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Science
Scientific understanding is central to our existence on Earth. Teaching Science is about driving human progress; you cannot innovate if you do not first have mastery of the knowledge. Our knowledge rich Science curriculum ignites students’ inner wonder of the world around them. It enables our students to be ambitious and challenge perceived ideas or misconceptions by considering new theories and approaches to problems. It pushes them to know and understand the implications of science in an ever-changing world. Our students should not only know the right answer but also how to ask the right questions.
Our Extended Curriculum focuses on the importance of introducing students to current scientific research from Key Stage 3. In collaboration with universities and other institutions, we run multiple successful projects across the Sciences, from Biodiversity and its impact on mental health and wellbeing, to testing the impact of hypervelocity space dust, that enable students to engage with and work towards addressing major scientific questions and societal issues. Evidence shows that further development of genuine research skills increases student engagement and inspires and motivates them to explore careers across the sciences.
By the end of the course our curriculum enables all students to be confident and competent in practical work and in articulating and understanding scientific concepts. They leave their journey with us understanding the nature and methods of science, enabling them to be informed custodians of our precious planet.
KS3
|
Year Group |
Areas of Study |
|
7 |
Introduction Organisms 1 Matter Space Reactions Force & energy Ecosystems Waves, sound & light |
|
8 |
Matter Forces 2 Waves 2 Organisms 2 Reactions 2 Ecosystems & genes Energy Electricity |
|
9 |
Biology: Cell structure and transport; cell division and tissues; organs and digestive system; organisation in animals, ecology Chemistry: Atomic structure; Periodic table; Crude oil and fuels; Structure and bonding Physics: Conservation of energy; energy transfer by heating; energy resources; molecules and matter |
GCSE
TRILOGY SCIENCE
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
- Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics
- Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology
- Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes
- The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
- Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure
- Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism
Assessment
|
Type of Assessment |
Duration |
Weighting |
|
|
1 |
Biology 1 Biology 2 |
1 hour 15 minutes 1 hour 15 minutes |
16.7% 16.7% |
|
2 |
Chemistry 1 Topics 8 – 12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes Chemistry 2 Topics 13 – 17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources |
1 hour 15 minutes 1 hour 15 minutes |
16.7%
16.7% |
|
3 |
Physics 1 Topics 18 – 21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure Physics 2 Topics 22 – 24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism |
1 hour 15 minutes
1 hour 15 minutes |
16.7%
16.7% |
BIOLOGY (TRIPLE SCIENCE)
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
- Cell Biology
- Organisation
- Infection and response
- Bioenergetics
- Homeostasis and response
- Inheritance, variation and evolution
- Ecology
Assessment
|
Type of Assessment |
Duration |
Weighting |
|
|
1 |
Topics 1 – 4: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics |
1 hour 45 minutes |
50% |
|
2 |
Topics 5 – 7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology |
1 hour 45 minutes |
50% |
CHEMISTRY (TRIPLE SCIENCE)
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
- Atomic structure and the periodic table
- Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
- Quantitative chemistry
- Chemical changes
- Energy changes
- The rate and extent of chemical change
- Organic chemistry
- Chemical analysis
- Chemistry of the atmosphere
- Using resources
Assessment
|
Type of Assessment |
Duration |
Weighting |
|
|
1 |
Topics 1 – 5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes |
1 hour 45 minutes |
50% |
|
2 |
Topics 6 – 10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources |
1 hour 45 minutes |
50% |
PHYSICS (TRIPLE SCIENCE)
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
- Energy
- Electricity
- Particle model of matter
- Atomic structure
- Forces
- Waves
- Magnetism and electromagnetism
- Space physics
Assessment
|
Type of Assessment |
Duration |
Weighting |
|
|
1 |
Topics 1 – 4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure |
1 hour 45 minutes |
50% |
|
2 |
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 |
1 hour 45 minutes |
50% |
A Level
BIOLOGY
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Biology and 6 in Maths
Essential: 6 in Biology and 6 in Maths
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
- Topic 1: Lifestyle Health and Risk
- Topic 2: Genes and Health
- Topic 3: Voice of the Genome
- Topic 4: Biodiversity and Natural Resources
- Topic 5: On the Wild Side
- Topic 6: Immunity, Infection and Forensics
- Topic 7: Run for your Life
- Topic 8: Grey Matter
Assessment
|
Type of Assessment |
Duration |
Weighting |
|
|
1 |
Examination: Topics 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 and experimental methods based on the Core practicals |
2 hours |
33.3% |
|
2 |
Examination: Topics 1,2,3,4,7 and 8 and experimental methods based on the Core practicals |
2 hours |
33.3% |
|
3 |
Examination: Questions from Topics 1 to 8, including Synoptic questions which may draw on two or more different topics. A section of this paper will have questions based on a pre-released scientific article |
2 hours |
33.3% |
CHEMISTRY
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Chemistry and 6 in Maths
Essential: 6 in Chemistry and 6 in Maths
Board
OCR – Chemistry A
Outline of the Course
- Unit 1: Development of practical skills in chemistry
- Unit 2: Foundations in chemistry
- Unit 3: Periodic table and energy
- Unit 4: Core organic chemistry
- Unit 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements
- Unit 6: Organic chemistry and analysis
Assessment
|
Type of Assessment |
Modules Examined |
Duration |
Weighting |
|
|
1 |
Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry – 15 marks multiple choice, 85 marks structured questions on theory and practical |
1, 2, 3, 5 |
2 hours |
37% |
|
2 |
Synthesis and analytical techniques – 15 marks multiple choice, 85 marks structured questions on theory and practical |
1, 2, 4, 6 |
2 hours |
37% |
|
3 |
Unified chemistry – 70 marks structured and extended questions covering theory and practical |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
1 hour |
26% |
|
|
Practical endorsement for chemistry – Pass / Fail no examination |
- |
- |
- |
PHYSICS
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Physics and 6 in Maths
Essential: 6 in Physics and 6 in Maths
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
- Unit 1: Working as a Physicist
- Unit 2: Mechanics
- Unit 3: Electric Circuits
- Unit 4: Materials
- Unit 5: Waves and the Particle Nature of Light
- Unit 6: Further Mechanics
- Unit 7: Electric and Magnetic Fields
- Unit 8: Nuclear and Particle Physics
- Unit 9: Thermodynamics
- Unit 10: Space
- Unit 11: Nuclear Radiation
- Unit 12: Gravitational Fields
- Unit 13: Oscillations
Assessment
|
Type of Assessment |
Duration |
Weighting |
|
|
1 |
Core/Advanced Physics 1 |
1 hour 45 minutes |
30% |
|
2 |
Core/Advanced Physics 2 |
1 hour 45 minutes |
30% |
|
3 |
Advanced Physics 3 |
2 hours 30 minutes |
40% |
