Science
Welcome to the Science Department
"Science helps us to better understand ourselves and our place in the universe..."
Head of Department:
Mr Vallance
e-mail: mvallance2.310@parkhighstanmore.org.uk
Introduction
The scientific method fosters thinking skills. The very basis of science is a system of thought and experiment called the scientific method. It's where you start with an idea, create a concrete way to prove or disprove your idea, and objectively show what you have learned. Learning to follow this process helps you to think logically. Seeing the relationship between empirical
evidence and your theory helps you to think critically. These important thinking skills can be applied in many areas of study. To give a child practise with these thinking skills nourishes a developing mind.
Science feeds a natural love for learning. One of the greatest things we can teach our children is to love learning. Science is a great medium to do so. Children are inquisitive explorers and science offers lots to explore. Because much of science is hands-on, it appeals readily to most children. Nothing makes a child sit up and take notice like the “WOW!” of a great science experiment. Science can encourage a love for learning that will spill over into other subjects.
Science opens doors to many disciplines. Building an aptitude for science can be helpful in other areas of study, for example science encourages maths. An interest in science is an interest in how things were once understood compared to how they are understood now. Thus studying science compliments the study of history. And hand-in-hand with every lab experiment is the lab report – thus writing becomes a crucial part of science. Even the study of language itself is integral to science; much of its specialist terminology can be traced back to Latin or Ancient Greek.
Science prepares for the future. Science is the basis for much of our life. Agricultural science dictates how our food is produced, biomedical science keeps us healthy, physics and mechanical science takes us from place to place, even our beds are constructed according to scientific principles. We almost literally eat, sleep and breathe science! As we prepare the next generation of consumers, voters, creators and policy makers it is critical to ensure they are not only competent in science but that they are adept.
Key Stage 3
In Key Stage 3, students learn via a mix of theory and practical lessons, covering ideas as diverse as the smallest cells to the largest reaches of space.
Home-learning is allocated on a weekly basis. It may be an isolated piece of work, a project, research or an alternative task which challenges the students to solidify their knowledge and / or extend it.
“Enrich and engage” class discussions and debates provide opportunities for students to progress in their knowledge from simpler details to more complex ideas, encouraging students to achieve mastery of their science.
Students in Year 7 and 8 have 4 weekly lessons while Year 9 have 5 lessons.
Year 7
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
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An introduction to working scientifically |
Sound |
Space |
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Cells |
Structure and function of body systems |
Philosophy for Children |
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Particles and their behaviour |
Light |
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Forces |
Reactions |
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Acids & Alkalis Elements, Atoms & Compounds |
Reproduction |
Knowledge Organisers:
KS3 Assessment:
Assessment takes place through a variety of means including: assessed home-learning tasks with detailed written feedback, half-termly practical assessments, half-termly multiple-choice tests and termly end of topic tests.
In the Summer Term, students sit a formal, internal exam which consists of all the topics taught throughout the year. Following tests, Directed Improvement and Reflection Time (DIRT) tasks are carried out during lessons and mark schemes are shared with students via SharePoint.
All students have an individual account on the science VLE www.kerboodle.com giving them access to the digital textbook and a wealth of other resources for their course. Any students experiencing any difficulties with their work or with accessing resources are encouraged to contact their class teacher using the school e-mail system.
Year 8
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
|
Health and lifestyle |
Ecosystem processes |
The Earth |
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The periodic table |
Adaptation and inheritance |
Forensics |
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Electricity and magnetism |
Motion and Pressure |
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Separation Techniques |
Metals and acids |
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Energy |
Knowledge Organisers:
KS3 Assessment:
Assessment takes place through a variety of means including: assessed home-learning tasks with detailed written feedback, half-termly practical assessments, half-termly multiple-choice tests and termly end of topic tests.
In the Summer Term, students sit a formal, internal exam which consists of all the topics taught throughout the year. Following tests, Directed Improvement and Reflection Time (DIRT) tasks are carried out during lessons and mark schemes are shared with students via SharePoint.
