Science Department
Intent Statement
KS3
All students in KS3 follow a programme of study in line with National Curriculum objectives.
This will include 4 strands of science:
Investigation and Practical Skills
Biology: Animals including humans; Plants.
Chemistry: Materials; States of Matter; Simple reactions
Physics: Electricity; Forces, Light and Sound
Students will…
Use a variety of equipment to familiarise them with using it safely.
Conduct simple experiments and record observations
Make predictions based on their previous knowledge
Explain their observations using scientific language.
Investigate relationships between plants and animals
Learn about how diet, exercise and drugs can impact their health
Describe structures in plants and animals, from individual cells to food webs.
Explain the difference between materials and choose appropriate materials for a purpose.
Separate a variety of mixtures using scientific methods.
Safely make new products from basic reactants
Observe physical phenomenon to do with light and sound
Make simple circuits and name the equipment which relates to circuit symbols.
Test how different factors such as how rough or smooth a surface is will impact an object’s movement
KS4 (year 10 and 11) – Entry Level or BTEC Level 1 introductory Award
Some students at KS4 will not benefit from studying the GCSE curriculum as their needs mean they have a very different learning and assessment style to some of their peers. These students begin studying 6 units of study for Entry Level at year 10 level. One each for physics, biology and chemistry in each academic year. Should their attendance or academic need require a slower progression, then there is the option to take only 3 units or select the best 3 from those complete in order to gain a single award Entry Level.
For those moving into year 10 this year, a more vocational BTEC award at Level 1 is now an option for the students. This has a selection of vocational based scenarios which have a greater emphasis on processes and practical skills than the GCSE or Entry Levels. For those who might want to pursue a technical career pathway, this may be a more suitable option and will be discussed with individual students.
KS4 GCSE
Currently students have the opportunity to sit one or two GCSEs in science subjects depending on their academic progress at KS3. Students will be encouraged to study for GCSEs where possible as these are the most widely recognised by employers and give the option to gain a level 2 qualification.
GCSEs still follow the 4 main strands of assessment: Biology, Chemistry and Physics, in addition to assessing student practical skills.
There is a large overlap with GCSE mathematics in current GCSE papers, so predicted maths grades will have an impact on the decision about which qualifications students will be able to access successfully.
