scientific knowledge they need for KS4.
Formative assessment takes place regularly during lessons with summative assessments at the end of every topic and the end of the year.
Homework in year 7 and 8 is usually set and completed on-line with homework club (Monday-Thursday) available to support this.
Pupils in KS4 are guided onto a pathway which suits their abilities and aspirations. GCSE students follow the AQA specification.
At KS5 pupils can choose to study Biology, Chemistry or Physics. We follow the OCR specification.
Staff
Mr. L. Willis (Head of Department)
Mr. G. Riggans (KS3 Science Coordinator)
Mr. J. Taiwo (Science Teacher)
Mr. A. Scantlebury (Science Teacher/Yr. 9 HOL)
Ms. J. Alifande (Science Technician)
Mr. J. Pearson (Science Teacher)
Dr. R. Giles (Science Teacher)
Ms. N. Vaghela (Science Teacher / Head of Yr. 7)
KS3
Year 7:
Topics not necessarily taught in this order:
Equipment and safety
BIOLOGY Units
Cells, tissues organs and systems
Sexual reproduction in animals
Ecosystems
Muscles and bones
Food and nutrition
CHEMISTRY Units
Acids and bases
The particle model
Atoms, elements and compounds
Combustion
PHYSICS Units
Energy
Mixtures and separation
Current electricity
Forces
Sound
Year 8:
BIOLOGY Units
Food and nutrition
Plants and their reproduction
Breathing and respiration
Unicellular organisms
Genetics and evolution
CHEMISTRY Units
Combustion
Metals and their uses
Making materials
Rocks
The periodic table
PHYSICS Units
Light
Fluids
Energy transfers
Earth and space
Year 9:
BIOLOGY Units
Health
Plants & Farming
Forensics
CHEMISTRY Units
Chemical Reactions
Pollution & Global Warming
Materials & their uses
PHYSICS Units
Satellites & Space
Pressure & Moments
Forces, Speed & Acceleration
KS4
Year 10: When pupils reach year 10 they will be guided onto an appropriate pathway that suits their needs and allows them to reach their full potential.
The 3 pathways are:
Single Science, Double Science and Triple Science.
Triple Science
Pupils doing the Triple Science pathway will do Biology, Chemistry and Physics, worth 3 GCSEs. Students put into group 1 will be following this route. This course is ideal for students that wish to go onto do 1 of the sciences at A-level.
Pupils sit 9 externally assessed written papers and 3 internally assessed ISAs over the 2 years.
Biology
BIOLOGY UNIT 1 (25%), BIOLOGY UNIT 2 (25%), BIOLOGY UNIT 3 (25%)
+ Biology ISA (25%)
Chemistry
CHEMISTRY UNIT 1 (25%), CHEMISTRY UNIT 2 (25%), CHEMISTRY UNIT 3 (25%)
+ Chemistry ISA (25%)
Physics
PHYSICS UNIT 1 (25%), PHYSICS UNIT 2 (25%), PHYSICS UNIT 3 (25%)
+ Physics ISA (25%)
Double Science
Pupils following the Double Science pathway will do Core Science (in year 10) and Additional Science (in year 11), worth 2 GCSEs. Pupils put into group 2 & 3 will be following this route.
Pupils sit 6 externally assessed written papers and 2 internally assessed ISAs over the 2 years.
Core Science
-3 Written papers: BIOLOGY UNIT 1 (25%), CHEMISTRY UNIT 1 (25%) AND PHYSICS UNIT 1 (25%)
-+ Core ISA (25%)
Each paper is 1 hour long and contains structured and closed questions as well as at least one question assessing Quality of Written Communication in a science context.
Additional Science
-3 Written papers: BIOLOGY UNIT 2 (25%), CHEMISTRY UNIT 2 (25%), PHYSICS UNIT 2 (25%)
-+ Additional ISA (25%)
Each paper is 1 hour long and contains structured and closed questions as well as at least one question assessing Quality of Written Communication in a science context.
Single Science
Pupils doing following the Single Science pathway will sit Core Science, worth 1 GCSE. This pathway is for students in the 2 lower groups.
Pupils sit 3 externally assessed written papers and 1 internally assessed ISA over the 2 years. Pupils will also be doing some extra Maths and English in year 11.
Core Science
-3 Written papers: BIOLOGY UNIT 1 (25%), CHEMISTRY UNIT 1 (25%) AND PHYSICS UNIT 1 (25%)
-+ Core ISA (25%)
Each paper is 1 hour long and contains structured and closed questions as well as at least one question assessing Quality of Written Communication in a science context.
Extra information concerning ISAs:
Teachers set the ISA and pupils are expected to research a valid method.
Pupils carry out an experiment during lesson time and complete 2 written assessments in class under controlled conditions.
Teachers mark the test, submit marks and a sample of the work for moderation.
Year 11:
Pupils in the current year 11 have been guided onto an appropriate pathway that suits their needs and allows them to reach their full potential.
The 3 pathways are:
BTEC Science, Double Science and Triple Science.
