Science

Curriculum Information

Subject rationale – Why study the subject? What benefits does it bring.

Science is the area of study where students are taught the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. All pupils are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Pupils are encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

KS3 Curriculum Overview

Our aim at KS3 is to build a body of key knowledge and concepts in such a way that pupils are enthused about their science lessons. Practical activities are used as much as possible as they make a great impression on pupils and help trigger memories about the science involved long after the lesson has ended. We take every opportunity to enrich the understanding of the science disciplines. The flexibility offered in KS3 is taken on board to make content as stimulating and horizon-widening as possible, a broad and balanced curriculum is our main aim.

Years 7,8 and 9 are taught using the Exploring Science scheme.

In Year 7 pupils explore the following topics. Click on the below links for a summary of each topic:

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

In year 8 pupils explore the following topics. Click on the below links for a summary of each topic:

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

In year 9 pupils explore the following key stage 3 topics up to Christmas. After Christmas, they begin working towards their GCSE.

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Year 9 GCSE topics:

Biology - GCSE Topic 1:key concepts in biology

Chemistry

GCSE Topic 2: states of matter; methods of separating and purifying substances.
GCSE Topic 1 : atomic structure; periodic table
GCSE Topic 8: Earth and atmosphere science

Physics - GCSE Topic 2: motion and forces;

KS4 Curriculum Overview for Years 10 and 11

There are two pathways at Key Stage 4, which ensures that all students follow the course which is best suited to their needs and interests:

GCSE Triple Science- where students study all three sciences and end up with three GCSE grades, one for Biology, one for Chemistry and one for Physics.

Classes studying Triple Science: X1 and X2

GCSE Combined Science - where students study all three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) but end up with two GCSEs. They are awarded two GCSE grades based on their overall performance across all three science subjects.

Classes studying Combined Science: X3 and X4; Y1,Y2and Y3; W1 and W2

GCSE Exam board

The information below is correct from September 2023.

In year 10, 10X1 and 10X2 are following the AQA specification for Physics only. Click on the link below to access the AQA GCSE specifications:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463/specification-at-a-glance

All other year 10 and year 11 classes are following the Pearson Edexcel specifications. Click on the link below to access the Pearson Edexcel GCSE specifications

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/sciences-2016.html

KS4 Assessment Overview

Year 10

November - assessments composed of GCSE questions
May - GCSE paper 1 in all three sciences

Year 11

December - GCSE paper 1 in all three sciences
March - GCSE paper 2 in all three sciences

Click on the links below to find the GCSE specifications:

Edexcel specifications

Revision Guidance

Revision Guides can be bought through Schoolcomms or directly from the science department. These are excellent resources for the students to be able to work independently at home.

Year 7-9

Revision guides: £4
Workbooks and answers: £6

GCSE Combined Science

Revision guides: £6
Workbook and answers: £7

GCSE Triple Science

Revision guide: £3.50

Workbook and answers: £4.50

Career opportunities

Chief scientific officer, doctor, nurse, weather forecaster, physiotherapist, teacher, science journalist, medical researcher, medical physicist, food scientist, arable famer, vet, wildlife photographer, oceanographer, waste disposal manager, landscape gardener, car designer, chemical engineer, mechanical engineer, sports coach.

Attachments/Links/Further Information

A useful website to help pupils learn their science work is: senecalearning.com

Enter KS3 science in the "Search for a course..." box:

You will then see all KS3 courses which you can revise.

Seneca can also be used to revise GCSE work too.

Year 7 and 8

Years 7, 8 and 9 are being taught our new science scheme of work using the Exploring Science publication and have access to the following textbooks in lessons: