Science Curriculum Area

 

The Science Curriculum Area aims to enable students to:

  • learn about science in a stimulating and engaging manner;
  • develop their interest and enthusiasm for science;
  • develop their ability in investigations and practical skills;
  • develop their ability to evaluate scientific data and evidence and make independent decisions based upon it;
  • understand the important role science plays within society;
  • understand and evaluate the role science plays to advance technology and gain an appreciation of the economic and environmental impact of this;
  • acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding of science necessary for their adult and working lives and for progression to further learning beyond Key Stage 4.

 

Key Stage 3

We follow the 'Science Works' scheme across Year 7, 8 and 9. This excellent scheme provides students with a balanced curriculum, in a modern and exciting way. The scheme provides a great range of resources and learning styles, incorporating practical investigation work and ICT. It provides regular opportunities for students to assess their progress and map out pathways to further improve their attainment. Topics included at KS3 are:

Life; The Human Body; Living Things and the Environment; Reactions; Rocks and Environment; Energy and Electricity; Space, Force and Motion; Light and Sound.

A fun way for students in Year 7 to develop their confidence and interest in science is by joining in with lunch activities run by our Sixth Form students. We also love to go out on trips and visits. Last year Key Stage 3 students headed for Disneyland Paris. This visit concentrated upon the application of Science, Technology and Mathematics to Engineering projects. 

Key Stage 4

Core Science:

The majority of students study for double award GCSE Science in Year 10. We deliver the curriculum through the new AQA suite of specifications, taught by science specialists. All students are examined at the end of year 10.
The teaching units are:

Biology:

Diet and a healthy lifestyle
Fighting disease
How our body responds to the environment
The menstraul cycle
Medicinal and recreational drugs

Adaptation:

Competition and environmental change
Energy transfer
The carbon cycle
Variation
Reproduction
Evolution

Chemistry:

Atoms, elements, periodic table
The lime cycle
Metals
Crude oil
Environmental issues 

Alkanes and alkenes:

Food chemistry
Earth science

Physics:

Convection, Conduction, Radation
Kinetic theory
Energy transformations
Efficiency
Chosing appliances

Energy sources:

Electricity and the national grid.
Wave properties
The origin of the universe

Some students will study for triple award science which covers the content listed above as well as additional topics in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Most students will then continue with Additional Science in Year 11. The teaching units are:

Biology 2

Cells; photosynthesis and food chains; inheritance

Chemistry 2

The structures of substances; chemical reactions, acids and alkalis

Physics 2

Kinematics, electricity & radioactivity

 

Key Stage 5

A good number of our students choose to study scientific degrees and follow a wide range of scientific careers (including engineering, medicine and veterinary science), as well as using their scientific qualifications to access other careers.  In the Sixth Form we currently offer:

Biology AS and A2 Level (AQA)

Biology is an ideal choice for students with an interest and curiosity about the diversity and origins of the living world around them. The course builds on concepts and skills that have been developed during the AQA Core and Additional Science GCSEs.  The specification aims to stimulate the interest of students by presenting essential principles in a variety of contexts and emphasises the way in which scientists work, as well as their contributions to modern society.


Studying biology is a good entry route into a variety of careers. Many students go on to study for science degrees or into medical or paramedical careers. Biology can lead to nursing, teaching or more technical vocational qualifications. Skills such as the ability to think logically and analytically, to work independently or in groups and to present ideas clearly orally and in writing are widely valued by employers. 
The course contains three units in each year:
AS Unit 1 – Biology and disease
AS Unit 2 – The variety of living organisms
AS Unit 3 – Investigative and practical skills (internal assessment).
A2 Unit 4 – Populations and environment
A2 Unit 5 – Control in cells and organisms
A2 Unit 6 - Investigative and practical skills (internal assessment).

 

Chemistry AS and A2 Level  (OCR Chemistry B, Salters)

Chemistry is the science of materials. It is about gases, liquids and solids; how they interact and how they may be made. Think about fuels, plastics, pesticides and drugs; fireworks, and explosives: they are made using the skills and knowledge of chemists. A new generation of chemists will be involved in tackling problems related to our environment. 
In contrast to the traditional ‘topic-based’ approach, Chemistry B (Salters) is ‘context-led’. Chemical concepts are introduced within a relevant context, as a series of modules based on contemporary issues in chemistry. Students study the chemistry in a spiral way so that chemical ideas, introduced in an earlier topic, are reinforced later. This approach to teaching and learning chemical principles allows candidates to revisit a particular topic several times during the course, each time taking their knowledge and understanding a step further.
The course contains three units in each year:
AS Unit 1 – Chemistry for life
AS Unit 2 – Chemistry of natural resources
AS Unit 3 – Chemistry in practice (internal assessment).
A2 Unit 4 – Chemistry of materials
A2 Unit 5 – Chemistry by design
A2 Unit 6 – Chemistry in practice (internal assessment).

 

Physics AS and A2 Level (AQA  Physics A)

Physics A provides a seamless transition to A Level from AQA Core and Additional Science GCSEs, using a format with which students are experienced and confident.  It develops students’ interest and enthusiasm for physics, introducing completely new content early in the course. The specification provides a smooth pathway from GCSE and a route to university courses in physics and other subjects in which physics is a key component.  This course also provides a wide range of opportunities to develop understanding of 'how science works' by linking the general criteria on the nature of science to specific topics throughout the specification. Internal assessment gives students a deep awareness of how science in practice works.
The course contains three units in each year:
AS Unit 1 – Particles, quantum phenomena and electricity.
AS Unit 2 – Mechanics, materials and waves.
AS Unit 3 – Investigative and practical skills (internal assessment).
A2 Unit 4 – Fields and further mechanics
A2 Unit 5 – Nuclear and thermal physics plus one module
A2 Unit 6 – Investigative and practical skills (internal assessment).

 

Updated October 2011