Science

KEY STAGE 3 SCIENCE

At Key Stage 3, we seek to provide a lively and engaging Science programme, which will facilitate the development of youngsters’ interest, curiosity, scientific knowledge and skills.

We aim to do more than simply follow National Curriculum guidelines.  Our Course has been carefully tailored to the needs of our students and is constantly updated to keep it fresh, demanding and stimulating.  Students are introduced to investigations that progressively extend their scientific thinking and practical expertise.  The introduction of theoretical concepts and ideas provides a firm basis for the Key Stage 4 work that follows.

Students can expect to be taught Science by 1 or 2 teachers in Years 7 and 8 and by separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics specialists in Year 9.

SCIENCE AT KEY STAGE 4

Key Stage 4 begins in Year 9. Science is taught by subject specialists in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our aim is to provide students with an enjoyable course that will extend their scientific knowledge and skills. Students will learn new techniques, use more advanced apparatus and understand increasingly complex models and theories.

During Year 9, students follow Unit 1 and part of Unit 2 of the OCR Gateway B Science course. Students will be given the choice of two paths to follow from Year 10. They may choose to follow the Double Science path, which will allow them to obtain two GCSEs in Science; namely Science and Additional Science.

Alternatively, they may opt to follow the Triple Science path, using one of their option choices. This will allow them to obtain three GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Triple Science provides an excellent basis for further study of separate sciences at A level. Science GCSEs are assessed via written examinations and coursework.

SCIENCE AT AS AND A2 LEVELS

 

BIOLOGY

A study of Biology at AS and A2 levels enables students to acquire a body of systematic knowledge and an appreciation of its significance. It is a subject that provides most students with great enjoyment and respect for all things living.

The AS and A2 courses extend many of the topics already studied and introduce some of the exciting areas of Biology relevant to the contemporary world. Students may study, for example, the influence that genes may have on development, topical environmental issues and aspects of human health. Biology is a practical science so students also need to develop experimental skills and an appreciation of scientific method.

We hope that our sixth form Biology courses will help students to gain a better understanding of the dynamic and exciting nature of Biology today, and an awareness of the ethical, technological and economic aspects of the subject.

Assessment of the AS and A2 Biology courses is by examination and coursework.

CHEMISTRY

In contrast to the traditional topic-based approach, Salters’ Chemistry is context-led. Chemical concepts are introduced within a relevant context, the course being written as a series of modules based on contemporary issues in chemistry. Students study the chemistry in a spiral way so that chemical ideas, introduced in an early topic, are reinforced later. The drip-feed approach to teaching and learning chemical principles allows students to revisit a particular topic several times during the course, each time taking their knowledge and understanding a step further.

Each assessment unit contains a variety of chemical ideas, forming the basis for the specification. As the candidates have been accustomed to learning their chemistry in context, the examination questions are also set in context.

Assessment is by examinations taken in January and June of each year. In addition lower-sixth students complete a small number of assessed practical tasks. Upper-sixth students undertake an extensive individual investigation into an aspect of quantitative chemistry which they have studied. The investigation involves up to 18 hours of independent laboratory work over about three weeks, followed by analysis and evaluation of their data, and culminates in the production of a written report.