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Science

To view our curriculum plans, please click the following:

Year 7      Year 8      Year 9      Year 10      Year 11      Year 12      Year 13

 

To view the Science Department Feedback Policy, please click here.

 

Intent

Children have a natural curiosity for nature and it is our job as members of Team Science to enhance and sustain this by showing that science provides an understanding of the exciting physical, chemical and biological worlds around them. As specialist Science teachers, our purpose is to motivate, inspire and empower our pupils so that they will become responsible and educated ‘St Hilda’s scientists’ who will hold the future of the Earth and its resources in their safe hands. We aim to show how scientific advancement has the power to save lives and benefit the global community but also that there is a responsibility to use science wisely and not destructively. As effective role models, Science teachers can also show that science qualifications can open the door to many rewarding careers in STEM and the wider world.

Progression in learning is most effectively accomplished if the teacher has the responsibility for organising and facilitating learning and is not just following a script! However, we do need a firm subject knowledge and pedagogical foundation from which we can plan and deliver lessons that are engaging and challenging to all pupils. When pupils were asked what makes science lessons ‘enjoyable’, the main responses turned out to be ‘good teachers’ and ‘practical work’ (Wellcome Trust). Based on the National Curriculum (2015), BEST subject maps and exam syllabi, we are developing our schemes of work to accomplish this for our pupils at St Hilda’s.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of team science

The Science curriculum we follow at St Hilda’s encompasses many issues of relevance to life in the 21st Century throughout Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

At KS3 and 4, we teach a five year ‘spiral’ curriculum where key foundation concepts from KS2 are built upon and enhanced through the years.

Key biological, chemical and physical ideas are taught and revisited throughout years 7-13 whilst enhancing key scientific skills and knowledge of the wider world such as:

 

  • Concepts of risk and problem solving.
  • Practical skills.
  • Investigative approaches, analysis of data and evaluation.
  • Specialist vocabulary and language used when discussing scientific issues.
  • Moral and Ethical issues raised by scientific and medical advances.
  • Technological advancement and social and  personal responsibilities within fields of science.
  • Environmental issues, sustainability and respect for living things.
  • Promoting good health and diet.

 

Key Stage 3

Students are taught Science in forms in year 7 and in two bands of three sets in year 8 by one or more Science teachers. 

In year 9 they are taught in two bands of three sets by three subject specialists covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

The students in all year groups are following the National Curriculum for Science.  

In year 9, we currently focus on the skills and needed for GCSE and have identified key crossover KS3/4 topics for maximum engagement and GCSE Trilogy Science preparation.

 

Key Stage 4

In year 10 all students study Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with 3 specialist teachers for a total of 12 hours a fortnight.

Some students will complete a dual award called GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy, and some will complete separate qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

In year 10 we teach all content so that any course can be accessed and students can move set depending on progress made.

All of the above courses follow the AQA Science syllabus.

We will choose the most appropriate course for your child at the end of year 10; checking again that this is still the best for them after yr 11 mocks.

We ensure that students are on the right pathway for them and thus giving them the best chance of achieving higher qualifications is really important.

 

COMBINED SCIENCE: Trilogy vs Separates

GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy

Many of our students study Combined Science.  The course is AQA Combined Science: Trilogy.  They will study the three separate subjects. Biology, Chemistry and Physics and will be taught by subject specialists. Examinations are at the end of year 11 and take the form of two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics papers.  Each paper is 1 hour 15 minutes long.  The marks are added together to produce two grades for Combined Science. Students can still access AS and A2 courses from Combined Science.

Separate Sciences

Up to two sets in year 11 study the AQA Separate Science courses.  Students who study separate science must study all three Science subjects; there is not the option to study two of the three.  Separate sciences each have more higher level content in some areas and more required practical elements.

Examinations are at the end of year 11 and take the form of two biology, two chemistry and two physics papers.  Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes long.  The results are reported as separate grades for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

GCSE Required Practical Activities

Controlled assessment has been replaced with a set of required practical activities.

Students need to complete 8 practicals for Biology, Chemistry and Physics and 16 for Combined Science: Trilogy.

Students will then be assessed on their practical skills in their exams with at least 15% of the marks coming from questions related to practicals that they have completed in class.

Further information regarding our curriculum is available from:

Mrs Suzie Harrison – Director of STEM/Assistant Headteacher

Miss R Edwards (Biology)

Dr E Meredith (Chemistry)

 

Details of extracurricular activities

We run a Science club and an eco-club that all students are welcome to attend. As a newly designated STEM school we have lots of plans to involve students in all things Science, Technology, Maths and Creative technologies –  watch this space! We will be running ‘Future Fridays’ where up todate live broadcasts will be delivered to all at lunchtime by a number of different people in exciting scientific , technological and creative fields.

