Science
Our Vision
“To equip all students with the knowledge and skills to understand the impact of science on their lives through engaging, challenging and inspirational experiences.”
Director of Study
Mr P Griffith - Head of Department - email |
Assistant Directors of Study
Teachers
Mr C Beever (Associate Deputy Head)
Mr J Bowers
Mrs J CoxMs R Downs - Numeracy in science and Science Club
Mrs H Dutton - Science Club
Miss E Evans - Science Club
Mrs D Fernandez
Mrs H Hornby
Ms D Patkin
Mrs S PerkinsMiss A Scholes Higham
Key Stage 3
Our broad and considered science curriculum in KS3 involves learning key concepts in biology, chemistry and physics . The KS3 science curriculum is taught across Years 7-9 (2½ years) through the topics shown in the table below.
| Year | Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Cells, Tissues, Organs and Systems Mixtures and Separation Energy | Sexual reproduction in animals The particle model Current electricity | Muscles and Bones Atoms, Elements and Molecules Forces | Ecosystems Acids and Alkalis Sound |
| 8 | Food and nutrition The periodic table Fluids | Breathing and Respiration Metals and their uses Light | Unicellular organisms Combustion Energy transfers | Plants and their reproduction Rocks Earth and Space |
| 9 | Genetics and Evolution Reactivity Forces and Motion | Plant Growth Making materials Force fields and Electromagnets |
Students participate in a wide range of practical activities focussing particularly on the scientific skills used by scientists and needed for KS4 and beyond. Our students learn the scientific knowledge they need to make mature and informed decisions about current moral and ethical scientific issues.
The KS3 science curriculum is accessible to students via the school's online learning platform Firefly. To support student learning, educake is a website used for homework tasks and preparation for assessments. The educake quizzes set by teachers or students aim to to improve recall and accurate use of keywords. Links to bbc bitesize are made available to support better student performance. Bedrock is a website resource being launched in science to focus on the use of science-specific words whilst developing a student's vocabulary list.
Students are assessed during the year using classwork and independent learning tasks. Students are tested in biology, chemistry and physics using end of unit tests and a formal mock exam.
To facilitate learning and preparation for assessments, students are encouraged to access websites such as bbc bitesize or consider purchasing a KS3 resource. The school shop stocks CGP KS3 resources.
Key Stage 4
Students study either GCSE Combined Science or Separate Sciences (Triple). The KS4 science curriculum is taught across Years 9-11 (2½ years) through the topics shown in the table below.
| Year | Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Key Concepts in Biology | States of Matter and Mixtures Atomic Structure Ions | Conservation of energy Key concepts of physics |
| 10 | Cells and Control Genetics Natural Selection and Genetic Modification Health, Disease and the Development of medicines Plant Structure and their Functions | Structure and Bonding Metals Electrolysis Chemical and Fuel Cells (TRIPLE) Calculations involving masses Acids Quantitative Chemistry Equilibria Dynamic equilibria (TRIPLE) | Forces and Motion Waves Light and the EM Spectrum Radioactivity Astronomy (TRIPLE) Energy, Forces and their Effects |
| 11 | (Plant Structure and their Functions) Animal co-ordination, Control, and Homeostasis Exchange and Transport in Animals Ecosystems and Material Cycles | Groups in the Periodic Table Rates of Reaction Energy Changes Testing for ions (TRIPLE) Materials (TRIPLE) Hydrocarbons. Alcohols and Carboxylic acids. Polymers. (TRIPLE) Fuels Earth and Atmosphere | Electricity and Circuits Static Electricity (TRIPLE) Magnetism and the Motor Effect Electro-magnetic Induction Particle Model Forces and Matter |
Combined Science (Edexcel): This course leads to two GCSE grades and all examinations are sat at the end of Year 11. Students study topics from biology, chemistry and physics with no controlled assessment. Grades are based on the GCSE 9-1 grading system and the examinations can be sat at higher tier (grades 99 - 44) or foundation tier (grades 55 - 11).
Separate Sciences "Triple" (Edexcel): This course leads to a total of three GCSE grades: one GCSE in each of biology, chemistry and physics. All examinations are sat at the end of Year 11 with no controlled assessment. Grades are based on the new GCSE 9-1 grading system and the examinations can be sat at higher tier (grades 9 - 4) or foundation tier (grades 5 - 1).
The KS4 science curriculum is accessible to students via the school's online learning platform Firefly. Past exam papers and other resources to support revision by students are available on Firefly. Quizzes set by both teachers and students on the educake website aim to consolidate learning and accurate use of keywords. At KS4, students can use educake support slides alongside resource such as bbc bitesize to improve their performance. Students are suggested to purchase a revision guide to use alongside other resources. In the school shop we stock the following CGP revision guides:
- GCSE Edexcel Combined Science (Higher/Foundation)
- GCSE Edexcel Biology, Chemistry & Physics (all separate books for "triple" science)
Bedrock is a website resource being launched in KS4 science to develop student's literacy skills, including accurate use of science-specific words.
Students are assessed using classwork, independent learning tasks, end of unit assessments as well as a series of formal mock exams. Students can use the wide range of resources mentioned above to prepare for assessments. It is recommended that students carry out their preparation little and often throughout their 2½ GCSE course.
Learning & Revision Revision Guides – pay and collect at the main office:
Please note science GCSE courses are Pearson Edexcel
If required, CGP also sell text books, work books and answers. Alternative revision guides and work books are available from Pearson, as well as other publishers. If you require any assistance then please email your child's class teacher. | |