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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

An introduction to working scientifically

Sound

Space

Cells

Structure and function of body systems

Philosophy for Children

Particles and their behaviour

Light

 

Forces

Reactions

 

Acids & Alkalis

Elements, Atoms & Compounds

Reproduction  

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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

The periodic table

Adaptation and inheritance

Forensics

Electricity and magnetism

Motion and Pressure

 

Separation Techniques

Metals and acids

 

Energy

   

Knowledge Organisers:

You have not allowed cookies and this content may contain cookies.

If you would like to view this content please

 

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:

AQA Combined Science

AQA Biology

AQA Chemistry

AQA Physics

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 :

AQA

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 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.