Science

teStaffing
Ms Palmer  - Head of faculty
Mr Wakelin - Deputy Head of faculty
Ms Watt - Head of Key stage 3

Ms Serrano
Mr Amuah Fuster
Mr Myton
Ms Lang
Ms Bleau
Dr Abdullahi
Dr Gali
Mr Mistry
Ms Kajukumar
Ms Shah
Ms Shaikh

 

KS3
Our aim and objective is to engage young learners with a wide variety of scientific concepts and activities to stimulate their natural enquiring mind into asking the question ‘How does science work?’.
The KS3 curriculum is essentially a balanced curriculum providing learners with the knowledge of the natural world, the skills of investigation and experimentation, and an appreciation of the importance of science to individuals and society.
The learners follow the National Curriculum in KS3; the themes studied are used to develop their science skills as described in the APP (Assessing Pupil Progress) framework. The course includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics giving learners a platform for their KS4 science course. The units in the KS3 topics are:

  • Organisms, Behaviour and Health
  • Chemical and material behaviour
  • Energy Electricity and Forces
  • The Environment, Earth and Universe

Learners are taught in mixed ability groups in Year 7 and ability groups in Year 8 and Year 9.  Learners in Key stage 3 receive 4 lessons of science weekly.
The science course engages, enthuses and excites learners developing skills. Our priority is to generate a learning environment that learners will enjoy whilst giving them the tools to finding answers to ‘How science works’.

 

KS4
Learners in Year 10 and 11 follow the AQA syllabus. The learners are taught in ability groups, the year groups are split into four ability groups for each half of the year group. Learners work towards the terminal Core Science examinations in Biology, Chemistry and Physics at the end of Year 10. In addition all learners complete a practical assessment worth 25% for their Core Science GCSE. In Year 11 learners continuing with Science GCSE complete the Additional GCSE Science course. Learners are required to complete a second practical assessment which  also constitutes 25% of the GCSE.
Learners not completing the Double Science GCSE continue with the BTEC Applied Science Course equivalent to two GCSEs.
All learners receive 5 lessons of science per week, those pursuing the Triple Science option receive an additional 3 lessons.

 

A level
The Science Faculty offer Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A level. Learners receive six periods per subject each week. Learners are expected to complete 5 hours of independent study per week.

 

Biology
We follow the AQA syllabus in Biology. The course is split in three units at both AS and A2 stages.
Learners will take their terminal examination in June. They will study the following units at AS:
•Unit 1: Biology and Disease
•Unit 2: The Variety of Living Organisms
•Unit 3: Practical and Investigative Skills (20% of total AS marks, 10% of total A Level marks)
The learners will study the following units during the A2 units:
•Unit 4: Populations and Environment
•Unit 5: Control in Cells and in Organisms
•Unit 6: Practical and Investigative Skills (10% of the total A Level marks)

 

Chemistry
We follow the Edexcel syllabus in chemistry. In both AS and A2 the course is split into 3 units. Learners will sit their terminal examinations in June.   Assessed practical make up the units studied in AS and A2 are as follows:

  • Unit 1: The Core Principles of Chemistry
  • Unit 2: Application of Core Principles of Chemistry
  • Unit 3: Chemistry Laboratory Skills I (10%)
  • Unit 4: General Principles of Chemistry I – Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry
  • Unit 5: General Principles of Chemistry II – Transition Metals and Organic Nitrogen Chemistry
  • Unit 6: Chemistry Laboratory Skills II (10.0%)

Physics
We follow the AQA syllabus in Biology. The course is split in three units at both AS and A2 stages.
Learners will take their terminal examination in June. They will study the following units at AS:
•Unit 1: Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity
•Unit 2: Mechanics, Materials and Waves
•Unit 3: Investigative and Practical Skills. (20% of total AS marks,10% of total A Level marks)
The learners will study the following units during the A2 units taking their terminal examinations in June:
•Unit 4: Fields and Further Mechanics
•Unit 5: This unit comprises two sections
◦Section A: Nuclear and Thermal Physics
◦Section B: Option Units
•Unit 6: Investigative and Practical Skills. (10% of the total A Level marks)

 

How Learners are assessed.
Learners are assessed regularly using a combination of practical skill and progress tests at the end of teaching units. Learners are expected to assess their learning whilst reviewing their progress and learning targets. Students are monitored and tracked closely to ensure both they and parents are furnished with their progress.

 

Homework
Homework is considered to be an important factor in achieving high standards. It is set weekly at KS3 and KS4. Learners are given homework during their lesson or on Fronter with a record kept in their planners for self management.

 

Revision, Intervention and Enrichment
A science club is run weekly for Key Stage 3 learners. The Crest award is offered to the Gifted and Talented students, the award is nationally recognised. Learners are invited to attend enrichment classes after school and during school holiday. The lessons are tailored to prepare learners for terminal key stage examinations and complete coursework.