Science
Why study Science?
Each scientific discipline gives pupils a unique perspective to explain the world around them. As pupils learn science, they also learn about its uses and significance to society and their own lives. Pupils learn about the continuing importance of science in solving global challenges such as climate change, food availability, controlling disease and access to water. The curriculum is designed to build substantive knowledge of scientific concepts and disciplinary procedures. By doing so, pupils can reason scientifically about phenomena with increasing sophistication and can use their knowledge to work scientifically with increasing expertise.
How will I study Science?
Pupils study Science through both substantive and disciplinary knowledge. Each topic covers a sequence of lessons that builds sophisticated language through the delivery of scientific concepts and working scientifically. This goes beyond simply doing practical work or collecting data, it includes learning about the concepts and procedures that scientists use to develop scientific explanations. These are revisited throughout the course to gain a deeper understanding and equip pupils with a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics making connections between these subject areas.
What will I study at Key Stage 3?
We encourage our pupils to be curious about the world around them and to develop a positive and practical approach to scientific learning. In key stage 3, we build an understanding of the ‘Big Ideas’ in science that are relevant to pupils’ lives during and beyond school. We achieve this through a wide and varied curriculum in which pupils are regularly challenged and reviewed. Pupils will develop an understanding that science is about working objectively and is continually changing and developing in the world around us.
What will I study at Key Stage 4?
Teaching science in key stage 4 continues to build upon and deepen the substantive and disciplinary knowledge and understanding developed in earlier key stages. In Biology, the topics covered seek to understand living organisms and life. It considers the complex systems involving interactions between genes, the environment and random chance. Physics builds its explanations on measurable quantities that can be put into numerical relationships. Chemistry draws heavily on the use of models and modelling to explain the behaviour of matter and routinely involves the synthesis of the objects it studies. Pupils continue to work scientifically and think like a scientist through a broad, coherent and practical based curriculum that will challenge and inspire students.
Assessment at Key Stage 4
Pupils will complete either GCSE Combined Science or separate sciences (GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics).
GCSE Combined Science AQA 8464
Biology Paper 1
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. |
Biology Paper 2
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. |
Chemistry Paper 1
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. |
Chemistry Paper 2
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. |
Physics Paper 1
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. |
Physics Paper 2
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. |
GCSE Separate Science 8461,8462,8463
Biology Paper 1
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. |
Biology Paper 2
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. |
Chemistry Paper 1
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination |
Chemistry Paper 2
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
Physics Paper 1
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks |
|
Physics Paper 2
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks |
A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. |
KS4 Exam Board Specification (Combined Science): AQA Combined Science Trilogy (8464)
KS4 Exam Board Specification (Biology): AQA Biology (Separate Sciences) (8461)
KS4 Exam Board Specification (Chemistry): AQA Chemistry (Separate Sciences) (8462)
KS4 Exam Board Specification (Physics): AQA Physics (Separate Sciences) (8463)
Enrichment
The department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the school in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model. Clubs include Science club and a STEM club.
Careers
The study of Science can lead to future careers ranging from Paramedic, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist to Aerospace Engineer, Vet and Pharmacist. Famous Science graduates include David Attenborough (Natural Scientist), Helen Sharman (first female and first British astronaut to visit the International space station), Angela Merkel (German Chancellor).