Science

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.