Science
Rationale and Aims
In the Science department we promote a realisation that Science is enjoyable, stimulating and rewarding, that it links to all aspects of life and the modern world we live in.
As a Department we encourage our students to experience the vast range of wonder and intrigue within science and develop their critical skills for success in a safe and secure environment. The health and safety of students and staff, in this highly practical subject, is very important to us. We strive to ensure that all students work professionally and collaboratively with staff to meet our high standards of health and safety practices irrespective of ability or key stage.
The Science department’s aim is also to provide engaging and motivating lessons which stimulate student’s enquiry skills and also set challenging targets with high expectations for all.
KS3
There is one route through KS3 Science. The KS3curriculum is taught from Year 7 through to Year 9 with students sitting an end of KS3assessment in February of Year 9. We also monitor progress throughout the year with students formatively assessed at the end of each unit. Following the end of KS3 assessment Year 9 students will progress into the GCSE course. They will be placed into their GCSE sets and will follow their chosen programme of study for GCSE Science.
“Science is an integral part of modern culture. It stretches the imagination and creativity of young people. Its challenges are quite enormous”
– Professor Malcolm Longair.
Focus for Year 7 students 2017 – 2018
Biology Units: Cells, Reproduction, Adaptation and Inheritance
Chemistry Units: Particles, Elements and Compounds, Acid and Alkalis
Physics Units: Electricity and Magnetism, Energy and Forces
Focus for Year 8 students 2017 – 2018
Biology Units: Structure and function of body systems, Health and lifestyle
Chemistry Units: Periodic table, Reactions, Separating techniques, Metals and Acids
Physics Units: Light, Sound, Space, Forces
Focus for Year 9 students 2017 – 2018
Biology Units: Ecosystem processes
Chemistry Units: Separating techniques, The Earth
Physics Units: Motion and Pressure
KS4
Science has two routes at KS4, either of which are open to any student of any ability:
AQA Separate Sciences (3 GCSE Grades) or AQA Combined Science (2 GCSE Grades)
Courses are taught over Year 9 into Y11. The Year 10 content covers the Paper 1 exam and the Year 11 course covers the content required for the Paper 2 exam. There is no coursework component in either course but there are a number of required practicals which are taught and could feature in exams. Both of these qualifications are linear assessed. Students will sit all their exams at the end of the course. All papers will feature multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions.
Separate Science Course
AQA Separate Sciences – Biology 8641
QAN code: 601/8752/9
Subject content
1. Cell biology 2. Organisation 3. Infection and response 4. Bioenergetics 5. Homeostasis and response 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution 7. Ecology 8. Key ideas |
Required practicals
1. Microscopy 2. Microbiology 3. Osmosis 4. Food tests 5. Enzymes 6. Photosynthesis 7. Reaction Time 8. Germination 9. Field investigations 10. Decay |
Assessment
Paper 1 Year 10
Topics 1–4: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
Paper 2 Year 11
Topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
AQA Separate Sciences – Chemistry 8642
QAN code: 601/8757/8
Subject content
1. Atomic structure and the periodic table 2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 3. Quantitative chemistry 4. Chemical changes 5. Energy changes 6. The rate and extent of chemical change 7. Organic chemistry 8. Chemical analysis 9. Chemistry of the atmosphere 10. Using resources |
Required Practicals
1.Making salts 2. Neutralisation 3.Electrolysis 4.Temperature changes 5.Rates of reaction 6.Chromatography 7. Identifying ions 8.Water purification
|
Assessment
Paper 1: Year 10
Topics 1–5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
Paper 2: Year 11
Topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE |
AQA Separate Science – Physics 8643
QAN code: 601/8751/7
Subject content
1. Energy 2. Electricity 3. Particle model of matter 4. Atomic structure 5. Forces 6. Waves 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism 8. Space physics |
Required practicals
1.Specific Heat capacity 2. Thermal Insulation 3. Resistance 4. V-I Characteristics 5. Density 6. Force and expansion 7. Acceleration 8. Waves 9. Radiation and Absorption 10. Light |
Assessment
Paper 1: Year 10
Topics 1-4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE
|
Paper 2: Year 11
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.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 100 marks 50% of GCSE
|
Combined Science Course
AQA Combined Science (Trilogy) 8464
QAN code: 601/8758/X
Subject content
Biology
1. Cell biology 2. Organisation 3. Infection and response 4. Bioenergetics 5. Homeostasis and response 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution 7. Ecology
|
Chemistry
8. Atomic structure and the periodic table 9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter 10. Quantitative chemistry 11. Chemical changes 12. Energy changes 13. The rate and extent of chemical change 14. Organic chemistry 15. Chemical analysis 16. Chemistry of the atmosphere 17. Using resources |
Physics
18. Energy 19. Electricity 20. Particle model of matter 21. Atomic structure 22. Forces 23. Waves 24. Magnetism and electromagnetism
|
Required Practicals
Biology Required Practicals
1. Microscopy 2. Osmosis 3. Food tests 4. Enzymes 5. Photosynthesis 6. Reaction Time 7. Field Investigations |
Chemistry Required Practicals
1.Making salts 2.Electrolysis 3.Temperature changes 4.Rates of reaction 5.Chromatography 6.Water purification
|
Physics Required Practicals
1.Specific Heat capacity 2.Resistance 3.V-I Characteristics 4.Density 5.Force and expansion 6.Acceleration 7.Waves |
Assessment
There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. Papers will have multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response type questions.
Biology Paper 1 (Year 10)
Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE
|
Chemistry Paper 1 (Year 10)
Chemistry topics 8–12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE |
Physics Paper 1 (Year 10)
Physics topics 18–21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE
|
Biology Paper 2 (Year 11)
Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE
|
Chemistry Paper 2 (Year 11)
Chemistry topics 13–17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE |
Physics Paper 2 (Year 11)
Physics topics 22–24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes Foundation and Higher Tier 70 marks 16.7% of GCSE
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Useful websites