Welcome to the Science Department
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, as well as being 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, as well as the end of year exam.
At KS4 we continue the development of subject specific skills, but the students are taught by specialist teachers in each of the three Sciences.
Y9 students in sets 1, 2 and 3 are taught on a rotation, and have 3 lessons of Science per week. They are informed of the rotation dates (approximately every 4 weeks) and a mini assessment is conducted at the end of each rotation.
Students in Y10 and 11 have 6 lessons of Science per week (2 for each respective Science).
The department consists of 9 full time Science teachers, and one temporary member of staff.
We run a very popular Science club, as well as participating in other activities that may arise during the year. For KS4 students, there are additional sessions to support some of the ‘required practical’ information – staff will inform students as and when these sessions are running.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Map
|
|
Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
|
Year 7 |
Skills, states of matter |
Acids and alkalis, electricity |
Separating substances |
Cells |
Reproduction |
Space |
|
Year 8 |
Healthy living, changing materials |
Forces |
Metals, light |
Magnetism |
Ecosystems |
Variation |
Assessment Map
|
|
Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
|
Year 7 |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of year exam |
|
Year 8 |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of unit topic test, skills assessment |
End of year exam |
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 |
|
Assessment Map
|
|
Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
|
Year 9 |
Mini assessments at the end of each rotation (sets 1, 2, 3) or at the end of each topic (sets 4 and 5) |
Mini assessments at the end of each rotation (sets 1, 2, 3) or at the end of each topic (sets 4 and 5) |
Mini assessments at the end of each rotation (sets 1, 2, 3) or at the end of each topic (sets 4 and 5) |
Mini assessments at the end of each rotation (sets 1, 2, 3) or at the end of each topic (sets 4 and 5) |
Mini assessments at the end of each rotation (sets 1, 2, 3) or at the end of each topic (sets 4 and 5) |
End of year exam – based on topic 1 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics |
|
Year 10 |
In class assessments at the end of each topic, or before a data drop |
In class assessments at the end of each topic, or before a data drop |
In class assessments at the end of each topic, or before a data drop |
In class assessments at the end of each topic, or before a data drop |
In class assessments at the end of each topic, or before a data drop |
End of year mock exam – based on a full paper one exam |
|
Year 11 |
In class assessments at the end of each topic, or before a data drop |
Y11 mock exam - students will be informed of the content, and revision materials provided |
In class assessments at the end of each topic, or before a data drop |
Second Y11 mock exam - usually completed in class (possibly split over two lessons) |
In class assessments, using past paper questions. Some of these are conducted in exam conditions |
|
The exam board is AQA
Revision guides and resources
GCSEPod
BBC Bitesize
YouTube channels such as "My GCSE Science" or "Malmesbury Science"
Resources discussed and linked to on "The Student Room" website
Revision activities on the "SENECA Learning" website
KS3 Science (Y7 and 8 students) - ISBC 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: ISBC 9781782945598
Link to specifications
Where does it lead?
A-Levels in Science, BTEC courses in Science, apprenticeship opportunities in a Science-related field. These could lead on 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 a student to have when they come to apply for university places.
Updated: Oct 2018