Staff

Ms Z Haines – BSc Hons
Curriculum Area Leader for Science

Mrs L Harris BA Hons
Second in Science
Chemistry

Mr J Sidhu –  BSc Hons
PHSE and Academic Lead – Yr 11
Biology

Mr R Willett – BSc Hons
Chemistry

Dr C Barnfield
Science

Miss R Sturdy
Science

Mrs J Harris
Science

Programme of Study, Key Stage 3

Students at KS3 will be assessed throughout the year with formal exam questions and ‘How Science Works’ investigation to ascertain the grade at which they are working and how they have improved during their studies. The topics they cover are listed under the separate year group headings.

Year 7 Science Topics:

In Year 7 students look at topics covering the full range of sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics in an interesting way which links these subjects with day to day life.
Areas covered are:-

Working In A Lab

Cells, Reproduction and Photosynthesis

Electricity and Energy Resources

Particles and Reactions

Earth’s Geology

Forces and Speed

Year 8 Science Topics:

In Year 8 students continue their studies from Year 7 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The topics still link the subjects with day to day life and areas covered are:-

Atoms and Elements

Health and Disease

Environment and the Universe

Waves and Energy

Chemical Reactions

Food and Digestion

Programme of Study for Key Stage 4 (for the current year 9, 10 and 11)

At Key Stage 4 Science can be studied in 2 ways depending on how deeply students wish to pursue the subject at 16+. All pupils will follow AQA specifications.

Pupils take their options in Year 8.

Pupils in Year 9 will start the KS4 AQA Specification. Pupils will have opted for either Triple Award Science or Combined Science.

There are two Options:

1) Triple Award = Separate Sciences, GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics.

Therefore pupils will be awarded 3 GCSEs grades 9 to 1.

2) Combined Science “Trilogy” = this double award is equivalent to two GCSEs. Pupils will study some Biology, some Chemistry and some Physics. Pupils will then be awarded Two GCSEs grades 9 to 1.

Total – 6 lessons each week (2 Biology, 2 Chemistry and 2 Physics).

Triple Award

This is great preparation for those pupils wanting to study any science at AS and A level. Pupils will cover more content than GCSE Combined Sciences.

Pupils need to be working at a Grade 4 or above.

Each week pupils will have lessons of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These will be taught by specialist teachers. Lessons will cover the new AQA specification and will cover subject content supported by integrated practical work.

At the end of Year 11 pupils sit 2 Biology papers, 2 Chemistry papers and 2 Physics Papers. Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes long. Pupils can sit foundation or higher tier. Each paper is 100 marks. All papers will assess Knowledge and understanding as well as scientific ability.

Pupils will be awarded 3 grades 9 to 1

Biology Content

  • Cell Biology
  • Organisation
  • Infection and response
  • Bioenergetics
  • Homeostasis and response
  • Inheritance, variation and evolution

Chemistry Content

  • Atomic structure and the periodic table
  • Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
  • Quantitative chemistry
  • Chemical changes
  • Energy Changes
  • The rate and extent of chemical change
  • Organic chemistry
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Chemistry of the Atmosphere
  • Using resources.

Physics Content

  • Forces
  • Energy
  • Waves
  • Electricity
  • Magnetism and electromagnetism
  • Particle model of matter
  • Atomic structure
  • Space physics

Combined Science

This double award is equivalent to two GCSEs similar to the current core and additional science which many families are familiar with.

Each week pupils will have 2 lessons of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These will be taught by specialist teachers. Lessons will cover the new AQA specification and will cover subject content supported by integrated practical work.

At the end of Year 11 pupils sit 2 Biology papers, 2 Chemistry papers and 2 Physics Papers. Each paper is 1 hour 15 minutes long. Pupils can sit foundation or higher tier. All papers will assess Knowledge and understanding as well as scientific ability.

Each paper is worth 70 marks with a range of questions including questions accessible to the lowest ability students.

Pupils will be awarded 2 grades 9 to 1 e.g. 9-9, 9-8 through to 2-1,1-1.

Biology Content

  • Cell Biology
  • Organisation
  • Infection and response
  • Bioenergetics
  • Homeostasis and response
  • Inheritance, variation and evolution
  • Ecology.

Chemistry Content

  • Atomic structure and the periodic table
  • Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
  • Quantitative chemistry
  • Chemical changes
  • Energy Changes
  • The rate and extent of chemical change
  • Organic chemistry
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Chemistry of the Atmosphere
  • Using resources.

Physics Content

  • Forces
  • Energy
  • Waves
  • Electricity
  • Magnetism and electromagnetism
  • Particle model of matter
  • Atomic structure

Further information is available at:
www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464