Science
vision & aims
The science department is committed to delivering high quality inclusive teaching and learning. Our curriculum is carefully designed so all learners are enthused and motivated to learn more about the world around them whilst ensuring that learners are prepared for their future endeavours; whether that being in the form of exams and a career in STEM or simply able to access the natural world that exists around them.
Our 5 year curriculum is meticulously planned in order to ensure that fundamental understanding is built upon carefully as students progress through the school, identifying gaps in knowledge and challenging misconceptions along the way. As well as strong scientific understanding students are encouraged to engage in problem solving skills, resilience and independence that support students across the curriculum and in their future lives.
We have high aspirations for all of our learners and strive to ensure that every child reaches if not exceeds their targets and reaches their potential. Students are formally and informally assessed to help inform student and teacher of each child's progress and then engage in reflection and intervention to ensure gaps are closed.
The entire Science team is committed to providing as many hands-on experiences as we can. We are supported by an excellent preparation room which is fully equipped with new resources to enable students wherever possible to gain experience of working as a Scientist and practising their scientific practical skills. This also helps all learners with their scientific understanding by providing concrete experiences which embeds knowledge. Chromebooks and similar devices are used frequently in the science classroom to support learning. They are used in a variety of ways to assess, research, reflect and organise their classwork but also provide autonomy and independence for students to allow them to take ownership of their learning and find answers to questions themselves.
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KS3 In year 7 and year 8 students engage in a broad curriculum that values scientific knowledge and skills in equal measure. The curriculum is designed in order for students to gain concrete understanding of the fundamental concepts of our universe, building from their prior knowledge from primary school, whilst also enabling students to experience a sense of awe and wonder and an ability to access ideas about the world around them. The curriculum is scaffolded in order to support all learners so they are able to access even the most abstract of concepts and to begin to develop skills as they work in the laboratory as scientists. Year 7 - Cells, Plant Life, Natural World, Human Reproduction, Particles, Separating mixture, Acids and Alkalis, Energy, Electricity, Forces, Space Year 8 - Human body, Gas Exchange, Respiration, Genetics, Periodic Table, Chemical Reactions, Reactivity, Earth and Atmosphere, Waved, Mechanics, Energy Costs, Magnetism |
KS4Students will build upon the fundamental concepts and skills that have been studied and refined during KS3. Most students will follow AQA combined science trilogy which is composed of all three disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics which will lead to two GCSEs.Selected students will be invited to study separate science leading to three GCSEs in each discipline. All students will begin their GCSE course in year 9 by studying topics that are common to both courses. In year 10 and 11 students studying separate science will cover the additional content required. This will take place during usual science lessons and will not impact upon other subject pathways. |
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Year 9 |
Cell biology, Organisation, Infection & Response, Bioenergetics Atomic Structure, Bonding, Quantitative Chemistry Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter |
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Year 10 |
Homeostasis, Inheritance, Variation & Evolution Chemical changes, Energy Changes, Rates of Reaction, Organic Chemistry Radioactivity, Forces & Motion, Waves |
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Year 11 |
Ecosystems Chemical Analysis, Chemistry of the Atmosphere, Using resources Magnets & Electromagnets, Space (Separate Science only) |
Extra Curricular and tripsThe science team is committed to provide a multitude of extra curricular STEM opportunities. All students engage in some form of STEM enrichment and information on STEM careers which continue to be in high demand by employers across all sectors. |
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Clubs |
STEM Club Stretch and Challenge Tutoring (invitation only) STEM Leaders Group |
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Events & Trips |
Year 7 Winchester Planetarium STEM Careers Fair British Science Week - March Life Lab in association with the University of Southampton and Southampton General Hospital |
Resources |
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Apps & Useful Websites |
BBC Bitesize AQA |