Curriculum at KS3
Years 7 & 8 study topics ranging from Ecology to Space on a monthly rotation. The focus of teaching is on the acquisition of key skills known as ‘How Science Works’ alongside knowledge and content. Students are provided with ladder sheets which contain information on the objectives for each topic, and homework task sheets for topics in which each week they are expected to submit a piece of either creative, skill, or knowledge based work. The final week’s homework is a revision exercise in preparation for their end of unit assessment. To ensure assessment is both rigorous and focused on supporting student progression, students undertake a range of assessments, in addition to their end of unit assessment, within each topic. Preparation for formal exams is aided through final year assessments.
Students are supported in their learning through the department’s lunch time Science club every Tuesday and access to IT resources every Monday from 3:15-4pm. There are many excellent websites students can access to deep their knowledge of science including BBC bitesize.
Curriculum at KS4
Most students follow a Combined Science curriculum which leads to a double award GCSE graded from 9-1. Core concepts, providing the foundational knowledge for this course, are taught throughout year 9. As part of the Combined Science GCSE, students undertake study of Science across the 3 disciplines (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). With the removal of controlled assessments and a greater focus on practical skills within final exams, students undertake practical investigations each unit.
Selected students will be offered the opportunity to undertake Single Science, studying each discipline in depth and enabling them to secure three GCSE qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Students are supported in their study of GCSE Science through topic target sheets, outlining objectives as well as individual access to Active Learn and the GMS Edmodo pages. These provide targeted revision support and independent learning tasks.
Examination body
All GCSE Sciences are delivered through the Edexcel Specification and sit final exams in year 11. Within Single Science, one option may also be taken at early entry (end of year 10).
|
GCSE |
Key Practicals * |
Practical in exam (%) |
Math in exam (%) |
Number of exams and time |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Single Science |
Biology |
8 |
15 |
10 |
2 x 1hr 45mins |
|
Chemistry |
8 |
20 |
2 x 1hr 45mins |
||
|
Physics |
8 |
30 |
2 x 1hr 45mins |
||
|
Combined Science |
16 |
20 |
6 x 1hr 10mins |
||
Useful resources
KS3 Revision guides are available from the school at a discounted price of £8.
Combined Science revision guides are also available through the school at this discounted price of £8. Single Science revision guides are also available at £4 each. With a greater focus on application of knowledge, it is also recommended that students purchase workbooks. These can be bought together with revision guides for £16.
Additional resources include individual access to Active Learn and GMS Edmodo pages.
