Science

Intro needed

What are your aims?

To encourage students to:

Develop their interest, understanding and enthusiasm for science, through practical and theoretical engagement with the subject
To appreciate the importance of science in its contributions to the economy and society and to understand how society makes decisions about scientific issues
To develop How Science Works skills (planning, collection of data, analysis, evaluation and application) that extend their skills beyond the science classroom
To provide students with knowledge of the applications of each science discipline that may stimulate their interest to pursue higher qualifications or careers in biology, chemistry and/or physics.

What will students study?

In KS3:

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.

Separate Sciences (three science GCSEs)

The Separate Sciences course has significant overlap with the Trilogy course. However, students will go into more depth in regard to the content and the number of required practicals. This course is suited to those students who wish to pursue further study in biology, chemistry and/or physics at A level and beyond.

In KS5:

A levels in Science are all linear so are examined at the end of year 13.

Biology (OCR)

A level Biology consists of six modules:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology
Module 2: Foundation of Biology
Module 3: Exchange and transport
Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease
Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy
Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Chemistry (EDEXCEL)

A level Chemistry consists of six modules:

Module 1: The core principles of chemistry
Module 2: Applications of the core principles of chemistry
Module 3: Chemistry laboratory skills I
Module 4: General principles of chemistry I- rates, equilibria and further organic chemistry
Module 5: General principles of chemistry II- transition metals and organic nitrogen chemistry
Module 6: Chemistry laboratory skills II

Physics (OCR)

A level Physics consists of 6 modules:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics
Module 2: Foundation of physics
Module 3: Forces and motion
Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons
Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics
Module 6: Particles and medical physics

In addition, in all three A-levels the students are expected to complete The Practical Endorsement. This requires a minimum of 12 practical activities to be carried out in lessons and written up by the students. The skills learnt are assessed in the module exams at the end of the two year course.

How can I support my child in this subject?

Encourage your child to complete all additional tasks that are set outside lessons to the best of their ability
Discuss regularly with your child their progress within science lessons
Encourage regular review of work (there is a lot of content that students are expected to recall and apply)
Support and motivate to ensure preparation for assessments and end of year exams. Past papers are an excellent tool to assist with revision.

What equipment does my child need in this subject?

Calculator (scientific calculator from KS4)
Ruler, pens, pencils and an eraser

Celebrating successes in this subject.

Certificates are issued when competitions are completed
Reward points are issued
Achievements are praised in assemblies

Extra-Curricular Activities and Visits

STEM club – allows students to work on independent projects
Chemistry Olympiad – extends the knowledge of Post 16 students by entering a UK wide competition
Cambridge Challenge –extends the knowledge of Post 16 students by entering an UK wide competition in chemistry
I’m a Scientist – a year group have live chats to scientists. This year a Year 8 student won!
Salters Festival – competition for Years 7 and 8 students where they compete against other schools using investigative skills to solve a ‘crime’
Numerous Post 16 trips – including university lectures and use of equipment within universities
Work Experience for Post 16 students – students spent a week working alongside professional scientists at GSK which was an invaluable experience
Seeds From Space – Year 8 students have just planted seeds that have been sent from Commander Scott Kelly of NASA and Russian cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergey Volkov of Roscosmos
Royal Society of Chemistry Spectroscopy in a suitcase workshops with Imperial graduates
Royal Society of Chemistry – public lectures
UCL Medicinal Chemistry lab day and tour
Royal Society Annual Summer Science Exhibition Visit every July

In addition, all KS3 students have a week during British Science Week where they partake in a range of hands on activities that extend their application of science beyond that required by the national curriculum