Science

KS3 Science

The principal focus of science teaching in Key Stage 3 is to develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Pupils should begin to see the connections between these subject areas and become aware of some of the big ideas underpinning scientific knowledge and understanding. Examples of these big ideas are the links between structure and function in living organisms, the particulate model as the key to understanding the properties and interactions of matter in all its forms, and the resources and means of transfer of energy as key determinants of all of these interactions. They should be encouraged to relate scientific explanations to phenomena in the world around them and start to use modelling and abstract ideas to develop and evaluate explanations.

Pupils should understand that science is about working objectively, modifying explanations to take account of new evidence and ideas and subjecting results to peer review. Pupils should decide on the appropriate type of scientific enquiry to undertake to answer their own questions and develop a deeper understanding of factors to be considered when collecting, recording and processing data. They should evaluate their results and identify further questions arising from them.

Year 10 KS4 Science

Year 10 GCSE Combined Science is structured to allow pupils to build knowledge and skills over time. Pupils cover the key concepts within biology, chemistry and physics before applying their learning in the next half term to forces, states of matter and cells. The units are structured to allow the pupils to gain knowledge as well as providing them with the skills to succeed in future units. The pupils will also be introduced to the core practicals that are compulsory at GCSE, these allow them to develop the scientific skills that they gained at KS3. Triple Science pupils in Y10 will follow a very similar pathway to Combined Science pupils, with the majority of Triple content covered in Y11. They will begin to cover Triple content in Biology, including Food Test and the Brain as well as completing the Physics Astronomy unit

Year 11 KS4 Science

Year 11 GCSE Combined Science builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in Year 10. Year 11 starts with pupils applying their understanding of the periodic table. Autumn term 1 extends pupils’ understanding of cells by learning about plants and photosynthesis. Pupils’ work on energy and forces are covered in greater depth in Autumn term 2 as they apply their mathematical reasoning to a range of scientific equations. The spring terms require pupils to incorporate everything they have learnt up to that point by studying electromagnetic induction, ecosystem and fuels and the environment. Year 11 culminates in pupils preparing for their examinations. For Triple Science pupils this is the year where they cover the majority of the unique Triple content. They build on their Y10 knowledge with units on Hydrocarbons, and an array of calculations. In Physics they gain a deeper understanding during the electricity topic, where they study static electricity. In Biology they build on their understanding of plants with a section on plant hormones and their uses.