Science
Key Stage 3
Contact Teacher
Ms P. Klopper (Head of Science): pam.klopper@southfieldsacademy.com
Grouping/organisation/setting/teaching time:
Students are in mixed ability, well differentiated classes throughout Key Stage 3. Continuous assessment throughout takes place to monitor progression of attainment. Assessment also allows for extra support to be given where necessary. Teaching time: Year 7: 4 hours a week, Year 8: 3 hours per week.
Course Content/Skills Learnt:
Intro:
Pupils learn how knowledge and understanding in science are rooted in evidence. They discover how scientific ideas contribute to technological change- affecting industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. They trace the development of science worldwide and recognise its cultural significance. They learn to question and discuss issues that may affect their own lives, the directions of societies and the future of the world.
Key concepts
- Scientific thinking - Learning the use of scientific ideas and models to explain phenomena and developing them creatively to generate and test theories.
- Applications and implications of science - Exploring the ethical and moral implications of using and applying science as well as understanding that new technological developments have consequences in the way people think and behave.
- Cultural understanding - Recognising that modern science has its roots in many different cultures and societies.
- Collaboration - Sharing developments and common understanding across the curriculum.
Range and content
The study of science includes the following topics which are taught throughout Key Stage 3
- Energy, electricity and forces.
- Chemical and material behaviour.
- Organisms, behaviour and health.
Over the three years students will be developing essential skills which will enable them to learn and make good progress, these are:
- Practical and enquiry skills
- Critical understanding of evidence
- Communication
Assessment:
In Years 7 and 8 assessment is based on assessing pupils’ progress continually by completing assessed pieces of work for each topic. Understanding and knowledge is assessed by end of topic tests and end of year exam.
Books/other materials/useful websites to visit/field trips etc
Visit from Zoolab to the school for year 7 students.
Text books used are:
Eureka (Publishers: Heinemann)
Spotlight (Publishers: Stanley and Thornes)
Exploring science (Publishers: Longman)
Homework
Is set once a week, and is usually based on research or consolidation of class work.
How parents can help
Parents can help by ensuring homework is checked for completion and that your child revises science on a weekly basis using a Key Stage 3 revision guide which can be purchased from any good bookshop or from the school at a subsidised price.
Key Stage 4
Year 9
Triple Science
WHY DO TRIPLE SCIENCE?
A career in science can take you all over the world and to discover and create new ideas or technology that can have lasting impact, save lives or contribute to solving todays big global issues such as; creating efficient renewable energy options; growing enough food for a growing population; reversing, or at least slowing, global warming.
For those keen on pursuing a career in the sciences, such as various types of engineering, medicine, professional science and pharmacology as well as many more, then triple science is the choice for you. You achieve an extra GCSE in science as well as being much better prepared for science A-levels in the future.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
You will go into more depth on many of the topics covered in the combined science course as well as touch upon aspects of the A-level course. You will also further develop the science skills that are transferable no matter what your future career is. Skills like modelling, explaining ideas clearly and concisely, evaluating the way you go about things and making changes to improve and applying mathematics to real world situations.
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?
Mainly through examination with a small percentage of the course assessed through practical coursework.
WHAT NEXT?
Good results in the three sciences as well as English and Maths will enable you to complete any, or all, of the science A-levels:
- Biology: discover more about the processes of the human body, how the body is affected by disease and how we aim to combat these illnesses. Delve deeper into understanding the biodiversity of our environment and the fascinating species that live within it.
- Chemistry: you will learn about the molecular structures that underpin modern medicine and cell function. This course is based on using refined practical skills to understand the useful compounds we use throughout our lives.
- Physics: discover the non-intuitive world of quantum mechanics and particle physics as well as gain an understanding of the innovations in physics that have led to the atomic bomb, renewable energy, and the electric grid that powers our quantum mechanical devices (such as phones and laptops).
With slightly lower grades you can do the BTEC Level 3 National in Applied Science where aspects of the three sciences are taught through a vocational setting. All these routes are useful for university applications and courses.
Combined Science
WHY IS SCIENCE IMPORTANT?
Science is all about finding and explaining patterns. This develops both language and mathematics skills as well as a host of other transferable skills that are useful in all walks of like; skills such as analysing data, modelling ideas, explaining ideas clearly and concisely, applying mathematics and evaluating your ideas and actions in an effective way.
Through mastery of the above skills and developing science knowledge innovators have been able to change the world we lived in 100 years ago into something unrecognisable. Science has led to the creation of mobile phones, putting a man on the moon and changes to health care that mean people are living longer now on average than ever before.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
These courses provide pupils with a basic understanding of the big ideas of the three sciences (biology, chemistry and physics) and how they relate to their everyday lives. The courses are also designed to improve practical techniques and an appreciation for the scientific method that has led to the innovations of the 21st Century.
