Science

How are students assessed?

During each topic students will be assessed using an in class Science Skills Assessment known as an APP (Assessing Pupils Progress) Task.  These tasks assess the student’s ability ability in 5 key skills.  These are:-

Scientific modelling, Applications and Implications of Science, Planning Investigations, Presenting Data and Analysis and Evaluation. 

At the end of each topic students are also assessed through an end of topic test.

At the end of the year students in Year 7 and Year 8 will complete a Science test based around the topics they have studied that year.

In Year 9 student will sit an end of Key Stage assessment this usually takes place at the end of February.  The Year 9 students will also have an internal GCSE Science mock at the end of Year 9 where they are assessed on the first GCSE topics that they are taught from March. 

These topics include: - Communicable Diseases (Biology), Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table (Chemistry) and Particles of Matter (Physics).

Key Stage 4

What topics do students study and in what order?

Students follow the AQA Science GCSE.  Below is a list of when we study the different topics and in which year group. 

Biology

Year 9

Communicable and non-communicable disease.

Year 10

Students study Cell Biology, Organisation, Infection and Response and Bioenergetics. 

Year 11

Students study Homeostasis and response, Inheritance, Variation and Evolution and Ecology. 

Chemistry

Year 9

Atomic Structure and the periodic table

Year 10

Metals and non-metals, Reactivity of metals, Organic Chemistry, The rate and extend of Chemical Change, Using resources, Chemistry of the Atmosphere and Chemical Analysis.

Year 11

Structure, bonding and properties, Chemical Calculations, Salts and Electrolysis, Energy Changes and Organic Reactions (Separate students only).

Physics

Year 9

Particle Model of Matter

Year 10

Energy, Electricity and Electromagnets

Year 11

Forces, Waves, Electromagnets and Space (Separate students only).

How are students assessed?

Students are assessed in the following ways at KS4: -

1.    Assessments on the Required Practical Activities;

2.    SPM assessments;

3.    Mock Exams – Students sit a range of mock exams in Science aimed at preparing them for their exams at the end of year 11.  These exams usually take place at the following times: -

A) June of Year 10 Paper 1 Biology and Physics and Paper 2 in    Chemistry.

B) December of Year 11 Paper 1 Biology and Physics and Paper 2 in Chemistry.

C) February of Year 11 Paper 2 Biology and Physics and Paper 1 in Chemistry.

Key Stage 5

What do students study and in what order?

Here is a break-down of what students are taught in the different subjects and in the different subjects.

Biology

Year 12

Biological Molecules, Cells, Organisms exchange substances with their environment, Genetic Information, variation and relationships between organisms.

Year 13

Energy Transfers in between organisms, Organisms response to change in their internal and external environments, Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems and the control of gene expressions.

Chemistry

Year 12

Physical Chemistry - Atomic Structure, Amount of Substance, Bonding, Energetics, Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Oxidations, reduction and redox equations. 

Organic Chemistry Alkanes, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols and Organic Analysis. 

Inorganic Chemistry – Periodicity, The alkaline Earth metals, the halogens

Year 13

Physical Chemistry – Thermodynamics, Rate equations, Equilibrium Constants for homogeneous systems.

Inorganic Chemistry –Properties of period 3 elements, transition metals and Reactions of ions in aqueous solutions.

Organic Chemistry

Optical isomerism, Aldehydes and ketones, Carboxylic acids and derivatices, Aromatic Chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino Acids, proteins and DNA, Organic Synthesis, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Chromatography. 

Physics

Year 12

Measurements and their errors, Particles and radiation, Waves, Mechanics and Materials, Electricity.

Year 13

Further mechanics and thermal physics, Fields and their consequences, Nuclear Physics and Turning Points. 

BTEC Science

Year 12

Principles and applications of Science

Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

Year 13

Science Investigation Skills

Physiology of Human Body Systems

How are students assessed?

A level Science - students are assessed through the 'Required Practical Activities' that count toward the students 'Practical Endorsement' and will be assessed in the final exams. 

End of topic assessments and mock exams. 

BTEC Science - students are assessed through coursework and mock exams.