Science
| Staff Members |
Ms N Beer, Miss S Clarke, Mrs S Clement-Smith, Miss M Flatt, Ms K Lench (trainee), Mr S Kidby, Mrs K King, Miss A Macdonald, Mr J Northcott, Mrs E Perry and Mrs N Shingleton Science Technicians - Mrs J Baker, Mrs R Simmons |
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Science Head of Faculty: Mr J Horn |
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| Prior Learning |
At KS1 and 2 the aim was for students to:
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| Key Stage 3 |
The KS3 course is designed to maintain the sense of awe and wonder that pupils develop in KS2 Science and build up the knowledge base that they will need for KS4 while ensuring the skill set of a scientist is being put in place. We follow the National Curriculum guidance for the program of study but have written bespoke, differentiated units and assessments that we feel best give this preparation. The department believe very strongly in learning by experimentation and pupils are given many opportunities to discover the scientific method as they progress through KS3.
Units covered in year 7 are: Unit A - Why are we the way we are? Unit C - What are atoms and how do they behave? Unit E - What forces are in the universe? Unit D - How do acids break down rocks? Unit B - How have living things changed? Unit F - Why is energy so important? Unit G - Why is the Earth changing?
There are also several units purely focused on practical scientific skills and time given to revision on knowledge already gained.
Units covered in year 8 are: Unit A - How is energy made and used in living things? Unit E - Why do we see lightning before hearing thunder? Unit C - What's the difference between elements, compounds and mixtures? Unit B - How should I look after myself? Unit F - How can we make levitating trains? Unit D - Where do metals come from? Unit G - How can I build an eco-friendly house?
Assessment at Key Stage Three Formative assessment is through many low stakes quizzes in class and one or two longer answer questions each half term which are marked and feedback provided to the group. We also use summative end of unit assessments which test key knowledge and practical skills. Levels for reporting are gained only through the larger assessments that will be done during the two knowledge weeks each year. These bigger assessments will again focus on key knowledge and begin to test their ability to apply this information.
Pupils have access to Seneca Learning, an online resource for KS3 and 4 that aids recall and understanding.
Science Long Term Plans - Year 7 |
| Key Stage 4 |
Students are entered for either GCSE combined Science Trilogy (8464) or for the separate (triple) Science GCSEs: Biology (8461), Chemistry (8462) and Physics (8463)
All students will receive a wide ranging education across the three disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics with the opportunities to develop scientific explanations and theories and link scientific ideas to their lives and the implications for society.
Practical work is at the heart of Science teaching at Hadleigh.
All pupils at Hadleigh will take a Science qualification. Most of the cohort will take the Double award GCSE (often called Combined Science) which will give them two GCSE qualifications with an identical or similar grade. The cohort will be split into Foundation and Higher tier entries.
Selected pupils will take the Triple Science course at higher level, this is more suited to those with a greater aptitude for science and who could be looking to pursue science subjects in higher education. These pupils will receive three GCSE qualifications. Triple will usually be entered at Higher tier.
Triple Science pupils will have the opportunity to study in greater depth to broaden their understanding of Science further and to better prepare them for A level. This is now taken as an option so combines the core science time with option time to aid this deeper engagement with Science.
The decision as to level of entry and course is initially taken as part of the options process in year 9. Pupils will have settled into the course and we will have a clearer idea of ability at GCSE by this time to make our recommendations. It is worth noting that we try and top load these courses to give every student the chance at maximising their potential. As the course progresses into year 11 the recommendation as to final course and tier of entry may change.
As we are a tiered subject those taking a foundation level can achieve a maximum of a grade 5 and those taking a higher tier course a minimum of a grade 3-4. If we feel that a higher tier pupil is at risk of falling below this threshold then we will swap them to a foundation tier entry.
All examinations are now at the end of year 11. For all pupils there will be 6 papers, two each in Biology, Chemistry and Physics made up of a mixture of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response.
Those taking triple science will have longer papers. There is no longer a coursework element as practical skills are assessed in the papers.
During the course pupils will be assessed in the same manner as KS3 with regular low stakes in class quizzing, longer answer questions, end of unit practice tests and finally in the two GCSE mocks. This will help pupils to prepare for the terminal nature of the final GCSE exam.
Course content:
Year 9:
Year 10:
Year 11:
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Useful websites and resources |
Biology: https://padlet.com/mflatt2/4sgkavmz6pduetwd Chemistry: https://padlet.com/nshingleton/xkpk6ye8ndvd8k0e Physics: https://padlet.com/jhorn47/jfhuh9uvif48e4ak
AQA Science: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/science-8464/specification
Seneca Learning:
BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zrkw2hv
Required practical videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-TM-z1-tmX1iK_H4SxVhww/videos
Primrose Kitten – useful summary and revision videos: https://www.primrosekitten.com/pages/aqa-biology-gcse-revision-for-combined-and-separate-science |
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Possible areas of future Studies |
A Level Biology A Level Chemistry A Level Physics
The three science subjects are known as ‘facilitating’ subjects and allow entry to the widest range of A-Level and then university courses even if they don’t seem very related to science. This is because of the skills that you learn when you take the course. |
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Possible future careers |
Science promotes the skills of data analysis, model usage, evaluation, information retention and applied mathematics that are respected across disciplines by employers. Future careers include (but please check Unifrog for a more comprehensive list):
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