Intent

Our curriculum will inspire a love of Science – encouraging a curious, analytical and evaluative approach to the world around us. In addition, students will develop an understanding of the role of Science in society and how the various aspects of Science knit together to form the body of scientific knowledge.

Scientific literacy and numeracy are developed throughout the five-year journey. At a time when local, national and international issues are rooted in scientific understanding, the curriculum reflects the fact that humans have stewardship of Earth’s resources.


Introduction

At KS3, we have a focus on the development of subject-specific skills that are needed to prepare the students effectively for their KS4 studies. The focus of formative assessment at KS3 is based on these skills – students are given clear criteria and explicitly taught the skill or technique before being assessed on it. They are then given feedback which suggests they are either ‘developing’, ‘securing’ or ‘excelling’ in that skill area. Summative assessment is in the form of end-of-topic tests and the end-of-year exam.

At KS4, we continue the development of subject-specific skills, but specialist teachers teach the students in each of the three Sciences.

Y9 students in sets 1, 2 and 3 are taught on a rotation and have three lessons of Science per week. They are informed of the rotation dates (approximately every four weeks), and a mini-assessment is conducted at the end of each rotation.

Students in Y10 and 11 have six lessons of Science per week (2 for each respective Science).

The department consists of 9 full-time Science teachers and one temporary staff member.

We run a very popular Science club and participate in other activities that may arise during the year. For KS4 students, additional sessions support some of the ‘required practical’ information – staff will inform students as and when these sessions are running.

Mr L Humphreys

Head of Department

Miss N Sollars

2nd in Department
Professional Mentor ECF

Mr I Bromelow

Mrs W Conway

Mrs M Dudley

Mrs K Bailey

Mr C Keating

Mrs L McCabe

Head of KS3

Miss K Swift

Mrs N Griffiths

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Map

  Autumn Spring Summer
Year 7 Cells, Separating substances, electricity Acids and alkalis, reproduction, forces (part 1) States of matter, healthy living (part 1)
Year 8 Healthy living (part 2), changing materials, light Variation, metals, magnetism, sound Forces (part 2), earth and space, ecosystems

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Map

 

Autumn 1

Autumn 2

Spring 1

Spring 2

Summer 1

Summer 2

Year 9

BIO - cells

CHEM - atomic structure and the periodic table

PHYS - energy types and transfer, efficiency

BIO - cells

CHEM - atomic structure and the periodic table

PHYS - energy types and transfer, efficiency

BIO -cells

CHEM - atomic structure and the periodic table

PHYS - energy types and transfer, efficiency

BIO - cells

CHEM - atomic structure and the periodic table of matter

PHYS - heat transfer and specific heat capacity

BIO - cells

CHEM - atomic structure and the periodic table

PHYS - heat transfer and specific heat capacity

BIO - cells

CHEM - atomic structure and the periodic table

PHYS- heat transfer and specific heat capacity

Year 10

BIO – organisation 

CHEM – bonding, structure and properties

PHYS – electricity

BIO – organisation

CHEM - bonding, structure and properties

PHYS – electricity

BIO – infection and response

CHEM – quantitative chemistry

PHYS – particle model of matter

BIO – infection and response

CHEM – chemical changes

PHYS – particle model of matter

BIO - bioenergetics

CHEM – energy changes

PHYS – atomic structure

BIO - bioenergetics

CHEM – rate and extent of chemical reactions

PHYS – atomic structure

Year 11

BIO – homeostasis and response

CHEM – organic chemistry

PHYS – forces, waves

BIO - inheritance, variation and evolution

CHEM – chemical analysis

PHYS – magnetism and electromagnetism

BIO –ecology

CHEM – chemistry of the atmosphere, using resources

PHYS -space

BIO - revision

CHEM - revision

PHYS - revision

BIO - revision

CHEM - revision

PHYS - revision

 

 

The exam board is AQA

Link to specifications

AQA - GCSE Science


Revision guides and resources

BBC Bitesize
YouTube channels such as "My GCSE Science" or "Malmesbury Science"
Resources discussed and linked to on "Cognito Science" YouTube channel
Revision activities on the "SENECA Learning" website

KS3 Science (Y7 and 8 students) - ISBN 9781841463858

KS4 (Y9 onwards):

For Triple Science students:

  • Biology revision guide - ISBN 9781782945567
  • Chemistry revision guide – ISBN 9781782945574
  • Physics revision guide - ISBN 9781782945581

For Combined Science students: ISBN 9781782945598

A-Levels in Science, BTEC courses in Science, apprenticeship opportunities in a Science-related field. These could lead to degrees in Science-related subjects and numerous employment routes. Level 3 qualifications in any of the Sciences are regularly rated as one of the most desirable qualifications for students when they apply for university places.

Updated: Mar 2023