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Sciences

Science explains the world around us: biology, chemistry, and physics are all fascinating to study.

Department Vision:
To inspire curious, creative and confident students.
Department Aim:
To develop high-level scientific skills and knowledge that confidently explore processes and phenomena in the biological, chemical and physical world around them.
Page content:

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.

Learning Ladders

Click on the Learning Ladder to see a larger version. The Learning Ladder shows the subjects or topics that students will learn about each year. Click on any 'Year' roundel to view an in-depth Learning Journey for the year you have selected. This shows in more detail, what students will learn each term, with links to useful resources etc. (this applies to all roundels)

BIOLOGY KS3/4

View the Learning Ladder and the Learning Journey for this subject here.

BIOLOGY TRILOGY KS4

View the Learning Ladder and the Learning Journey for this subject here.

PHYSICS KS3/4

View the Learning Ladder and the Learning Journey for this subject here.

PHYSICS TRILOGY KS4

View the Learning Ladder and the Learning Journey for this subject here.

CHEMISTRY KS3/4

View the Learning Ladder and the Learning Journey for this subject here.

CHEMISTRY TRILOGY KS4

View the Learning Ladder and the Learning Journey for this subject here.

BIOLOGY KS5

View the Learning Ladder and the Learning Journey for this subject here.

CHEMISTRY KS5

View the Learning Ladder and the Learning Journey for this subject here.

PHYSICS KS5

View the Learning Ladder and the Learning Journey for this subject here.

Wider Curriculum

The Wider Curriculum allows students to take a further interest in their subjects and subject related material they study at school. The Wider Curriculum also enables parents and carers to actively engage with the opportunities offered by each department.

WIDER CURRICULUM KS3

Each PDF is hyperlinked, so when you click on them, the links will take you to areas where you may read, view, listen, visit and be creative.

WIDER CURRICULUM KS4

Each PDF is hyperlinked, so when you click on them, the links will take you to areas where you may read, view, listen, visit and be creative.

WIDER CURRICULUM KS5

Each PDF is hyperlinked, so when you click on them, the links will take you to areas where you may read, view, listen, visit and be creative.

Career Options in Sciences

These are some examples of career paths available if you study this subject:

Biology

Doctor, Physician, Nurse, Dentist, Paramedic, Pharmacologist, Scientific Sales or Technical Service Representative, Medical Research, Laboratory Technician (medical, microbiological, biotechnological), Sports Scientist, Sports Coach, Health and Lifestyle Coach, Dietician, Food (dairy, brewery production), Food Inspector, Nutritionist, Veterinarian, Animal Technician (looking after animals in zoo, pet store, vivarium, veterinary hospital), Greenhouse/Garden Curator, Horticulturist, Agricultural or Wildlife fields Environmental Technician/Consultant

Chemistry

Agriculturalist, Analytical Chemist, Biochemist, Bio-technologist, Chemical Education, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Sales, Chemical Technologist, Consulting, Environmental Chemist, Food and Flavour Chemist, Forensic Chemist, Geochemist, Inorganic Chemist, Materials Scientist, Medicinal Chemist, Organic Chemist, Science Writing, Textile Chemist, Water Chemist

Physics

Physicist, Astrophysicist, Aeronautical Engineer, Automotive Engineer, Medical Physicist, Research Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Nuclear Engineer, Software Engineer, Scientific Journalist, Optometrist, Forensic Scientist, Energy Explorer, Patent Attorney, Satellite Data Analyst, Business Manager, Miistry of Defence, Physics Consultant, Clinical Psychologist, Public Policy, Telecommunications Engineer, Air Traffic Controller, Teaching, Technical Illustrator, The Armed Forces