Science
Course Overview
Science is a core subject delivered across all three key stages. In the KS3 years topics are taught from each of the three science areas, biology, chemistry and physics. The yearly teaching programmes for years 7 and 8 are organised into units of differing lengths. They each provide strong links with the key stage science National Curriculum. Pupils are also able to develop their scientific investigation skills through class experiments linked into the topic of study. Interwoven into all investigation are opportunities to develop student’s analytical and evaluative skills and develop their understanding of scientific techniques.
Science is delivered, successfully, at GCSE and four specialist sciences at A level. Within all courses high quality teaching, access to a wide range of resources, strong subject knowledge and a passionate delivery ensures we are able to facilitate a high level of learning. There are also various opportunities for trips that facilitate learning and give pupils the chance to see how science is used within society.
Click her for Science curriculum mapping
Key Stage 3 Science
Each year will study the topics listed below, with each group/set following a slightly different order. Three to four weeks are spent on each topic.
Year 7 topics
- Cells—the building blocks of life
- Eating, drinking and breathing
- Getting the energy the body needs
- Mixing, dissolving and separating
- Elements, compounds & reactions
- Forces and their effects
- Exploring contact and non contact forces
- Energy transfers and sound
Year 8 topics
- Looking at plants and ecosystems
- Variation for survival
- Our health and the effect of drugs
- Explaining Chemical changes
- Explaining physical changes
- Obtaining useful materials
- Using our earth sustainably
- Magnetism and electricity
- Motion on earth and in space
- Waves and energy transfer
Note: The Year 8 programme will continue into the autumn/spring terms of Year 9 followed by a spring term assessment. Year 9 then moves onto Key Stage 4 Science in the summer term.
Assessment
There will be short tests on each topic throughout Key Stage 3. Year 7 & 8 will sit Christmas, Easter and end of year exams (June) using SAT-style questions.
GCSE
AQA science double award
Pupils will study 2 units each for chemistry, physics and biology disciplines; additionally 2 practical assessments will be undertaken.
AQA triple award
Pupils will study 3 units each for chemistry, physics and biology disciplines; additionally 3 practical assessments will be undertaken.
pupils studying under the new GCSE Science curriculum to be assessed from summer 2018 are taking the following courses:
AQA Combined Science: Trilogy
Pupils will study two units for each biology, chemistry and physics disciplines. There is no coursework and the assessment is evenly spread across six 1 hour 15 minute papers.
AQA Separate Sciences in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Pupils will study two units containing extra content beyond the Combined course for each Biology, Chemistry and Physics subject. There is no coursework and the assessment is evenly spread across two 1 hour 45 minute papers in each of the three subjects that they are working towards.
A Level
A level courses/topics
New A level courses are being introduced for science disciplines for examination from summer 2016.
AQA Biology
1 year course (AS qualification): Specification 7401
- Module 1 – Biological Molecules
- Module 2 – Cells
- Module 3 – Organisms exchange substances with their environment
- Module 4 – Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
- Modules 1-4 are assessed through 2 examinations.
2 year course (A-level biology A): Specification 7402
- Module 1 – Biological Molecules
- Module 2 – Cells
- Module 3 – Organisms exchange substances with their environment
- Module 4 – Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
- Module 5 – Energy transfers in and between organisms
- Module 6 – Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
- Module 7 – Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
- Module 8 – The control of gene expression
- A level practical endorsement
- Modules 1-8 are assessed through 3 examinations.
- The A level practical endorsement is continuously assessed over the 2 year course.
OCR Chemistry
1 year course (AS qualification): Specification H032
- Module 1 – Development of practical skills
- Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry
- Module 3 – Periodic table and energy
- Module 4 – Core organic chemistry
- Modules 1-4 are assessed through 2 examinations.
2 year course (A-level chemistry A): Specification H432
- Module 1 – Development of practical skills
- Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry
- Module 3 – Periodic table and energy
- Module 4 – Core organic chemistry
- Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements
- Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis
- A level practical endorsement
- Modules 1-6 are assessed through 3 examinations.
- The A level practical endorsement is continuously assessed over the 2 year course.
OCR Physics
1 year course (AS qualification): Specification H156
- Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics
- Module 2 – Foundations of physics
- Module 3 – Forces and motion
- Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons
- Modules 1-4 are assessed through 2 examinations.
