Curriculum

Science

Aims: 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:

HoD Lisa Fraser
Rupert Boyle
Rebecca Harvey
Alex Raeside
Jim Rounsley
Linda Moore
Louise Evans
Chay Davis

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 is one interactive smart board and all labs have access to the 30 laptops.

Structure at KS3:

KEY STAGE 3

Key Stage 3 Scheme of Learning is adapted from the QCA scheme of Work.
Students are taught in mixed ability tutor groups in year 7.
In years 8 and 9, students are set into groups taking the 3-6 tier paper and those taking the 5-7 tier paper in SATS
Students study a range of content arranged in topic areas. They also look at how science works which involves developing explanations, arguments and making decisions as well as practical enquiry.

Year 7

Cells
Particle Theory of Solids Liquids & Gases
Energy Resources
Reproduction

Solutions
Forces and Effects
Variation & Classification
Simple Chemical Reaction

Electrical Circuits
Acids and Alkalis
Solar System and Beyond
Environment and Feeding

Year 8

Atoms and Elements
Compounds and Mixtures
Feeding and Digestion
Heating and Cooling

·Weathering of Rocks
·The Rock Cycle

Light
Sound and Hearing
Respiration

Microbes and Disease
Magnets and Electromagnets
Ecology

Year 9

Energy and Electricity
Reactions of Metals & Metal Compounds
Speeding Up
Fitness and Health

Patterns in Reactions
Using Chemistry
Pressure & Moments
Plants & Photosynthesis

Environmental Chemistry
Plants and Food
Gravity and Space
Inheritance& Selection

Structure at KS4:

SCIENCE GCSE

YEAR 10 - GCSE Science, Entry Level Science or Separate Sciences

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 C1 Air quality P1 The Earth in the Universe		B2 Keeping healthy C2 Material choices P2 Radiation and life	B3 Life on Earth C3 Food matters P3 Radioactive materials
Year 10 Science Entry Level
Biology Modules B1 Dead or Alive B2 Babies B3 Extinction B4 Casualty B5 Building Bodies B6 Control Systems B7 Gasping for Breath B8 Creepy Crawlies B9 Fooling your Senses B10 Green and Growing B11 From Field to Plate B12 My Genes B13 Body Wars	Chemistry Modules C1 Acids and Alkalis C2 Cooking & Cleaning C3 Colours and Smells C4 Heavy Metal C5 Fibres and Fabrics C6 Clean Air C7 Strong Stuff C8 Restless Earth C9 How Fast? C10 Sorting Out C11 Rubbish C12 Fuels C13 Food Chemicals		Physics Modules P1 The Digital Age P2 Power On! P3 Feel the Force P4 G-Force P5 Let there be Light P6 Watch this Space P7 A Burning Question P8 Deep Impacts P9 Sound Effects P10 Hot Stuff P11 Nuclear Power P12 Full Spectrum P13 Medical Rays

Year 11 - GCSE Additional or Additional Applied Science

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 C4 Chemical patterns P4 Explaining motion	B5 Growth and development C5 Chemicals of the natural environment P5 Electric circuits	B6 Brain and mind C6 Chemical synthesis P6 The wave model of radiation
Year 11 Additional Applied Science 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.