All students are entitled to a Science curriculum that matches their potential in the subject and is both enjoyable and demanding.
We aim:
- To develop learning skills and self confidence;
- To develop knowledge and understanding of how science explains the natural, physical and technological environments in which we live;
- To provide opportunity to consider how science shapes human development and consider the benefits and issues involved;
- To provide opportunities for students to appreciate how scientists work and the careers available through study of science
- To provide opportunities for developing Information Technology skills, particularly in the areas of data capture and its analysis, and computer modelling;
- To provide learning activities which develop communication skills, numeracy, problem solving skills and effective collaboration with others, recognising that these are important features of the science curriculum.
Department Staff:
- Subject Leader – Lisa Fraser
Assistant Subject Leader – Rebecca Harvey
Head of Physics – Rupert Boyle
Head of Chemistry – Jim Rounsley
Head of Biology – Linda Moore
Gifted and Talented Coordinator – Louise Evans
Biology – Charlotte Clarke
Chemistry / Physics – Tom Corbett
Chemistry – Chay Davis
HLTA – James Campbell
Technicians: Jean Windsor, Linda Sylvester & Maria Tanaka
Department Facilities:
The department consists of 8 Laboratories, 2 prep rooms, storage rooms and a department office.
Each laboratory has a digital projector. There are three interactive smart boards and all labs have access to the 30 laptops.
KEY STAGE 3
Key Stage 3 Scheme of Learning is based around the WIKID scheme of learning.
In years 7, 8 and 9, students are set into groups broadly based on ability.
Students study a range of content arranged in topical areas. They also look at how science works which involves developing explanations, arguments and making decisions as well as practical enquiry.
|
Year 7
|
Year 8
|
Year 9
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEY STAGE 4 – SCIENCE GCSE
YEAR 10 – GCSE Science, Entry Level Science, BTec Applied Science or Separate Sciences
At the moment, most students follow the OCR Specification A GCSE core Science course (21st Century Science)
- The course is examined by Unit Tests taken in January and June in year 10. Tests carry 66% of the marks for GCSE.
- Students are expected to complete their coursework CASE STUDY and DATA ANALYSIS in school during lesson time as directed by their teachers in year 10. Coursework carries 33% of the marks for GCSE.
Some students follow an ENTRY LEVEL course
- 39 short modules which are assessed through tests at the end of each module.
- Coursework is done in normal lessons.
- There are no formal test dates.
Some pupils follow the Separate Science Course where they study 3 Separate GCSE Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). This course is followed through to year 11. Each GCSE consists of Unit tests taken in June and coursework that they complete during the 2 year course. Coursework carries 33% of the marks for each GCSE.
| Year 10 Science GCSE | ||
|---|---|---|
| B1 You and your genes | B2 Keeping healthy | B3 Life on Earth |
| C1 Air quality | C2 Material choices | C3 Food matters |
| P1 The Earth in the Universe | P2 Radiation and life | P3 Radioactive materials |
| Year 10 Science Entry Level | ||
| Biology Modules | Chemistry Modules | Physics Modules |
|---|---|---|
| B1 Dead or Alive | C1 Acids and Alkalis | P1 The Digital Age |
| B2 Babies | C2 Cooking & Cleaning | P2 Power On! |
| B3 Extinction | C3 Colours and Smells | P3 Feel the Force |
| B4 Casualty | C4 Heavy Metal | P4 G-Force |
| B5 Building Bodies | C5 Fibres and Fabrics | P5 Let there be Light |
| B6 Control Systems | C6 Clean Air | P6 Watch this Space |
| B7 Gasping for Breath | C7 Strong Stuff | P7 A Burning Question |
| B8 Creepy Crawlies | C8 Restless Earth | P8 Deep Impacts |
| B9 Fooling your Senses | C9 How Fast? | P9 Sound Effects |
| B10 Green and Growing | C10 Sorting Out | P10 Hot Stuff |
| B11 From Field to Plate | C11 Rubbish | P11 Nuclear Power |
| B12 My Genes | C12 Fuels | P12 Full Spectrum |
| B13 Body Wars | C13 Food Chemicals | P13 Medical Rays |
YEAR 10 – BTec Applied Science
As of September 2010, we will be introducing the BTec Applied Science course. At the end of Year 9, pupils will be selected to either follow the GCSE Core Science or BTec Applied Science course, based on their suitability and desired pathway to Further education. The BTec course is 100% internally assessed and involves no exams. Students will either follow the Certificate course (2 GCSE equivalent) or the Diploma course (4 GCSE equivalent).
Year 11 – GCSE Additional, Additional Applied Science and BTec Applied Science
At present all students will follow an Additional Science option of 21st Century Science to gain a second GCSE in Science in year 11.
Year 11 – Additional Science
| Some students will take Additional Science assessed by: | ||
| Unit 1 Test – Modules B4, C4, P4 | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 2 Test – Modules B5, C5, P5 | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 3 Test – Modules B6, C6, P6 | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 4 Test – Ideas and Evidence | 45 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 5 – Practical Investigation | Coursework | 33.3% |
| B4 Homeostasis | B5 Growth and development | B6 Brain and mind |
| C4 Chemical patterns | C5 Chemicals of the natural environment | C6 Chemical synthesis |
| P4 Explaining motion | P5 Electric circuits | P6 The wave model of radiation |
| Some students will take Additional Applied Science. They will study 3 units. Each unit will have a unit test worth 16.7 % of the GCSE | ||
| Unit Test: Life Care | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit Test: Scientific Detection | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit Test: Harnessing Chemicals | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Students will also need to complete coursework worth 50% of the grade. The coursework consists of a work related report, a suitability test and a series of standard procedures. Unit test will occur in January and June. | ||
| GCSE Biology – Some students will study GCSE Biology throughout year 10 and year 11. This involves 3 unit exams and a coursework component. | ||
| Unit 1 (modules B1, B2, B3) | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 2 (modules B4,B5, B6) | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 3 Ideas and Evidence | 60 mins | 33.3% |
| Unit 4 or Unit 5 | Coursework | 33.3% |
| Unit 1 Exam will be June at the end of year 10 | ||
| Unit 2 and unit 3 exam will be June at the end of year 11 | ||
| GCSE Chemistry – Some students will study GCSE Chemistry throughout year 10 and year 11. Some students will study GCSE Chemistry throughout year 10 and year 11. This involves 3 unit exams and a coursework component. | ||
| Unit 1 (modules C1, C2, C3) | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 2 (modules C4, C5, C6) | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 3 Ideas and Evidence | 60 mins | 33.3% |
| Unit 4 or Unit 5 | Coursework | 33.3% |
| Unit 1 Exam will be June at the end of year 10 | ||
| Unit 2 and unit 3 exam will be June at the end of year 11 | ||
| GCSE Physics – Some students will study GCSE Physics throughout year 10 and year 11. Some students will study GCSE Physics throughout year 10 and year 11. This involves 3 unit exams and a coursework component. | ||
| Unit 1 (modules P1, P2, P3) | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 2 (modules P4, P5, P6) | 40 mins | 16.7% |
| Unit 3 Ideas and Evidence | 60 mins | 33.3% |
| Unit 4 or Unit 5 | Coursework | 33.3% |
| Unit 1 Exam will be June at the end of year 10 | ||
| Unit 2 and unit 3 exam will be June at the end of year 11 | ||
Year 11 BTec Applied Science
As of September 2010, we will be replacing the Additional Applied Science course with the BTec in Applied Science. This is a 100% internally assessed course with no exams. Students will follow the Certificate course (2 GCSE equivalent).