All students have an individual account on the science VLE www.kerboodle.com giving them access to the digital textbook and a wealth of other resources for their course. Any students experiencing any difficulties with their work or with accessing resources are encouraged to contact their class teacher using the school e-mail system.
Year 9
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
|
Working scientifically revisited |
GCSE Chemistry |
GCSE Physics |
|
GCSE Biology |
GCSE Physics |
GCSE Biology |
Science is taught is a spiral curriculum where topics are revisited in increasing complexity in each key stage and so before students embark on the GCSE course there is a consolidation period during Year 9 of key stage 3 content and skills. Students will be reminded of how to plan a scientific investigation, key scientific terminology, graph skills and practical write-up skills. In addition, a required practical activity for each subject (Physics – Hookeʼs Law, Biology – Reaction time and Chemistry – Rates of reaction) will be completed during this time to apply these skills.
After the October half-term, students will begin the GCSE course content covering topics from the Combined Science course (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) schemes of learning.
Home learning is allocated on a weekly basis by each class teacher. In addition, students will be set an Assessed Home-Learning task (AHL) each half term on which they will receive written formative feedback from their class teacher.
KS3 Assessment:Assessment takes place through a variety of means including: assessed home-learning tasks with detailed written feedback, half-termly multiple-choice tests and termly end of topic tests.
In the Summer Term, students sit a formal, internal exam which consists of all the topics taught throughout the year. Following tests, Directed Improvement and Reflection Time (DIRT) tasks are carried out during lessons and mark schemes are shared with students via SharePoint.
All students have an individual account on the science VLE www.kerboodle.com giving them access to the digital textbook and a wealth of other resources for their course. Any students experiencing any difficulties with their work or with accessing resources are encouraged to contact their class teacher using the school e-mail system.
Key Stage 4
In Key Stage 4, students learn via a mix of theory and practical lessons including the Required Practical Activities selected by the exam board.
Home-learning is allocated on a weekly basis. It may be an isolated piece of work, a project, research or an alternative task which challenges the students to solidify their knowledge and / or extend it.
Students in Year 10 and 11 have 6 weekly lessons.
Year 10
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|
|
GCSE Biology |
GCSE Physics |
GCSE Biology |
|
GCSE Chemistry |
GCSE Required Practicals Review |
Careers in Science |
All students will follow the Combined Science course until the end of Year 10.
Based on their progress at the end of Year 10, students will be routed towards the Separate Sciences course or remain on the Combined Science course. All students will continue to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics however those entered for the Separate Sciences course will cover one third more content and receive three GCSE certificates instead of the two GCSE certificates on the Combined Science course.
Students are encouraged to carry out wider reading either from the recommended websites, the textbook or as directed by their classroom teacher.
KS4 Assessment:Assessment takes place through a variety of means including: assessed home-learning tasks with detailed written feedback, half-termly multiple-choice tests and termly end of topic tests.
In the Summer Term, students sit a formal, internal exam which consists of all the topics taught throughout the year. Following tests, Directed Improvement and Reflection Time (DIRT) tasks are carried out during lessons and mark schemes are shared with students via SharePoint.
All students have an individual account on the science VLE www.kerboodle.com giving them access to the digital textbook and a wealth of other resources for their course. Any students experiencing any difficulties with their work or with accessing resources are encouraged to contact their class teacher using the school e-mail system.
