Welcome to the Science department

 

Science offers an engaging, stimulating and practical curriculum, designed to broaden students knowledge of the wider applications of Science and develop their curiosity, interest and enjoyment of the subject.

Our department has an excellent record of achievement across the keystages, with many students choosing to further their Science studies at GCE and Degree level. We offer a broad curriculum where all pupils can succeed and reach their potential through a practically lead and hands on approach to teaching. In the last academic year, 100% of our GCSE cohort attained a Science GCSE with 76% of students achieving A* - C grade in Science. In addition to this, 70% of pupils opting for the Triple sciences achieved A* - A in all three sciences.

Our departmental aims are:

  • To provide pupils with a broad and balanced Science Curriculum
  • To promote an interest in the care of the environment
  • To allow pupils to develop thinking skills
  • To develop investigative, enquiry and practical skills
  • To stimulate curiosity, interest and enjoyment in the study of Science
  • To encourage pupils to ‘find out for themselves’
  • To help pupils develop numeracy, literacy and ICT skills

 

Key Stage 3

Pupils receive six hours per fortnight of Science in year 7 and 8, following National Curriculum guidelines where opportunities are provided to develop investigative, practical, literacy and numeracy skills. Pupils explore the Interdependence of organisms in Biology units, How Things Work in Physics units, and the Sustainable Earth in Chemistry units.

 

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, pupils are given the opportunity to study one of the following courses which best suits their skill set:

Triple Science

Pupils will be awarded three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics from the WJEC specifications. 

Double Award Science

Pupils will be awarded two GCSE grades in Science, each comprising of modules in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 

The triple Science and double award science specifications provide a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study.  They encourage learners to develop confidence in, and a positive attitude towards, Science and to recognise its importance in their own lives and to society.  Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all learners are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of Science. 

Each GCSE in the Triple Science route is examined with two written examinations and an externally assessed practical examination. 

Double Award Science is examined with six written examinations (two per Science), along with one externally assessed practical examination.

Key Stage 5

At Key Stage 5 we offer GCE Biology, Chemistry and Physics, all following the WJEC specification.

All three Science are examined through two written examinations in the summer of the AS year, and two further written examinations and a practically assessed exanimation in the summer of the A2 year.

Biology

Pupils will explore Basic Biochemistry and Cell Organisation, Biodiversity and Physiology of Body Systems, Homeostasis and the Environment, and Variation and Inheritance.

Chemistry

Pupils will explore the Language of Chemistry, the Structure of Matter and Simple Reactions, The Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, Energy and Rate, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry and Analysis.

Physics

Pupils will study units in Motion, Energy and Matter; Electricity and Light; Oscillations and Nuclei and Fields.