Science
We use a variety of teaching methods to ensure that students are fully engaged, actively involved and experience an enjoyable learning environment at all times. These include hands on practical work, active learning tasks, project work and model making.
Emphasis is placed on developing skills, such as team work and creativity right from the beginning of Year 7.
Key Stage 3
All students follow a programme of units that develop their knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics. Each unit contains a range of practical, written and discussion activities designed to develop understanding of scientific ideas and skills. Our Year 9 Science curriculum builds on the knowledge and skills gained during Years 7 and 8. Year 9 is a transition year covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics taught to GCSE standard. Each school term contains elements of each of the three sciences with an assessment test at the end of each section. The topics chosen, along with the assessments, give the faculty a good indication of each student’s suitability for either the Combined Science or Separate Science courses at KS4.
Key Stage 4: AQA GCSE
Year 10
Students begin their Key Stage 4 studies in Year 10. They begin to follow the AQA GCSE science course presented in separate units for biology, chemistry and physics. This allows students to focus on each subject individually. The GCSE science course is for learners of all abilities and prepares students for further studies in science. The students are assessed regularly with GCSE style tests to monitor their progress in line with KS4 expectations.
They will have either two or three specialist teachers depending on the route chosen. The Separate Science course covers extra units that are taught in Year 11 to gain an individual GCSE in biology, chemistry and physics. These courses provide a firm foundation for progression to A Level science where we offer the choice of all three science disciplines.
Years 10 & 11
As the students enter into Year 11 they continue with the second year of the GCSE course and the choice they have made determines the teaching during Year 10 and 11. They will have three specialist teachers, one in each of the sciences. The Separate Science course covers extra units that are taught in Year 11 to gain an individual GCSE in biology, chemistry and physics. These courses provide a firm foundation for progression to AS and A Level science where we offer the choice of all three science disciplines.
Key Stage 5
At A level, students will have the opportunity to study the following subjects:
OCR B Advancing Physics
The course covers the basis of how things work, from the constituent parts of atoms to the extent of the universe. Students learn to integrate the concepts studied with a range of practical experiments throughout each topic giving the course both an academic and practical focus.
OCR Chemistry A
Students are taught a content-led course covering physical, inorganic & organic chemistry along with analytical techniques. Teaching of practical skills is integrated with the theoretical topics and they’re assessed both through written papers.
Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)
A broad course covering human physiology, environmental ecology, disease and genetics. A variety of practical investigations and a field trip to investigate the impact of factors on our environment.
BTEC Health and Social Care
This course helps students to take their first steps towards a career caring for people and communities. Students will learn the essential skills needed to support the development of people with a wide range of needs, from babies and toddlers to adults and the elderly. They gain an understanding into the structure and organisation into the Health and Social Care sector and make links between education and the world of work in engaging, relevant and practical ways
Key Stage 4
New Level 2 BTEC Tech Award in Health and Social Care
Students will study human lifespan and development, health and social care services and values and health and wellbeing.
Key Stage 5
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate or Diploma in Health and Social Care
Students will study units from the following areas; human lifespan development, working in health & social care, meeting individual care and support needs, physiological conditions, safe practice, public health and they will carry out work experience in health and social care.
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