Science

The science department aims to develop a love of enquiry and grow students' curiosity, interest and enjoyment in science.

We enable students to:

be familiar with a body of scientific knowledge, principles and vocabulary
recognise the usefulness of science knowledge and methods in other disciplines and everyday life
use scientific method safely
have the knowledge and skills to provide basis for further education in science
develop and practise key skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT
develop personal qualities that are useful in everyday life and enable students to work independently and as member of a team
provide equal access to all students to a science education that enables them to experience success and enjoyment in science.

The science department promotes awareness in students of the implications of science (past and present), for the individual, the community and the environment. This aids students in developing an informed interest in matters of scientific importance and be able to support them by a reasonable argument.

Key Stage 3 Science curriculum

Year 7

Students are taught in mixed ability teaching groups. Study is based on the Activate scheme published by Oxford University Press.

The topics to be covered during Year 7 are:

Cells
Structures and Formation of body systems
Reproduction
Particles and their behaviour
Elements, atoms and compounds
Reactions
Acids and alkalis
Forces
Light
Sound
Space.

Students are assessed both formally and informally, using a mixture of teacher assessment and testing. Great care is taken to ensure that individuals are correctly placed and have the opportunity to move between the groups according to their progress.

Year 8

Students are taught in mixed ability teaching groups. The programme of study is based on the Activate scheme published by Oxford University Press.

The topics to be covered during Year 8 are:

Health and Lifestyle
Ecosystem Processes
Adaptation and inheritance
Periodic Table
Separation Techniques
Metals and Acids
The Earth
Electricity and Magnetism
Energy
Motion and Pressure.

Students are assessed both formally and informally, using a mixture of teacher assessment and testing.

Year 9

Students are taught in mixed ability teaching groups. The programme of study is based on the Activate scheme published by Oxford University Press. The topics covered during Year 9 are:

New Technology
Detection
Turning points in Biology
Turning points in Chemistry
Turning points in Physics.

Key Stage 4 Science curriculum

Year 10

Students in Year 10 will either follow the specifications for AQA GCSE Biology A, AQA GCSE Chemistry A and AQA GCSE Physics A or the specification for AQA Combined Science.

Each of these courses is assessed through a series of written formal examinations which take place at the end of Year 11. Students will be assessed in Year 10 through KAT tests three types a year and a number of KLTs which are based on required practical activities.

Year 11

Students in Year 11 continue to follow the pathway that they were placed on during Year 10. The options are:

Separate GCSEs’ in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
AQA GCSE Combined Science.

Each of these courses is externally assessed through a series of written formal examinations, which take place at the end of Year 11. There are six papers in total for both GCSE routes, two in each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Internal assessments follow the same model as in Year 10.