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Science
Department staff:
Miss B Hartwell: Subject Leader, Teacher of Science
Miss F Laverick: ASL i/c of Chemistry, Teacher of Chemistry
Mr M Savory: ASL i/c of Biology, Teacher of Biology
Mr T Norris: ASL i/c of Physics, Teacher of Physics and Radiation Protection Supervisor
Mrs K Brown: Teacher of Biology (Bronte House Tutor Leader)
Mrs A Crossan: Teacher of Biology
Mrs P Holland: Assistant Headteacher, Teacher of Chemistry
Miss A McLaughlin: Teacher of Biology
Mr N Meldrum: Teacher of Biology (Wilberforce House Progress Leader)
Dr K Pople: Teacher of Chemistry
Mr A Talbot: Research Associate for Science and Teacher of Science
Mr M Thistlewaite: Teacher of Physics
Miss A Young: Teacher of Biology
Mrs K Purnell: Senior Science Technician
Miss L Johnson: Science Technician
Miss C Lowther: Science Technician
Miss G Rankin: Science Technician
Mrs C Carr: Department Assistant
Key Stage 3:
Overview of the course
Students follow a two year key stage 3 science course based upon the National Curriculum. They study a wide range of topics across the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics in their science lessons. Students will develop new practical skills and scientific techniques, linking ideas to the world around them and developing their understanding of working scientifically. This course prepares students for continuing their scientific study at GCSE from year 9.
What will I learn?
| Year 7 Topic Areas | Year 8 Topic Areas |
| Lab Detectives – an introduction to working safely and using science to answer questions
Cells, Tissues and Organs Particles Electricity and Circuits Energy Food Security Reproduction Chemical Elements |
Mixtures and Compounds
Reactivity of Metals Structure of the Earth Gas Exchange Speed Forces, Pressure and Magnets Skeleton, Muscles and Movement Digestion, Nutrition and Health Sound and Hearing Light and Vision Space |
Key Stage 4: Science
GCSE Combined Science Trilogy and Separate Sciences
GCSE Combined Science Trilogy Examination board: AQA Science Trilogy
GCSE Separate Sciences Examination board: AQA Biology
Overview of the courses
|
Biology |
Chemistry |
Physics |
| Cell biology | Atomic structure and the periodic table |
Forces, motion and pressure |
| Organisation | Bonding structure and properties of matter |
Energy and energy resources |
| Infection and Response | Quantitative Chemistry |
Waves and optics |
| Bioenergetics | Chemical Changes |
Electricity |
| Homeostasis and response | Energy Changes | Magnetism and electromagnetism |
| Inheritance, Variation and Evolution | Rate and extent of chemical change |
Particle model of matter |
| Ecology | Organic Chemistry |
Atoms and nuclear radiation |
| Chemical Analysis |
Space physics (GSCE physics only) |
|
| Chemistry of the atmosphere | ||
| Using resources |
*Separate Science students study additional material within each topic.
GCSE Combined Science is worth 2 GCSEs.
The results from a student’s six science exams are combined to give an overall grade on a 17-point scale from “9-9” to “1-1”:
| Highest possible grades: |
Lowest possible grades: |
||||||||||||||||
|
9-9 |
9-8 |
8-8 |
8-7 |
7-7 |
7-6 |
6-6 |
6-5 |
5-5 |
5-4 |
4-4 |
4-3 |
3-3 |
3-2 |
2-2 |
2-1 |
1-1 |
|
There is no controlled assessment; GCSE Combined Science is 100% exam-based.
Practical work is an integral part of the course, students must complete a set number of ‘required practicals’ throughout the course. Student’s understanding of these practicals and the accompanying techniques will be assessed in the exams.
Assessment details for students studying separate sciences
These exams are different to those sat by students studying Combined Science.
Students achieve 3 science GCSE grades in biology, chemistry and physics on the 1 to 9 scale.
There is no controlled assessment, GCSE Sciences are 100% exam-based.
Practical work is an integral part of each course, students must complete a set number of ‘required practicals’ throughout each course. Student’s understanding of these practicals and the accompanying techniques will be assessed in the exam.
Entry Level Certificate
Overview of the course
Students can be entered for two awards:
ELC – Single Award
ELC – Double Award
Candidates can receive: entry level 1, entry level 2 or entry level 3.
Course content includes:
- Biology: The Human Body & Environment, evolution & inheritance
- Chemistry: Elements, mixtures and compounds & chemistry in our world
- Physics: Energy, forces & structure of matter & Electricity, magnetism & waves
Assessment details
Externally set assignments short written tests) and Teacher devised assignments (a short piece of practical work)
Single award: Students submit a portfolio of evidence containing: 3 Externally set assignments and 3 Teacher devised assignments (they do not have to be from the same topics).
Dual Award: Submit a portfolio of evidence from all six units.
Examination board: AQA Entry Level
Useful Subject Links:
BBC Bitesize – AQA Core Science Revision (2011-2017)
BBC Bitesize – AQA Additional Science Revision (2011-2017)
BBC Bitesize – Biology Revision (New Scheme)
BBC Bitesize – Chemistry Revision (New Scheme)
BBC Bitesize – Physics Revision (New Scheme)
BBC Bitesize – KS3 Science Revision