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Science
Our science curriculum aims to foster a robust understanding of the fundamental principles in biology, chemistry, and physics so that students can engage with and respond to the scientific challenges of our time (e.g. climate change, health, sustainability, energy). Our teachers will instil curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific literacy: enabling students to ask relevant questions, evaluate evidence, and communicate scientific ideas clearly. We will equip students with investigative and practical skills, including experimental design, data analysis, interpreting results, and handling uncertainty. The study of science will promote resilience, collaboration, and independence through practical inquiry and problem solving.Through this we will inspire students to pursue further study or careers in STEM fields, and to become informed citizens who can participate meaningfully in debates about science in society.
KS3
Students build up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts in biology, chemistry and physics in line with the national curriculum. Students will explore a range of topics including particles, cells, energy, reproduction, forces and chemical reactions in year 7. During year 8 students increase their knowledge by focusing on the periodic table, nutrition, light and space, materials, electricity and ecology. Students in year 9 consider forces in action, reactivity, energetics, sound, biological systems and processes as well as photosynthesis and matter. Throughout KS3 students gain a deeper understanding of how to work scientifically so by the end of year 9 students will have gained considerable knowledge and developed important practical skills.
KS4
At KS4 students will follow either the combined science pathway which results in 2 GCSE grades or students may use one of their option choices to study triple science. Triple science students will look at some topics in more detail and may have additional topics to explore during their studies such as the topic of space in physics. Triple science students will be awarded 3 GCSE grades at the end of the course. Both combined science and triple science students will learn biology, chemistry and physics.
During biology lessons students will explore cell biology, organisation, infection and control, bioenergetics, homeostasis and response, inheritance, variation and evolution ending with the study of ecology.
Chemistry lessons will include the study of atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, energy changes, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, chemistry of the atmosphere and using the Earth’s resources.
Physics topics that all students will consider are energy, electricity, the particle model, atomic structure, forces, waves and magnetism.
Throughout KS4 students will be encouraged to develop the skill of working scientifically, so will have the opportunity to complete a range of practical activities in addition to those required by the exam board.
At the end of the GCSE course students will be required to complete 6 exams which include a mix of multiple choice questions, short answer questions and long answer questions.
KS5
At KS4 students will follow either the combined science pathway which results in 2 GCSE grades or students may use one of their option choices to study triple science. Triple science students will look at some topics in more detail and may have additional topics to explore during their studies such as the topic of space in physics. Triple science students will be awarded 3 GCSE grades at the end of the course. Both combined science and triple science students will learn biology, chemistry and physics.
During biology lessons students will explore cell biology, organisation, infection and control, bioenergetics, homeostasis and response, inheritance, variation and evolution ending with the study of ecology.
Chemistry lessons will include the study of atomic structure, bonding, quantitative chemistry, chemical changes, energy changes, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, chemistry of the atmosphere and using the Earth’s resources.
Physics topics that all students will consider are energy, electricity, the particle model, atomic structure, forces, waves and magnetism.
Throughout KS4 students will be encouraged to develop the skill of working scientifically, so will have the opportunity to complete a range of practical activities in addition to those required by the exam board.
At the end of the GCSE course students will be required to complete 6 exams which include a mix of multiple choice questions, short answer questions and long answer questions.
Exam board(s)
AQA GCSE Combined science Trilogy
AQA GCSE Biology
AQA GCSE Chemistry
AQA GCSE Physics
AQA A Level Biology
AQA A Level Chemistry
AQA A Level Physics
