Science
We are very aware of the importance of science, perhaps more so now than ever before. We passionately believe that science is more than a body of knowledge to be imparted to our students. It is not static and is also a way of thinking. It is this scientific method that we encourage our students in all years to develop.
Through practical experiments, the Science Faculty’s first priority is to ensure that all our students receive dynamic, engaging lessons. We recognise that the key to success lies in unlocking the potential of the individual student and are guided by asking “How can we better support our students to achieve their very best?”
The Science Faculty comprises a highly motivated team of teachers who teach within their degree specialism, and our amazing technical staff who work together to provide enriched and memorable learning experiences for our students. By combining highly supportive leadership with a risk-taking approach to the design of innovative student-centred learning, we are working towards our vision of progressive science teaching.
| Year 7 | - Working scientifically - Energy, forces and space - Cells and Human body - Particles - Waves - Metals - Reproduction and evolution |
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| Year 8 | - Forces and Matter - Elements and Acids - Food and Health - Reactions and the Earth - Energy in Ecosystems - Electromagnetism |
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| Year 9 | - Key Concepts in Biology: microscopes, enzymes and transport - States of Matter, Separating and Purifying Substances - Conservation of Energy - Cells and Control - Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table - Bonding and Structure of compounds - Forces and motion - Chemical Calculations |
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| Year 10 Combined Science |
- Genetics - Structure of compounds - Waves and EM spectrum - Radioactivity - Natural selection - Acids and Alkalis - Work power - Health and disease - Electricity - Processes and Dynamic equilibria - Ecosystems and Ecology - Atmosphere |
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| Year 10 Triple Science Biology |
- Genetics - Natural Selection and GM - Health, disease and the development of medicines - Ecosystems and Ecology |
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| Year 10 Triple Science Chemistry |
- Bonding and Structure of compounds - Acids and Alkalis - Processes and dynamic equilibria - Metals - Quantitative analysis - Dynamic equilibria and Chemical and Fuel cells - Fuels |
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| Year 10 Triple Science Physics |
- Waves and EM spectrum - Radioactivity - Astronomy - Electricity and circuits |
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| Year 11 Combined Science |
- Homeostasis - Rates of reaction - Fuels - The Particle model - Groups of the Periodic Table - Forces and matter - Magnetism and electromagnetism - Transport in animals |
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| Year 11 Triple Science Biology |
- Ecosystems and Material cycles - Animal Coordination, Control and Homeostasis - Exchange and Transport in animals |
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| Year 11 Triple Science Chemistry |
- Fuels - Atmosphere - Hydrocarbons - Alcohol and Acids - Polymers - Qualitative Analysis: Test of Ions |
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| Year 11 Triple Science Physics |
- Forces and matter - Magnetism and the Motor effect - Electromagnetic induction |
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| Year 12 Biology |
- Biological molecules - Enzymes - DNA and protein synthesis - Cell cycle - Immune System - Digestion and absorption - Genetic diversity |
- Cells and membranes - Gas exchange - Mass transportation: Animals - Mass transportation: Plants - Species and taxonomy |
| Year 12 Chemistry |
- Atomic structure and periodicity - Amount of substance - Bonding - Energetics - Kinetics and equilibria |
- Introduction to organic chemistry - Reactions of organic compounds - Organic analysis - Redox and Inorganic - Optical Isomerism, Aldehydes and Ketones |
| Year 12 Physics |
- Particles - Quantum phenomena - Potential difference - Resistance - Resistivity - Circuits - EMF and internal resistance - Density - Materials - Circular Motion |
- Forces and statics - Motion and projectiles - Thermal velocity - Momentum - Work and energy - Refraction - Interference - Diffraction - Stationary Waves - Gravity |
| Year 13 Biology |
- Genes - Selection and Speciation - Gene expression - Gene cloning and transfer - Gene Technology |
- Bioenergetics - Cycles - Nerves - Muscles - Homeostasis |
| Year 13 Chemistry |
- Thermodynamics - Electrochemistry - Acids - Transition metals |
- Carboxylic acids - Synthesis and Biochemistry - Aromatic Chemistry - Organic analysis |
| Year 13 Physics |
- Simple harmonic motion - Thermal - Astrophysics |
- Electric fields - Magnetism - Radioactive decay - Nuclear energy |
The Science Faculty curriculum vision builds upon that of our whole school:
• To inspire our students with the awe and wonder inherent within our subject
• To develop practical science skills and questioning minds
• To develop scientific literacy and numeracy, and focus upon the development of its rich history
• To contextualise the relevance of topics to international, national and local events and labour markets.
Students study Combined Science at GCSE or can chose to study Triple Science as one of their options. Students learn the essential knowledge of Biology, Chemistry and Physics to help them understand the material world, which is so vital to the world’s future prosperity.
Biology – the life processes of plants and animals, how these organisms interact and have evolved over time,
Chemistry – the structure of atoms, how this links to their properties and reactions,
Physics – the fundamental concepts of energy and force to explain how objects interact and do what they do.
Students also develop methods of scientific enquiry including experimentally by completing practical work with a number of core practicals. The topics studied are shown below in an example of the order of study. For Combined Science the example shows two parallel paths taught by two teachers who will share the teaching of one of the subjects. For Triple Science, students have one teacher for each separate subject with additional material which provides a deeper and broader understanding. This is beneficial at A Level but not essential. Both courses have six exams at the end, two per subject that are slightly longer for Triple Science.
A Level Sciences take the knowledge and skills developed at GCSE and deepen and widen the focus to support the future study of sciences at degree level. Science subjects are an excellent study for opening doors for future careers and the relevance of science knowledge and understanding has never been so clear.
All science studies focus on the key knowledge of their subjects, but also include modern developments ins their studies. Examples of this would be epigenetics (Biology), fuel cells (Chemistry) and quantum phenomena (Physics). This way, students are engaged and inspired and many go on to choose a career in these areas.
We offer Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A Level. We have a strong focus on the development of practical skills and on developing opportunities for our students to learn outside the classroom. Our Year 12 physics students benefit from a trip to the CERN laboratories in February half term of each year.
