Key Stage 3
The emphasis is placed on allowing pupils to seek answers to scientific problems via practical investigations. Great care is taken to develop the necessary skills for this. These include planning; designing and carrying out experiments; interpreting results; drawing conclusions; and communicating the findings clearly. In addition students begin to value the role of creativity, debate and discussion in the scientific community.
The course is designed to allow pupils to work at their own pace and provides many opportunities for study to a high academic level. All units studied during the first three years (Key Stage 3) fit within the broad categories of either Biology, Chemistry or Physics and students are expected to build up a body of knowledge and skills ready for the Standard Attainment Tests (SATS) at the end of Year 9.
GCSE
Science is about discovering why things happen and the mechanisms governing the natural world, as well as our interaction with it. It is a very important part of everyday life and because of this all students study Science at Key Stage 4. The topics covered emphasise scientific literacy by developing the knowledge and understanding which students need in order to become educated consumers of Science. The course is designed to enable students to:
- Recognise the impact of Science on everyday life
- Make informed decisions about issues which involve Science
- Understand and reflect on the Science reported in the media
The course contains elements of the three ‘traditional’ disciplines:
Biology – the study of living things and their interaction with their environment
Chemistry – the study of materials, their manufacture, their interaction and their use
Physics – the study of energy, forces and our place in the Universe
21 st Century Science
The College uses a suite of Science GCSE courses entitled 21 st Century Science. During Year 10 most students take the 21 st Century Core Science GCSE. This course is modular and leads to a single GCSE award by the end of the school year.
One of the elements of this course sees students complete a Case Study which is a report based on the detailed study of a debatable, and perhaps controversial, topic – for example; “Should all children be given the MMR vaccine?”, “Are we alone in the Universe?” or “Are mobile phones bad for our health?”.
Students following Core Science in Year 10 go on to either GCSE Additional Science or GCSE Additional Applied Science in the second Year of Key Stage 4. The decision over which of these is pursued is made according to aptitude, ability and past performance.
Alternative Courses in Year 10
There are two alternative Year 10 courses. For those following a more work-related course of study there is an Entry Level course available for study on a limited timetable. For those with proven ability in Science and an intention to continue to pursue this subject at ‘A’ Level and beyond the option to study Triple Science is available. This is the ‘traditional’ route whereby separate GCSE courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics are studied throughout Years 10 and 11. A total of 30% of timetable is spent in Science lessons on this course and it leads to 3 GCSEs.
Mr S J Romaine – Head of Science
