Science

Science is taught at Key Stage 3-5 in two purpose-built, fully resourced science laboratories. In science, our aim is to provide an excellent education for all our students, giving them the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them.

At Key Stage 3 we follow the AQA Activate course. This has been specifically tailored to the new AQA KS3 Syllabus and Big Ideas principle and helps students prepare for AQA GCSE Sciences which we follow at KS4. All students get free online access to the student eBooks and resources via Kerboodle.

In Year’s 7 and 8, students have two science lessons each week covering the following topics:

Useful links:

·         https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/ks3/ks3-science-syllabus
·         https://www.kerboodle.com/users/login

At KS4, we follow the AQA specification for GCSE Sciences. All students get free online access to the student eBooks via Boost (the online platform provided by Hodder Education).

In Year 9 students begin their GCSE courses and are taught the three sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as separate subjects by specialist teachers. At the end of Year 9, pupils will then choose to study either Combined Science (equivalent to two GCSE’s) or Separate Sciences (equivalent to three GCSE’s).

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy AQA (8464)

Combined Science is a course with a wide-ranging curriculum that encompasses all three sciences and will suit students with any scientific aspiration. The course aims to encourage students to develop a critical approach to scientific evidence, develop the scientific literacy needed by every citizen as well as explore the implications of science for society.

By the end of the course students will have gained a knowledge and understanding of science and how science works, applied their skills of knowledge and understanding to new situations, and developed their practical, enquiry and data handling skills.

Summary of the scheme of assessment: At the end of Year 11, students will sit two examinations for each science (six in total). Each paper contains multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response questions. There is no coursework component for this course. Instead, there are a number of required practicals that students must carry out throughout the course. These will be assessed in the terminal examination.

GCSE Separate Sciences in Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Each GCSE above acts as a stand-alone qualification. Students studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate sciences will cover more content than GCSE Combined Science which will provide greater preparation for KS5.

Summary of the scheme of assessment: For each science students will sit two examinations. Again, each paper contains multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response questions. There is no coursework component for this course. Instead, there are a number of required practicals that students must carry out throughout the course. These will be assessed in the terminal examination.

Useful links:

·         https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse
·         https://boost-learning.com/

Key Stage 5

In Year 12-13 we currently offer A Level Biology (OCR) and Chemistry (OCR). Both are very popular subjects at A Level.

Useful links:

·         https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/biology-a-h020-h420-from-2015/
·         https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/chemistry-a-h032-h432-from-2015/