Examination Board:
Useful Reading Material:
AQA Biology third [edition] Oxford University Press AQA Chemistry third [edition] Oxford University Press AQA Physics third [edition] Oxford University Press
CGP GCSE Biology for AQA (Grade 9-1) The Revision Guide Higher
CGP GCSE Biology for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Workbook Higher
CGP GCSE Biology for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Answer Book Higher
CGP GCSE Chemistry for AQA (Grade 9-1) The Revision Guide Higher
CGP GCSE Chemistry for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Workbook Higher
CGP GCSE Chemistry for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Answer Book Higher
CGP GCSE Physics for AQA (Grade 9-1) The Revision Guide Higher
CGP GCSE Physics for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Workbook Higher
CGP GCSE Physics for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Answer Book Higher
CGP GCSE Combined Science for AQA (Grade 9-1) The Revision Guide Higher or Foundation
CGP GCSE Combined Science for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Workbook Higher or Foundation CGP GCSE Combined Science for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Answer Book Higher or Foundation
Year 11
Students will work towards qualifications in either Separate Sciences (Three GCSE certificates) or Combined Science (Two GCSE certificates).
KS4 Assessment:Internal assessment to monitor students’ proogress takes place through a variety of means including: assessed home-learning tasks with detailed written feedback, multiple-choice tests and topic tests.
Combined Science students will have finished the majority of the course content in the Autumn term, allowing the rest of the time to be spent on revision of the Required Practical Activities, reflection on content and exam technique practise.
Students being entered for the Separate Sciences course will complete the Separate Only content of Biology, Chemistry and Physics until the Summer term.
Both the Combined Science and Separate Sciences courses complete external GCSE examinations which take place in May / June (the breakdown of these exams is found below).
All students have an individual account on the science VLE www.kerboodle.com giving them access to the digital textbook and a wealth of other resources for their course. Any students experiencing any difficulties with their work or with accessing resources are encouraged to contact their class teacher using the school e-mail system.
GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy)
6 terminal examinations (2x Biology, 2x Chemistry and 2x Physics).
Higher tier or foundation tier.
Each paper is 1hr 15mins long and is worth 16.7%
Separate Sciences:
GCSE Biology
2 Biology terminal papers
Higher tier
Each one is 1 hr 45mins, worth 50%
GCSE Chemistry
2 Chemistry terminal papers
Higher tier
Each one is 1 hr 45mins, worth 50%
GCSE Physics
2 Physics terminal papers
Higher tier
Each one is 1 hr 45mins, worth 50% each
Examination Board :
Course Specification:
Combined Science
AQA 8464 GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy)
Separate Sciences
AQA 8461 GCSE Biology
AQA 8462 GCSE Chemistry
AQA 8463 GCSE Physics
Qualification obtained:
GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy)
GCSE Biology
GCSE Chemistry
GCSE Physics
Additional information:
Useful Websites
Useful Reading Material
AQA Biology third [edition] Oxford University Press AQA Chemistry third [edition] Oxford University Press AQA Physics third [edition] Oxford University Press
CGP GCSE Biology for AQA (Grade 9-1) The Revision Guide Higher
CGP GCSE Biology for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Workbook Higher
CGP GCSE Biology for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Answer Book Higher
CGP GCSE Chemistry for AQA (Grade 9-1) The Revision Guide Higher
CGP GCSE Chemistry for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Workbook Higher
CGP GCSE Chemistry for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Answer Book Higher
CGP GCSE Physics for AQA (Grade 9-1) The Revision Guide Higher
CGP GCSE Physics for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Workbook Higher
CGP GCSE Physics for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Answer Book Higher
CGP GCSE Combined Science for AQA (Grade 9-1) The Revision Guide Higher or Foundation
CGP GCSE Combined Science for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Workbook Higher or Foundation CGP GCSE Combined Science for AQA (Grade 9-1) Exam Practice Answer Book Higher or Foundation
Enrichment
GCSE Science Live – the chance to see and hear five of Britain’s top scientists, all working at the cutting edge of their specialisms.
Big Bang Fair - an award-winning combination of exciting theatre shows, interactive workshops and exhibits and careers information from STEM professionals.
Brent and Harrow Medical Day - short talk by consultants and trainee doctors as well as three workshops which are led by student doctors so students can have an idea about what being a medical student is like.
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