Science Teaching Staff Mr D Dodd – Curriculum Lead Mr R Carr -Deputy Curriculum Lead Mrs T Black –  Senior Technician Mr D Allard Mr V Fernandes Mr P Chatton Mr B Chibamba

Mrs L Goddard Mrs T Lambert Mr J McCarthy Mr O Nicolson Ms C Steele Mrs H Yarrow Mrs M Vasilkova- Technician

Science allows us to understand how the world around us works, and how we can make it a better place to meet the needs of society. It is the marrying of multiple disciplines into a simple investigative method that can be done by anyone regardless of age, gender or social status. Science has allowed us to feed growing populations, power whole continents and save lives. By using it, we can make informed decisions about the future of our planet and how best to manage our limited resources for the benefit of everyone.

There are hundreds of career options, directly in science-based employment, and many thousands of other jobs that rely upon good scientific knowledge and understanding.  Alongside English and Maths, Science is widely accepted as a standard core requirement for many further education courses, and many employers.

In science pupils work both as part of a team and independently, to complete many practical tasks and written tasks.  Pupils are guided to be able to voice their own opinions and observations, as well as listen (and refer to) to the opinions and observations of others.  Pupils develop their ability to apply scientific method to their work, and also the work of their peers.  As such pupils predict, test, record, conclude and evaluate their scientific investigations.

In Key stage 3 Pupils’ learning is arranged around 10 Big Ideas: forces, electromagnets, energy, waves, matter, reactions, earth, organisms, ecosystems, and genes. Each Big Idea is taught in two parts so that concepts can build upon one another as they progress through Key Stage 3. Students are assessed through quick quizzes at the end of every unit so their understanding of key concepts can be monitored.

At Key stage 4 students move through the AQA Combined Science: Trilogy course. They are taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics as separate modules. Learning continues to be monitored by quick quizzes.

In Year 11 Students complete the AQA Combined Science: Trilogy course. There is a greater emphasis on using exam style questions to prepare them for their exams that begin in May. Students will sit 6 papers in total (Papers 1 and 2 for Biology, Chemistry and Physics) that will lead to them achieving a combined double award grade for Science. This is graded at a 9-9 to a 4-3 for the higher tier paper or 5-5 to U for the foundation tier paper.

Students are set 1 piece of Science home learning a week. In Key Stage 3 this rotates through tasks focussed on numeracy, literacy, key vocabulary, research skills and revision. In Key Stage 4 the tasks will be focussed on exam style questions that relate to revision or the work students are currently completing in lessons.