Subjects
Science
In Science we cover all 3 main aspects, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We look to help the students learn and understand science so that they can apply their knowledge and emerge as students who are informed about the science around them. At KS4 some students with a particular interest in science can choose to study Triple Science as part of their options.
Aims:
- To provide a high quality science education that provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
- To develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help students to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
- To equip students with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
Content:
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
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Key assessment details:
Students’ progress will be continually assessed by their responses in class, their written classwork and their homework tasks. In addition, a facts test will be set at the end of each half term and an examination will be sat at the end of the year. The tests assess factual recall of the knowledge defined in the programme of study. The end of year exam will test both factual knowledge and scientific skills ie experimental design and data analysis. The end of year school grade will be given based on the students’ performance in the tests and in the examination.
Grades will range from 1 to 7 in year 7 and 1-8 in year 8 (with 8 being the highest grade obtainable).
Aims:
- To provide a high quality science education that provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
- To develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help students to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
- To equip students with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
Content:
Year 9 – Combined Science |
Year 10 – Combined Science |
Year 11 – Combined Science |
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In Years 9, 10 and 11 students will be assessed regularly using end of topic tests in which they are expected to reach their target grade. Informal assessment is also done through exam style questions as well as through homework. There will also be a formal exam at the end of Yr 9 and Yr 10 where all content covered in the year will be tested. In Year 11 students will sit a formal mock examination in the autumn term.
In May and June they will sit their written examinations, which consist of 6 1 hour 15 min papers, 2 in Biology, 2 in Chemistry and 2 in Physics. These scores are combined to give them 2 grades. Students will be entered at either Foundation or Higher Tier across the four skill areas. Foundation Tier will give access to grades 1-1 to 5- 5 and Higher Tier to grades 4- 4 to 9 -9.
Triple Science:
Those students following the purple pathway will be able to take triple science as one of their options. They will have 15 lessons of science over 2 weeks, 5 Physics, 5 Chemisty and 5 Biology and will be awarded 3 separate GCSEs at the end of Year 11.
Additional content:
Alongside the content covered in Combined Science, at KS4 students also study:
- Biology The brain, DNA, speciation, food production and plant disease.
- Chemistry Analytical chemistry, Polymers, Industrial context of reactions
- Physics Advanced mechanics, pressure, electromagnetism, space
Key assessment details:
Alongside the same testing as students who follow Combined Science, in Year 11 students will also sit 6 papers, (2 for Chemistry, 2 for Biology and 2 for Chemistry) but each will be 1 hour 45 minutes.