Curriculum
Science
Why study science?
Each scientific discipline gives pupils a unique perspective to explain the world around them. As pupils learn science, they also learn about its uses and significance to society and their own lives. Pupils learn about the continuing importance of science in solving global challenges such as climate change, food availability, controlling disease and access to water. The curriculum is designed to build substantive knowledge of scientific concepts and disciplinary procedures. By doing so, pupils can reason scientifically about phenomena with increasing sophistication and can use their knowledge to work scientifically with increasing expertise.
How will I study science?
Pupils study Science through both substantive and disciplinary knowledge. Each topic covers a sequence of lessons that builds sophisticated language through the delivery of scientific concepts and working scientifically. This goes beyond simply doing practical work or collecting data, it includes learning about the concepts and procedures that scientists use to develop scientific explanations. These are revisited throughout the course to gain a deeper understanding and equip pupils with a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics making connections between these subject areas.
What will I study at Key Stage 3?
We encourage our pupils to be curious about the world around them and to develop a positive and practical approach to scientific learning. In key stage 3, we build an understanding of the ‘Big Ideas’ in science that are relevant to pupils’ lives during and beyond school. We achieve this through a wide and varied curriculum in which pupils are regularly challenged and reviewed. Pupils will develop an understanding that science is about working objectively and is continually changing and developing in the world around us.
What will I study at Key Stage 4?
Teaching science in key stage 4 continues to build upon and deepen the substantive and disciplinary knowledge and understanding developed in earlier key stages. In Biology, the topics covered seek to understand living organisms and life. It takes into account the complex systems involving interactions between genes, the environment and random chance. Physics builds its explanations on measurable quantities that can be put into numerical relationships. Chemistry draws heavily on the use of models and modelling to explain the behaviour of matter and routinely involves the synthesis of the objects it studies. Pupils continue to work scientifically and think like a scientist through a broad, coherent and practical based curriculum that will challenge and inspire students.
What will I study at Key Stage 5?
At our Sixth Form, pupils are able to study A Levels in Biology, Chemistry or Physics. In A Level Biology, learners will enhance their understanding of biological processes and practical skills. During their A Level course learners will develop their practical skills and learn about cells, how they support the transport and exchange of substances, the diverse world around us, and how the body fights disease. They will also learn how the body maintains its internal environment and releases energy, how genes control our features and how organisms evolve over time.
In A Level Chemistry, learners will enhance their understanding of chemical theory and practical skills. During the course learners will consolidate the foundations in chemistry after which the trends in groups and periods of the periodic table are studied. This year ends with an introduction to core organic chemistry whilst incorporating the required practical activities within each topic. During the following year, transition elements of the periodic table are introduced and physical chemistry is studied. Knowledge of organic chemistry is further developed and analytical techniques are studied and practical skills are integrated within topics. Learners work scientifically and think like a scientist through a broad, coherent and practical based curriculum that will challenge and inspire learners.
In A Level Physics, leaners will build on their GCSE knowledge and understanding of the theory and practical skills required at A Level. They will study important conventions and ideas that permeate the fabric of physics. This includes electricity and electrical circuits, waves, Newtons Laws, astrophysics, magnetic and gravitation fields as well as thermal, nuclear and particle physics.
Assessment at Key Stage 4
Pupils will complete GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics with a small number of students completing Combined Science
GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy AQA 8464
Biology Paper 1 (8464/B/1H)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
|
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes |
Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, closed short answer questions and extended open response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Biology Paper 2 (8464/B/2H)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE |
Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, closed short answer questions and extended open response questions. |
Chemistry Paper 1 (1SC0/1CH, 1SC0/1CF)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE |
Chemistry topics 8–12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, closed short answer questions and extended open response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Chemistry Paper 2 (1SC0/2CH, 1SC0/2CF)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE |
Chemistry topics 13–17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, closed short answer questions and extended open response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Physics Paper 1 (1SC0/1PH, 1SC0/1PF)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE |
Physics topics 18–21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, closed short answer questions and extended open response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Physics Paper 2 (1SC0/2PH, 1SC0/2PF)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE |
Physics topics 22–24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, closed short answer questions and extended open response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Assessment at Key Stage 4
GCSE Separate Science AQA Biology 8461, Chemistry 8462, Physics 8463
Biology Paper 1 (8461/1H)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
Topics 1–4: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, structured, closed short answer and open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Biology Paper 2 (8461/2H)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
Topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, structured, closed short answer and open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Chemistry Paper 1 (8462/1H)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
Topics 1–5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes. |
Chemistry Paper 2 (8462/2H)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
Topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, structured, closed short answer and open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Physics Paper 1 (8463/1H)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
Topics 1-4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, structured, closed short answer and open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Physics Paper 2 (8463/2H)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
Topics 5-8: Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; and Space physics. Questions in paper 2 may draw on an understanding of energy changes and transfers due to heating, mechanical and electrical work and the concept of energy conservation from Energy and Electricity. A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, structured, closed short answer and open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Assessment at Key Stage 5
A-Level in Chemistry A (7405)
Paper 1: (7405/01)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written Exam: 2 hours Total: 105 marks 35% of A-Level |
A mixture of short and long answer questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Paper 2: (7405/02)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written Exam: 2 hours Total: 105 marks 35% of A-Level |
A mixture of short and long answer questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Paper 3: (7405/03)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written Exam: 2 hours Total: 90 marks 32% of A-Level |
40 marks of questions on practical techniques and data analysis 20 marks of questions testing across the specification 30 marks of multiple-choice questions Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Assessment at Key Stage 5
A-Level in Physics (7408)
Paper 1: (7408/01)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written Exam: 2 hours Total: 85 marks 34% of A-Level |
Sections 1-5: Measurements and their errors; Particles and radiation; Waves; Mechanics and materials; Electricity and 6.1 Periodic motion. 60 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 multiple choice questions on content. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Paper 2: (7408/02)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written Exam: 2 hours Total: 85 marks 34% of A-Level |
Sections 6.2 Thermal Physics and 7,8: Fields and their consequences; Nuclear physics. 60 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 multiple choice questions on content. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Paper 3: (7402/03)
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
|
Written Exam: 2 hours
|
Section A: Compulsory section: Practical skills and data analysis Section B: Optional Section: Astrophysics 45 marks of short and long answer questions on practical experiments and data analysis. 35 marks of short and long answer questions on optional topic. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Careers
The study of Science can lead to future careers ranging from Paramedic, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist to Aerospace Engineer, Vet and Pharmacist. Famous Science graduates include David Attenborough (Natural Scientist), Helen Sharman (first female and first British astronaut to visit the International space station), Angela Merkel (German Chancellor).
Useful Resources and Revision Support
- www.aqa.org.uk
- www.kerboodle.com
- https://www.my-gcsescience.com/
- https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/
- https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/
- https://www.youtube.com/user/MaChemGuy
- http://www.knockhardy.org.uk/sci.htm
- https://www.chemguide.co.uk/
- https://www.youtube.com/user/Biorach
- physicsandmathstutor.com/biology