2 year course (A-level chemistry A): Specification H556
- Module 1 – Development of practical skills in physics
- Module 2 – Foundations of physics
- Module 3 – Forces and motion
- Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons
- Module 5 – Newtonian world and astrophysics
- Module 6 – Particles and medical physics
- A level practical endorsement
- Modules 1-6 are assessed through 3 examinations.
- The A level practical endorsement is continuously assessed over the 2 year course.
AQA Applied Science
A-level Applied Science offers students the chance to concentrate on some of the vocational aspects of Science. As well as being ideal for students seeking a broad background in Science, it also suits those entering this vocational area for the first time.
A-level Applied Science is a good choice for students considering higher education in any Science-based course, including: Biochemical Sciences, Chemistry, Food Technology, Human Physiology, Nursing, Sports Science, Materials Science, and Medical Physics.
AS GCE (3 Units)
UNIT 1 - Investigating Science at Work (coursework unit )
- The types of organisation which use science
- How science is used in organisations
- How health and safety regulations are used in the workplace
- How the organisation impacts on the local community
UNIT 2 - Energy Transfer Systems* (exam unit)
- The structure and function of the circulatory and respiratory systems
- How to find out about physiological status through monitoring
- The process of respiration
- Ethical issues relating to monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of the circulatory and respiratory systems Imaging methods used in monitoring and diagnosis
- Applications of energy transfer
UNIT 3 - Finding out about substances (Coursework Unit)
- How to obtain and prepare samples for analysis
- Qualitative chemical analysis
- Volumetric analysis
- Chromatographic techniques
- Colorimetric techniques
- Energy changes that take place when substances react
Advanced Level GCE (3 AS and an additional 3 A2 Units)
UNIT 1 - Investigating Science at Work
UNIT 2 - Energy Transfer Systems*
UNIT 3 - Finding out about substances
Plus
UNIT 7 - Planning and Carrying out a Scientific Investigation (coursework Unit)
• How to plan an investigation
• How to carry out the investigation
• Recording and processing the data obtained
• Evaluating and drawing conclusions from the investigation
• Presenting the outcomes of the investigation
UNIT 14 - The Healthy Body (exam unit)
How basic homeostatic mechanisms maintain a healthy body
Cellular respiration
How to monitor concentrations of substances in the blood
• blood pH
• oxygen saturation
• blood glucose
How a healthy diet helps to maintain a healthy body
Monitoring the levels of cholesterol, vitamins and minerals in the body
The structure and function of the digestive system
UNIT 16 - Ecology, Conservation and Recycling (coursework Unit)
This unit involves a residential field trip to Norfolk to investigate the ecology of sand dunes and the impact of humans on the environment
The type and populations of organisms that live in a habitat
The relationships of organisms with their physical and biological environment
Environmental change and damage
Managing conservation
Recycling materials
FAQ
Q. Why choose the subject?
- Core subject that encompasses topics from all 3 disciplines of science
- Enables pupils to develop their investigative skills
- Specific science route is matched to pupils’ ability and learning style
- Pupils gain a greater understanding of how science influences the world around them
- Pupils discover interests in specific scientific fields
- A level opportunities enable a more in depth study of specific science (biology, chemistry or physics) or a combination of the three (applied science)
- Allows for advance to further education or career opportunities in science based industries.
Q. Can I study towards three separate science GCSes in bBiology, Chemistry and Physics?
A. Assessments through year 7 and 8 will identify those pupils who are given the opportunity to follow the triple science route.
Q. What grades do I need to study sciences at A-level?
A. You must achieve a Grade B or above to study biology, chemistry or physics at A level. The applied science pre-requisite is a Grade C or above.
Q. Are experiments completed in every lesson?
A. Teachers aim to use as much practical work as they can that can be linked in with specific topics. However, not all experiments are viable within the constraints of the school laboratory. In this instance we do use clips or interactive displays to support pupils learning.
Q. Will I dissect a frog?
A. At the moment, pupils do not dissect whole organisms at KS3/4. They do have the opportunity to examine the structure of the eye or specific organs within the body like the heart and kidneys. Pupils are always encouraged to participate in practical work but more squeamish pupils can be excused with their teachers’ permission.
Q. Do I have to study science?
A. Science is a core subject along with English and Maths therefore all pupils need to complete the subject up to GCSE level.
Q. Who will teach me?
A. Miss H Candy, Mr S Culver, Mr D Davis, Mr A Doig, Miss F Evans, Miss A Jones, Mrs G Jones, Mr R Jones, Mrs F Lussier-Foy, Mrs K Mackay, Dr R Piercy, Miss K Sampson and Mr S Tilley,