Science at Stanborough helps to develop students’ interest, understanding and enthusiasm for the subject.
We encourage practical and theoretical engagement in the subject and support students in understanding the importance of science to the economy and society today. Students develop science skills in all three disciplines – biology, chemistry and physics.
In Year 7 and 8 students study a variety of topics that broaden their understanding and curiosity for science. During their three hour lessons per week students cover separate chemistry, biology and physics topics, to prepare and give them the basic understanding of key concepts that will be developed further at KS4.
In biology students cover topics that include: cells, food, health and fitness, ecosystems, inheritance and variation and energy for life.
In chemistry students cover: the particle model of matter, acids and alkalis, simple chemical reactions, the periodic table and the earth and the atmosphere.
In physics students cover topics relating to: energy, forces, electricity and magnetism, light and sound and heat and space.
Throughout the Key Stage 3 curriculum the development of skills for practical work are introduced and developed to support students in becoming more independent enquirers and to prepare them for the practical skills elements of KS4.
In KS4:
KS4 starts at the beginning of Year 9. Students follow one of two pathways for science, both of which are examined by AQA. These pathways are ‘Trilogy’ or ‘Separate Science’. Trilogy is a double GCSE so students attain two GCSE grades at the end of Year 11. Separate Science awards three GCSEs (one per science discipline).
Trilogy (two Science GCSEs)
Trilogy is a course suitable for all students and covers a range of topics in biology, chemistry and physics. It allows students to engage with science and develop skills required to study science at a higher level. Topics covered include:
Biology: cell biology, organisation, infection and response, bioenergetics, homeostasis and response, inheritance, variation and evolution and ecology.
Chemistry: atomic structure and the periodic table, bonding, structure, and the properties of matter, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, energy changes, the rate and extent of chemical change, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, chemistry of the atmosphere and using resources.
Physics: energy, electricity, particle model of matter, atomic structure, forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism.
Each science discipline has seven required practicals that students must complete in order to develop their investigative skills which are assessed in the exams at the end of Year 11.