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?
Mainly through examination with a small percentage of the course assessed through practical coursework.
WHAT NEXT?
Good results in the three sciences as well as English and Maths will enable you to complete any, or all, of the science A-levels:
- Biology: discover more about the processes of the human body, how the body is affected by disease and how we aim to combat these illnesses. Delve deeper into understanding the biodiversity of our environment and the fascinating species that live within it.
- Chemistry: you will learn about the molecular structures that underpin modern medicine and cell function. This course is based on using refined practical skills to understand the useful compounds we use throughout our lives.
- Physics: discover the non-intuitive world of quantum mechanics and particle physics as well as gain an understanding of the innovations in physics that have led to the atomic bomb, renewable energy, and the electric grid that powers our quantum mechanical devices (such as phones and laptops).
With slightly lower grades you can do the BTEC Level 3 National in Applied Science where aspects of the three sciences are taught through a vocational setting. All these routes are useful for university applications and courses.
Years 10 & 11
Biology
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
B1 – How Organisms Work; Environment and Evolution.
B2 – Growing and Using Our Food; Understanding how Organisms Function.
B3 – Biological Systems: Humans and the Environment.
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?
75% from examinations and 25% controlled internal assessments (SA).
WHAT NEXT?
If you achieve a minimum B grade as well as B in English, you can go on to complete A level Biology
On the Biology A level course you will discover more about the processes of the human body, how the body is affected by disease and how we aim to combat these illnesses. Delve deeper into understanding the biodiversity of our environment and the fascinating species that live within it.
With lower grades you can do the BTEC Level 3 National in Applied Science.
Both routes are useful for university applications and courses.
Chemistry
WHAT AND HOW WILL YOU LEARN?
You will learn the main academic theories of the three science and how to apply the knowledge gained in different scenarios.
These topics include:
- C1 – The Earth (rocks, fuel and metals); Oils and the Atmosphere (alkanes, global warming)
- C2 – The Building Blocks of Chemistry (Atoms, bonding, Masses of Atoms); Rates, Salts and Electrolysis
- C3 - Looking for Patterns (periodicity and energy from reactions); Analysis, Ammonia and Organic Compounds
In separate sciences (chemistry, biology and physics) the content taught will better prepare you for the A level separate sciences.
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?
75% from examinations and 25% controlled internal assessments (ISA).
WHAT NEXT?
If you achieve a minimum B grade as well as B in mathematics, you can go on to complete A Level in Chemistry.
On the Chemistry A-level course you will learn about the molecular structures that underpin modern medicine and cell function. This course is based on using refined practical skills to understand the useful compounds we use throughout our lives.
With lower grades you can do the BTEC Level 3 National in Applied Science.
Both routes are useful for university applications and courses.
Core and Additional Science
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
Core
- B1 – How Organisms Work; Environment and Evolution
- C1 – The Earth Provides; Oils Earth and Atmosphere
- P1 – Energy; Waves and the Universe
Additional
- B2 – Growing and Using our Food; Understanding How Organisms Work
- C2 – The Building Blocks of Chemistry; Rates, Salts and Electrolysis
- P2 – Forces and Motion; Electricity, Radiation, Atoms and the Stars
These courses provide pupils with a basic understanding of the big ideas of science and how they relate to their everyday lives. The courses are also designed to improve practical techniques and an appreciation for the scientific method that has led to the innovations of the 21st Century.
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?
75% from examinations at the end of year 11 and 25% controlled internal assessments (ISA).
WHAT NEXT?
If you achieve a minimum B grade as well as Bs in mathematics and English, you can go on to complete ‘A’ Levels in biology, chemistry or physics.
- Biology: discover more about the processes of the human body, how the body is affected by disease and how we aim to combat these illnesses. Delve deeper into understanding the biodiversity of our environment and the fascinating species that live within it.
- Chemistry: you will learn about the molecular structures that underpin modern medicine and cell function. This course is based on using refined practical skills to understand the useful compounds we use throughout our lives.
- Physics: discover the non-intuitive world of quantum mechanics and particle physics as well as gain an understanding of the innovations in physics that have led to the atomic bomb, renewable energy, and the electric grid that powers our quantum mechanical devices (such as phones and laptops).
With lower grades you can do the BTEC Level 3 National in Applied Science where aspects of the three sciences are taught through a vocational setting. All these routes are useful for university applications and careers.
Key Stage 5
Find out more about our sixth form courses.