Science
Through our science curriculum, we aim to develop individuals who have a curiosity to be able to ask the right questions and have the skills and knowledge to be able to answer these, and to understand the implications of the answers. Science is vital to the future of our world and we teach our students the essential knowledge and skills which they need to better understand it. We provide students with the foundations for understanding our world through the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, enhanced with practical experiences which we hope will ignite within them a curiosity and excitement to find out more. We ensure that students have a firm knowledge and skill base to be able to confidently progress between Key Stages.
GCSE Science
Students have two options to study GCSE Science, both of which follow the AQA specifications.
‘GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy’ is a two GCSE course where students study Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students are taught by subject specialists and have 3 lessons of each subject a fortnight.
AQA 8464: GCSE Combined Science Trilogy
Examinations take place at the end of Year 11, there are two exams per subject and the GCSE grades achieved are an average of the 6 exams. This means that students achieve a pair of grades that represent their achievements across all three subjects.
Students opting to take the separate science courses take separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students are taught by subject specialists and there are, on average, 4.5 lessons a fortnight of each subject across Year 10 and Year 11. Examinations take place at the end of Year 11, there are two exams per subject and as they are separate GCSEs each grade is unrelated to the other subjects.
Required Practicals form part of both courses and students gain mastery of practical techniques across Biology, Chemistry and Physics by completing these practicals first-hand. Questions in the AQA examinations test students’ knowledge, analysis and evaluation skills of these important practical activities.
KS5 Biology, Chemistry, Physics
All three A Level courses follow the AQA specification. The courses are delivered by subject specialists in subject specific labs and students have 9 lessons per fortnight. Examinations take place at the end of Year 13, there are 3 exams which are each equal to approximately 33% of the course. Students taking the AS course are co-taught with A level students as the Year 12 curriculum is common content. In addition to the exams there are 12 required practical activities in the course. Students are judged on their practical competence and receive a pass when they successfully complete these activities.
Facilities
Students are taught in one or more of the 13 labs in the Science Faculty, 6 of which have been recently refurbished.
Extra Curriculum
A range of extracurricular activities are available to students in all key stages, in addition to the extensive support sessions available.
Key Stage 3 Learning Objectives
Year 7
| Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Energy
Organisms
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Matter
âGenes
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Electricity
Reactions
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Forces
ecosystems
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Earth
Waves
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Year 8
| Unit 6 | Unit 7 | Unit 8 | Unit 9 | Unit 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Energy
Genes
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Matter
Organisms
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Electricity
Reactions
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Forces
Ecosystems
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Earth
Waves
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Year 9
| Unit 1 | Unit 2 | End Of Key Stage 3 Exam |
|---|---|---|
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Energy Resources Energy Transfer by Heating Molecules and Matter Energy Conservation and Dissipation Genetics and Evolution Making Materials Forces and Motion Triplet Test 1 |
Plant Growth Reactivity Force and Fields and Electromagnets Triplet Test 2 |
After the end of Key Stage 3 exam, students start to study GCSE, with a focus on key skills and introductory content. |
Key Stage 4 Learning Objectives
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Exam Board |
AQA |
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Assessed by |
Written examinations |
Overview
Aspects of all three Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, must be studied at GCSE in order to fulfil National Curriculum requirements.
There are two options available for students:
- Students gain two GCSE Science grades
Or
- Students can opt for a wider breadth of Science by taking the three separate Science GCSEs (Triple Science).
Students are advised to discuss these options with their Science teachers. Whichever alternative is chosen, lessons are taught by specialist staff in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Both routes contain the same level of challenge, allowing students to fulfil their potential and both are suitable for progression to A-levels in Biology, Chemistry or Physics following a good performance at Higher Level.
Option 1 - GCSE “Combined Science: Trilogy” (AQA):
This route allows students to keep their options open and to study a wider range of other subjects at GCSE (approximately half of our students usually choose this option). This Combined Science course consists of equal proportions of Biology, Chemistry and Physics; it is taught as separate subjects and all the exams will be at the end of Year 11. By following this route, students will obtain two GCSE grades in “Combined Science: Trilogy”.
(Please note that we do not offer the GCSE in “Combined Science: Synergy” which is an Integrated Science course and not suitable as a basis for studying A-level in the future).
Option 2 - Triple Science - GCSEs in “Biology”, “Chemistry” and “Physics” (AQA):
For those students who have proven ability in Science and are considering a university course or career in the Sciences, then the separate Science GCSEs are recommended. This will mean that they will obtain three GCSE grades, one each in “Biology”, “Chemistry” and “Physics”, each of which may be a different grade. This is the best option for students who are likely to take Science A-Levels.
Key Stage 5 Learning Objectives
| Physics | Biology | Chemistry |
|---|---|---|
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