Curriculum

SCIENCE

Each scientific discipline gives pupils a unique perspective to explain the world around them. As pupils learn science, they also learn about its uses and significance to society and their own lives. Pupils learn about the continuing importance of science in solving global challenges such as climate change, food availability, controlling disease and access to water. The curriculum is designed to build substantive knowledge of scientific concepts and disciplinary procedures. By doing so, pupils can reason scientifically about phenomena with increasing sophistication and can use their knowledge to work scientifically with increasing expertise.
How will I study Science?

Pupils study Science through both substantive and disciplinary knowledge. Each topic covers a sequence of lessons that builds sophisticated language through the delivery of scientific concepts and working scientifically. This goes beyond simply doing practical work or collecting data, it includes learning about the concepts and procedures that scientists use to develop scientific explanations. These are revisited throughout the course to gain a deeper understanding and equip pupils with a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics making connections between these subject areas.

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

We encourage our pupils to be curious about the world around them and to develop a positive and practical approach to scientific learning. In key stage 3, we build an understanding of the ‘Big Ideas’ in science that are relevant to pupils’ lives during and beyond school. We achieve this through a wide and varied curriculum in which pupils are regularly challenged and reviewed. Pupils will develop an understanding that science is about working objectively and is continually changing and developing in the world around us.

What will I study at Key Stage 4?

Teaching science in key stage 4 continues to build upon and deepen the substantive and disciplinary knowledge and understanding developed in earlier key stages. In Biology, the topics covered seek to understand living organisms and life. It takes into account the complex systems involving interactions between genes, the environment and random chance. Physics builds its explanations on measurable quantities that can be put into numerical relationships. Chemistry draws heavily on the use of models and modelling to explain the behaviour of matter and routinely involves the synthesis of the objects it studies. Pupils continue to work scientifically and think like a scientist through a broad, coherent and practical based curriculum that will challenge and inspire students. We follow the Edexcel Specification at KS4 for which the KS3 lays the foundation for this. At KS4 we have the highest expectations of all students, we offer Separate Sciences for our most able and proficient scientists which allows them to go onto access highly successful careers such as medicine and dentistry.

Year 11 students have access to a key online revision resources to support with their independent revision; My GCSE Science. My GCSE Science is an excellent online learning and revision platform that is fully updated for the 9-1 GCSE specifications. As well as video tutorials, the platform provides multiple-choice quizzes, exam-style questions and mark schemes on every topic. It covers both Foundation and Higher tier material and provides key material to develop practical and mathematical skills.

Assessment at Key Stage 4 – GCSE Combined Science

Pupils will complete either GCSE Combined Science or separate sciences (GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics).

GCSE Combined Science Edexcel 1SC0

Biology Paper 1 (1SC0/1BH, 1SC0/1BF) 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 10 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
60 marks 
16.7% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology 
  • Topic 2 – Cells and control 
  • Topic 3 – Genetics 
  • Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification 
  • Topic 5 – Health, disease and the development of medicine 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.
Calculators may be used in the examination. 

Biology Paper 2 (1SC0/2BH, 1SC0/2BF) 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 10 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
60 marks 
16.7% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology 
  • Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions, Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis 
  • Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals 
  • Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.
Calculators may be used in the examination. 

Chemistry Paper 1 (1SC0/1CH, 1SC0/1CF) 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 10 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
60 marks 
16.7% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry 
  • Topic 2 – States of matter and mixtures 
  • Topic 3 – Chemical changes 
  • Topic 4 – Extracting metals and equilibria 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.
Calculators may be used in the examination. 

Chemistry Paper 2 (1SC0/2CH, 1SC0/2CF) 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 10 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
60 marks 
16.7% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry 
  • Topic 6 – Groups in the periodic table 
  • Topic 7 – Rates of reaction and energy changes 
  • Topic 8 – Fuels and Earth science 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.
Calculators may be used in the examination. 

