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Curriculum Overview

Curriculum Intent

Subjects

Homework

Progress and Attainment

Year 9 Options

Learning Support

School Library

Exams and Revision

GCSE Results

A Level Results

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School Trips

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Jack Petchey Foundation

Science

Introduction

Our aim is to create engaging lessons that promote teaching for understanding by using the “big ideas” in science. As scientists, we want our boys to love and develop a deep understanding of the world around them by thinking analytically.

The skills they develop over the years will help them grow into confident and independent learners. Alongside scientific enquiry and practical work, they will explore the links across the three specialist subject areas in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics using the scientific concepts from the big ideas. Practical work is at the heart of the curriculum from years 7 to 13 because we know that it will support and consolidate learning.

Science Curriculum Map

Science at Key Stage 3

All students at Key Stage 3 will have four lessons a week and cover the National Curriculum, with the ten big ideas in science being central to the program of study. The ten big ideas in science include Forces, Electromagnetism, Energy, Waves, Matter, Reactions, Earth, Organisms, Ecosystems and Genes. Assessment will take place throughout the year through practical work, discussions in class and work produced in and out of the classroom.

Pupils will also complete formal assessments including topic tests and end-of-term assessments to help track and monitor progress. The development of practical skills and scientific vocabulary is vital to building a strong foundation for GCSE.

Science homework is set once a week and provides the opportunity for students to engage with what they are learning. The aim of homework is to be able to use the knowledge acquired in class to be creative and solve problems.

Science at Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, we follow the AQA syllabus and offer two pathways called GCSE Combined Science trilogy (awarded two GCSEs) with five lessons a week and, GCSE Triple Science (awarded three GCSEs) with six lessons a week.

Both courses cover all three subject areas with specialist teachers and provide excellent preparation to study sciences at A Level and other subjects. The Triple Science course covers the same topics as Combined Science but has additional material on the specification, allowing the subject to be covered in greater depth.

Both pathways will start with the core concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Over the course of two years, the aim is to develop skills to help pupils master their knowledge, understanding and practical enquiry skills. A wide range of required practicals are carried out by the pupils help to support and enhance the lessons. We know that many jobs and career pathways require an understanding of science and encourage pupils to appreciate the importance of this subject.

AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Specification

AQA GCSE Biology Specification

AQA GCSE Chemistry Specification

AQA GCSE Physics Specification

Science at Key Stage 5

At Key Stage 5, students can study Biology, Chemistry and Physics A Levels.

The A Level Biology course covers topics from Biotechnology to Biodiversity and allows students to develop practical skills alongside essential knowledge and understanding of a range of biological concepts and scientific methods.

OCR A Level Biology Specification

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties and change of the matter which makes up our world. The A Level Chemistry course is a practical subject and gives students many opportunities to develop the fundamental skills needed to collect and analyse empirical data.

OCR A Level Chemistry Specification

A Level Physics is a key part of science and technology and appeals to those students who want to understand the world around them. The A Level Physics course builds on students’ knowledge of the laws of physics and applies their understanding to solve problems on topics ranging from subatomic particles to the entire universe.

OCR A Level Physics Specification

Enrichment

The Science department organises trips and visits in support of the curriculum, including lectures at Imperial College London, careers events and STEM projects with Sydenham School.

Previous trips include visits to CERN in Geneva, Switzerland and the Juniper Hall Field Studies Centre next to Box Hill in Surrey.