Science
Overview:
Science is the systematic study of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation.
- Biology is the study of living organisms and their structure, life-cycles, adaptations and environment.
- Chemistry is the study of the composition, behaviour and properties of matter, and of the elements of the Earth and its atmosphere.
- Physics is the study of energy, forces, mechanics, waves, and the structure of atoms and the physical universe
Career links
- Analytical chemist
- Animal technician
- Biomedical scientist
- Clinical scientist jobs
- Community pharmacist
- Crime scene investigator
- Food technologist
Intent:
We believe that Science is best learned and understood through experimentation and investigation.
In lower school, lessons have a practical focus to allow pupils to develop their “can-do” skills and knowledge through direct hands-on experience. We look at examples of how Science is applied in the real world to encourage pupils to further develop their understanding before moving to more abstract Scientific concepts.
In upper school, most pupils study the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Combined Science course which allows them to continue a balanced approach to their Biology, Chemistry and Physics studies and results in a Double Science GCSE award.
Some pupils make an option choice at the end of Year 9 to study Triple Award science resulting in 3 GCSEs.
Subject progression & sequencing
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Year 7 |
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Year 8 |
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Year 9 |
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GCSE Combined science (dual award)
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Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
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Year 10 |
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Year 11 |
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GCSE Triple award Science – additional content
Year 10
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SB1: 1) Testing foods 2) Core Prac: testing foods 3) Core Prac: testing foods SB2: 4)The brain 5) Brain and spinal cord problems 6) The eye SB3: 7) Sexual and Asexual reproduction 8)Protein Synthesis |
9) Genetic Variants and Phenotypes 10)Mendel 11) Multiple and missing alleles 12) SB4: Development of Darwin’s Theory 13) Tissure Culture 14)GM and agriculture 15) Fertilisers and Biological control 16)SB5: Virus Life cycles |
17) Plant defenses 18) Plant diseases 19)Monoclonal Antibodies 20) Core Prac: Antibiotics |
21) SB7:Thermoregulation 22) Osmoregulation 23) The kidneys SB8: 24) Factors affecting diffusion |
21) SB7:Thermoregulation 22) Osmoregulation 23) The kidneys SB8: 24) Factors affecting diffusion |
29) Asssessing Pollution 30) Food security 31) Rates of decompostion |
Year 10
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SC22: 1)Alkanes and Alkenes 2)Reactions of Alkanes and alkenes SC23:3) Ethanol Production 4) Alcohols 5)Core Prac- Combustion of alcohols 6) Carboxylic acids SC24: 7)Addition polymerisation 8)Polymer properties and uses |
9)Condensation Polymerisation 10)Problems with Polymers 11) Assessment SC25: 12) Flame tests and Photometry 13) Tests for positive ions 14) Tests for negative ions 15) Core Prac; Identifying ions SC26: 16) Choosing materials |
17) Composite materials 18) Nanoparticles 19) Assessment SC14 1) Yields |
2) Atom Economy 3) Concentrations 4) Titrations and Calculations 5)Core Prac Acid-Alkali titration 6) Molar volume of gases |
SC13: 1) Transition metals 2) Corrosion 3) Electroplating 4) Alloying |
5) Uses of metals and their alloys 6) Assessment SC15: 1) Fertilisers and the Haber process 2) Factors affecting equilibirum 3)Chemical cells and fuel cells 4) Assessment |
Year 10
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SP7: 1) The Solar System 2) Gravity and orbits 3) Life cycles of stars 4) Red-shift 5) Origin of the Universe SP2: 6) Breaking distance and energy, CP2 SP5: 7) Ray diagrams 8) Colour |
9) Lenses 10) Radiation and temperature 11) Core Prac: Investigating radiation SP13: 12) The National grid SP4: 13) Waves crossing boundaries 14) Ears and hearing 15) Ultrasound 16) Infrasound |
17) SP6: Using radioactivity 18) Radioactivity in Medicine 19) Nuclear Energy 20)Nuclear Fission 21) Nuclear Fusion 22) SP9: Rotational Forces 23)SP 10: More about resistance 24) Charges and static electricity |
25) Dangers and uses of static electricity 26) Electric Fields |
Useful resources
Pearson Activelearn website
BBC Bitesize – Edexcel GCSE Combined science
BBC Bitesize – Key Stage 3 (Yrs 7-9)