Triple Science
Pupils doing the Triple Science pathway will do Biology, Chemistry and Physics, worth 3 GCSEs. Students put into group 1 will be following this route.
Pupils sit 9 externally assessed written papers and 3 internally assessed ISAs over the 2 years.
Biology
BIOLOGY UNIT 1 (25%), BIOLOGY UNIT 2 (25%), BIOLOGY UNIT 3 (25%)
+ Biology ISA (25%)
Chemistry
CHEMISTRY UNIT 1 (25%), CHEMISTRY UNIT 2 (25%), CHEMISTRY UNIT 3 (25%)
+ Chemistry ISA (25%)
Physics
PHYSICS UNIT 1 (25%), PHYSICS UNIT 2 (25%), PHYSICS UNIT 3 (25%)
+ Physics ISA (25%)
Double Science
Pupils following the Double Science pathway will do Core Science (in year 10) and Additional Science (in year 11), worth 2 GCSEs. Pupils put into group 2 & 3 will be following this route.
Pupils sit 6 externally assessed written papers and 2 internally assessed ISAs over the 2 years.
Core Science
3 Written papers: BIOLOGY UNIT 1 (25%), CHEMISTRY UNIT 1 (25%) AND PHYSICS UNIT 1 (25%)
+ Core ISA (25%)
Each paper is 1 hour long and contains structured and closed questions as well as at least one question assessing Quality of Written Communication in a science context.
Additional Science
3 Written papers: BIOLOGY UNIT 2 (25%), CHEMISTRY UNIT 2 (25%), PHYSICS UNIT 2 (25%)
+ Additional ISA (25%)
Each paper is 1 hour long and contains structured and closed questions as well as at least one question assessing Quality of Written Communication in a science context.
BTEC Science
Pupils following the BTEC Science pathway will do BTEC Principles of Science over 2 years.
Pupils complete 3 units of internally assessed coursework and sit 1 externally assessed exam over the 2 years.
Pupils are graded with Distinction, Merit, Pass, L1 Pass or Fail
KS5
Year 12:
BIOLOGY
|
Module |
Chapter |
|
Practical Skills in Biology |
-Taught throughout other Modules |
|
Foundations in Biology |
-Basic components of living things -Biological molecules -Enzymes -Plasma membranes -Cell Division |
|
Exchange & Transport |
-Exchange surfaces & breathing -Transport in animals -Transport in plants |
|
Biodiversity, Evolution & Disease |
-Classification and evolution -Biodiversity -Communicable diseases |
CHEMISTRY
|
Module |
Chapter |
|
Practical Skills in Chemistry |
-Taught throughout other Modules |
|
Foundations in Chemistry |
-Atoms, ions & compounds -Amount of substance -Acids & redox -Electrons & bonding -Shapes of molecules & intermolecular forces |
|
Periodic Table & Energy |
-Periodicity -Reactivity Trends -Enthalpy -Reaction rates & equilibrium |
|
Core Organic Chemistry & Analysis |
-Basic concepts of organic Chemistry -Alkanes -Alkenes -Alcohols -Haloalkanes -Organic synthesis -Spectroscopy |
PHYSICS
|
Module |
Chapter |
|
Practical Skills in Physics |
-Taught throughout other Modules |
|
Foundations of Physics |
-Foundations of Physics
|
|
Forces & Motion |
-Motion -Forces in action -Work, energy & power -Materials -Laws of motion & momentum |
|
Electrons, Waves & Photons |
-Charge & current -Energy, power & resistance -Electrical circuits -Waves 1 -Waves 2 -Quantum Physics |
All pupils will be entered for the AS exams in the summer and those that do well will continue to do the full 2 year A-Level.
External exams for Biology, Chemistry & Physics
There are 2 externally assessed exams that pupils need to take for AS Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Both externally assessed components (01 and 02) contain some synoptic assessment. Component (02) contains some extended response questions.
Breadth in Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Component 01) – 50% of final mark
This component assesses content from across all teaching modules, 1–4. The component is worth 70 marks and is split into two sections and assesses content from all teaching modules. Learners answer all questions. Section A contains multiple choice questions. This section of the paper is worth 20 marks. Section B includes short answer question styles (structured questions, problem solving, calculations, practical). This section of the paper is worth 50 marks.
Depth in Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Component 02) – 50% of final mark
This component assesses content from across all teaching modules, 1–4. Learners answer all questions. This component is worth 70 marks. Question styles include short answer (structured questions, problem solving, calculations, practical) and extended response questions.
There are now no ISAs for year 12 pupils starting in 2015. Pupils will instead be developing their practical skills in Biology, Chemistry or Physics throughout the course and will maintain a Practical File as evidence for the Practical endorsement PASS/FAIL grade, which they can achieve if they decide to do the full 2 year A-level.
Revision Websites
www.my-gcsescience.com (GCSE classes)
www.bitesizescience.com (KS3 & KS4)
www.kerboodle.com (Year 12 Biology, Chemistry & Physics)