Examination Boards: AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy (8464)
GCSE Separate Science AQA Biology 8461, Chemistry 8462, Physics 8463
A-level: OCR Biology (A H420), OCR Chemistry A (H432) and AQA Physics (7408)
Suitability and provision of each course option is shared and reviewed throughout KS4.
The Science Department’s focus is to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence in all our students. Science requires them to demonstrate the scientific method by:
- Hypothesising about the biological, physical and chemical world around them.
- Planning, investigating and exploring the answers.
- Theorising and applying their learning across topics.
The department is one of the largest in the school and boasts nine laboratories and several associated “prep” rooms. The facilities in our purpose-built block allow us to provide both theoretical and experimental opportunities for students in their lessons.
Throughout their academic years, students follow a well-developed spiralling curriculum, whereby knowledge and themes are revisited and built upon each year. The structure of such a curriculum allows for a keen focus on recall and retention of foundational scientific concepts whilst deepening their understanding and application to more complex processes and problems.
In biology students will learn about cells (the building blocks of life) and how they work together on a microscopic scale and larger scale in the body of animals and plants to fulfil all the functions it requires. They also learn how organisms will defend themselves against infections. Students explore the ecological world around us and the interdependence of species and the importance of biodiversity. Students will learn about inheritance of genes and traits in plants and animals and how selective breeding and genetic engineering is used today.
In chemistry students explore the world of atoms and molecules. Students will confidently determine the makeup of atoms of different elements and use the periodic table to analyse the quantitative properties of atoms and compounds. They learn why particular atoms behave in specific ways and learn to predict the reactions they might see when combining them. Students look at bonding and rates of reaction whilst gaining knowledge of how to test for specific products. Students gain an appreciation of the impact our actions have on the earth’s resources and how these impacts on the atmosphere. Knowledge of this can lead to more sustainable living to benefit the generations to come.
In physics students study the physical world around them. Students will gain an understanding of the structure and energy of matter and how this is transferred and transformed to different types and places. Students learn about electricity, how it travels, how it behaves and how it is generated and safely transported around the UK for our use. Through forces they will learn about motion and changes in shape – learning why things move in the way they do. Students will confidently be able to discuss the instability of atoms and how this can lead to nuclear radiation and gain an appreciation of the health and safety risks of this. The physical world begins on a sub-atomic scale reaching all the way to a universal one – studying atomic distances up to light years.
At A-level we are fortunate to offer each of the disciplines: Biology Chemistry and Physics, each taught by specialist teachers and advancing the knowledge accrued at KS4. The transition from KS4 is progressive and challenging but well supported by the teacher. Lesson sequences embed practical skills required for further education and employment. Students will become confident in manipulating more sophisticated equipment than at KS4 and acquire a broad and appropriate vocabulary.
