Science
Students follow the national curriculum covering a broad range of scientific concepts, through the three specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. The study of Science supports students to adopt a critical, questioning frame of mind in order to understand the workings of Science and how it shapes their lives.
For the first two years of KS3, all sets follow the ‘Smart Science two year programme of study which is compliant with the new KS3 Science National Curriculum.
Students who are able to complete this programme within the two year plan are then able to move onto the KS4 AQA Entry Level Science qualification in Year 9, with the aim of them progressing onto the single combined Science GCSE or Double award combined Science (two GCSEs) by Year 11.
These courses allow students to study science and gain a national recognised qualification at a level appropriate to their ability. Through the programmes they develop curiosity about the natural world and gain an insight into how science works and its relevance to their everyday lives.
Students are grouped according to ability into sets. For the first two years of KS3, all sets follow the ‘Smart Science two year programme of study which is compliant with the new KS3 Science National Curriculum.
Students who are able to complete this programme within the two year plan are then able to move onto the KS4 AQA Entry Level Science qualification in Year 9, with the aim of them progressing onto the single combined Science GCSE or Double award combined Science (two GCSEs) by Year 11.
Sets which need more time to consolidate a greater understanding of the KS3 programme, continue with the topics until the end of year 9 and will start an AQA Entry Level Science in year 10, these students will have the full two years to complete this programme at KS4.
Students on the Smart Science course have regular end of topic tests and are given a clear understanding of how to progress through to a higher level of science application. Topics covered include: The Skeleton, The Nature of Particles, States of Matter, Motion and Forces, Space Physics, Genetics and Inheritance and Energy Transfer.
US1
Autumn
Parts of the body & senses
Plants
Materials
Acids and alkalis
Spring
Electricity
Forces and motion
Variation & food chains
Summer
Cells
Experiments
End of year assessment
US2
Autumn
Living systems
The particulate nature of matter
Forces and motion
Spring
Diet and health
Atoms, elements and compounds
Levers, moments and pressure
Summer
Genetics and evolution
Reactions
Electricity and electro-magnetism
US3 (Modified Curriculum)
Autumn
Body & senses, heart & circulation, lungs
Spring
Changing materials, separating materials
Summer
Light & sound
Rock and weathering
US4
Autumn
Photosynthesis, respiration and circulation
Acids and alkalis
Energy
Spring
Reproduction and growth
Materials and everyday chemistry
Waves
Summer
Ecosystems
The Earth and atmosphere
Space