Physics Paper 1 (1SC0/1PH, 1SC0/1PF) 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 10 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
60 marks 
16.7% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts of physics 
  • Topic 2 – Motion and forces 
  • Topic 3 – Conservation of energy 
  • Topic 4 – Waves 
  • Topic 5 – Light and the electromagnetic spectrum 
  • Topic 6 – Radioactivity 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.
Calculators may be used in the examination. 

Physics Paper 2 (1SC0/2PH, 1SC0/2PF) 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 10 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
60 marks 
16.7% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts of physics 
  • Topic 8 – Energy – Forces doing work 
  • Topic 9 – Forces and their effects 
  • Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits 
  • Topic 12 – Magnetism and the motor effect 
  • Topic 13 – Electromagnetic induction 
  • Topic 14 – Particle model 
  • Topic 15 – Forces and matter 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.
Calculators may be used in the examination. 

Assessment at Key Stage 4 – GCSE Separate Science 

GCSE Separate Science Edexcel 1BI0, 1CH0, 1PH0 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
100 marks 
50% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology 
  • Topic 2 – Cells and control 
  • Topic 3 – Genetics 
  • Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification 
  • Topic 5 – Health, disease and the development of medicine 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.
Calculators may be used in the examination. 

 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
100 marks 
50% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology 
  • Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions 
  • Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis 
  • Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals 
  • Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.
Calculators may be used in the examination. 

 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
100 marks 
50% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry 
  • Topic 2 – States of matter and mixtures 
  • Topic 3 – Chemical changes 
  • Topic 4 – Extracting metals and equilibria 
  • Topic 5 – Separate chemistry 1 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination 

Chemistry Paper 2 (1CH0/2H, 1CH0/2F) 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
100 marks 
50% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts in chemistry 
  • Topic 6 – Groups in the periodic table 
  • Topic 7 – Rates of reaction and energy changes 
  • Topic 8 – Fuels and Earth science 
  • Topic 9 – Separate chemistry 2 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. 

Physics Paper 1 (1PH0/1H, 1PH0/1F) 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
100 marks 
50% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts of physics 
  • Topic 2 – Motion and forces 
  • Topic 3 – Conservation of energy 
  • Topic 4 – Waves 
  • Topic 5 – Light and the electromagnetic spectrum 
  • Topic 6 – Radioactivity 
  • Topic 7 – Astronomy 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. 

Physics Paper 2 (1PH0/2H, 1PH0/2HF) 

Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes 
Foundation and Higher Tier 
100 marks 
50% of GCSE 
  • Topic 1 – Key concepts of physics 
  • Topic 8 – Energy – Forces doing work 
  • Topic 9 – Forces and their effects 
  • Topic 10 – Electricity and circuits 
  • Topic 11 – Static electricity 
  • Topic 12 – Magnetism and the motor effect 
  • Topic 13 – Electromagnetic induction 
  • Topic 14 – Particle model 
  • Topic 15 – Forces and matter 

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examination. 

Enrichment

The Science department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Pupils can take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the school in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Our students attend the annual Big Bang Fair where they can take part in a variety of STEM related activities. We also have strong links with local universities, our students attend medicine taster sessions throughout the year. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model. Clubs include Science STEM club.

Careers

The study of Science can lead to future careers ranging from Paramedic, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist to Aerospace Engineer, Vet and Pharmacist. Famous Science graduates include David Attenborough (Natural Scientist), Helen Sharman (first female and first British astronaut to visit the International space station), Angela Merkel (German Chancellor).

Useful Resources and Revision Support
  • www.edexcel.com
  • www.kerboodle.com
  • https://www.my-gcsescience.com/
  • https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/
  • https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/
  • https://www.youtube.com/user/MaChemGuy
  • http://www.knockhardy.org.uk/sci.htm
  • https://www.chemguide.co.uk/
  • https://www.youtube.com/user/Biorach
  • physicsandmathstutor.com/biology
Remote curriculum access

If a student is isolating all lessons can be accessed via TEAMS as they are livestreamed, this is to ensure no child is disadvantaged. Furthermore, weekly homework is set and can be accessed via ShowMyHomework.

Contact details 

Director of Learning Maryam Hanif

Deputy director of learning T/L Ruth Wafi

Deputy director of learning A/O Fatima