Our ECO club works alongside a waste management company to ensure whole school recycling and plastic use is at the forefront of everyones’ minds.

 We are also a designated Smallpeice school so we offer a number of specialised STEM days for different year groups supported by them – all promoting scientific careers.  

 Some of our students enjoyed growing rocket seeds and met Tim Peake. Many of our students have enjoy visits to the Big Bang Fair, GCSE Science live and A-level Science live. Our sixth form students are offered an number of wider opportunities to get involved. They can become Science Ambassadors and mentors in school. With our support studenbts can be awarded Nuffield research placements, hospital placements and other trips to  universities and industries.

Team Science run master classes for Year 11 students but also provide a drop in every Wednesday for any student who wants help or advice.

Year 9 at the Big Bang Fair

Year 7 practical work

Science club

A-level practical

 

Useful links

On student desktops – Focus-e learning – help for all GCSE and KS3 Science

Websites and other support

https://www.samlearning.com/

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse        

http://www.my-gcsescience.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education

http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse

https://phet.colorado.edu/

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/

 

St Hilda’s College

A Level Biology

Introduction including full details of specification

 

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 12

Biological molecules Cell Structure and Division

Cell Membranes

Cells and the Immune System

Require practical 1, 2, 3 and 4

Immune system

Exchange and Transport Systems

DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis

Diversity and Selection

Statistics

Required practical 5 and 6

Diversity and Classification

AS examinations

Year 13

Photosynthesis and respiration

Energy transfer and nutrient cycles

Stimulus and response

Nervous coordination

Homeostasis

Essay

Required practical 7, 8, 9 and 10

Muscles

Genetics

Population and evolution

Population and

Mutations and gene expression

More essays

Required practical 11 and 12

Genome projects and genome technologies

A Level examinations

Detailed specification is available at http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/biology-7401-7402

Textbooks used:

CGP A Level Year 1  and 2 (AQA) – provided by the school

CGP Head Start to A Level Biology (Bridging the gap between GCSE and A Level) – available to order (usually £2.50).

Further reading/resources:

https://library.cgpbooks.co.uk/ (further resources online resources to support course)

http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/biology/AQA-7401-7402-PHBK.PDF

http://www.bozemanscience.com/biology-main-page

https://alevelbiology.co.uk/revision/ (resources provided by the school subscription)

https://pbiol.rsb.org.uk/

https://www.saps.org.uk/secondary/teaching-resources

 

A Level Chemistry

Introduction including full details of specification

 

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 12

Atomic structure

Amount of substance

Introduction to organic chemistry

Bonding

Energetics

Kinetics

Alkanes

Halogenoalkanes

Alkenes

Chemical equilibria

Oxidation, reduction and redox equations

Periodicity

Group 2, the alkaline earth metals

Group 7(17), the halogens

Alcohols

Organic analysis

Year 13

Thermodynamics

Rate Equations

Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells

Transition metals  Reactions of ions in aqueous solution Optical isomerism

Aldehydes and ketones

Carboxylic acids and derivatives  

Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems

Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides

Acids and bases

Aromatic chemistry

Amines

Polymers

Nuclear magnetic resonance

Amino acids, proteins and DNA

Organic synthesis

spectroscopy

Chromatography

Detailed specification is available at http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/chemistry-7404-7405

Textbooks used:

Collins AQA A-level Science – AQA A-level Chemistry Year 1 Student book

Collins AQA A-level Science – AQA A-level Chemistry Year 2 Student book

CGP A-Level Chemistry Year 1 and 2

Further reading/resources:

chemrevise.org

chemguide.co.uk

rsc.org

 

A Level Physics

Introduction including full details of specification

 

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 12

Foundations of Physics

Motion

Forces in Action

Charge and Current

Energy, Power and Resistance

Electrical Circuits

Work, Energy and Power

Materials

Waves

Laws of Motion and Momentum

Quantum Physics

Year 13

Thermal Physics

Ideal Gases

Circular Motion

Oscillations

Electric and Magnetic Fields

Gravitational Fields

Capacitance

Particle Physics

Radioactivity

Nuclear Physics

Medical Imaging

Cosmology

Stars

Detailed specification is available at http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce-physics-a-h156-h556-from-2015/

Textbooks used:

A-level Physics for OCR: Oxford

Further reading/resources:

http://www.antonine-education.co.uk/

http://tap.iop.org/

https://phet.colorado.edu/

http://www.practicalphysics.org/

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/

Advanced Physics for You textbook

 

 

Where can BIOLOGY take you?

BIOLOGY

 

Where can CHEMISTRY take you?

CHEMISTRY

 

Where can PHYSICS take you?

PHYSICS