Science

KEY STAGE 3 SCIENCE

Introduction

The Key Stage 3 Science National Curriculum is organised into specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  It is taught over two years in years 7 and 8 by subject specialist teachers. The purpose of this structure is to ensure that students grasp the fundamental principles and experimental techniques that underpin each of the science disciplines by the end of year 8 and so are prepared for the transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 at the beginning of year 9.

We aim to teach the topics in a stimulating way which will promote the interest of students’ in Science and encourage them to relate the topics to their everyday experiences.  They will be able to appreciate the advances made in Science and the impact they have had on their own lives as well as the wider world.  A strong emphasis is placed on experimental work, giving students the opportunities to develop their investigative skills and become familiar with safe working procedures.

Teaching the curriculum in individual lessons of Biology, Chemistry and Physics has proven to be very beneficial as it enables each science specialism to be taught in greater depth and detail. It also allows the areas of strength and weakness of each student to be identified in each science specialism and so allows for more focussed intervention to take place at the earliest opportunity.

KEY STAGE 4 SCIENCE

Introduction

There are two possible routes to take for the study of Science:

ROUTE 1: GCSE TRIPLE SCIENCE

We teach the AQA Biology (8461), AQA Chemistry (8462) and AQA Physics (8463) courses which are often collectively known as Triple Science or Separate Science. The three science disciplines are taught by subject specialist teachers independent of each other.

This route must be chosen from the appropriate group on the “options” form.

Course requirement:
Recommendation by Head of Science and high level of achievement in the end of year 9 exams for Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

ROUTE 2: GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE

We teach the AQA Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) course which is commonly known as Double Science. The course content is organised into specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics (see table below) and is taught by subject specialist teachers.

This route is automatically selected for students who do NOT choose Triple Science as an option.

Course requirement:
No specific requirements.

Both of these routes provide the foundations for understanding the natural world and to appreciate its importance in our lives as well as the future prosperity of the world. We aim to teach this course in ways which inspires, motivates and challenges students. We try to encourage students to develop curiosity about the natural world and enable them to appreciate its relevance to their everyday lives.

Students will be able to:

• demonstrate their knowledge and understanding and apply these to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts using appropriate scientific terminology
• use a range of mathematical skills to perform scientific calculations
• analyse qualitative and quantitative data to draw logical, well-evidenced conclusions
• evaluate and refine methodologies, and judge the validity of scientific conclusions

For further study of Science, both of these routes are widely accepted by post-16 schools and colleges. However, GCSE Triple Science ensures a smoother progression to AS or A level as the subject content is taught to a greater level of depth and detail.

GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE

Assessment:

As the qualification is linear, all exams will be taken at the end of the course. Students will be assessed upon their knowledge and understanding from each of the subject areas. They will take a total of six written papers in either the foundation or higher tier. Each paper will comprise of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions.

There will be no controlled assessment although written exams will include questions that draw on students’ practical science experience from their lessons.

Students will be awarded two GCSE grades based upon their ‘combined’ performance in the three subject specialisms.

GCSE TRIPLE SCIENCE

Assessment:

Students will be independently assessed upon their knowledge and understanding from each science subject. They will take a total of six written papers in either the foundation or higher tier. Each paper will comprise of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions.

There will be no controlled assessment although written exams will include questions that draw on students’ practical science experience from their lessons.

Students will be awarded three GCSE grades based upon their ‘individual’ performances in Biology, Chemistry and Physics – these grades are independent of each other.