The Science Faculty bases its KS3 course on the published Longmans course “Exploring Science”.
This course has been written to be entirely compatible with the governments` QCA Scheme of Work. Features of the course include:-
Lessons and practical work matched to assessment materials and linked to National Curriculum Levels. Different routes through the course tailored to different ability levels. Each year group has its own set of text books. Lessons are used to develop thinking skills, literacy, numeracy and ICT. Students are encouraged to ” Build up their Learning Power” so that thy can increasingly take responsibility for their learning. Each of the 12 topics covered per year ends with a test so that the students can chart their progress through the course. There is an examination at the end of year 7 and year 8. Students sit their SAT examinations in May during year 9
Year 7: The topics studied are:- Cells, Reproduction, Environment and feeding relationships, Variation and classification Acids and alkalis, Simple chemical reactions, Particle models of solids, liquids and gases, Solutions. Energy resources, Electrical circuits, Forces and their effects, The solar system and beyond.
Year 8: The topics studied are:- Food and digestion, Respiration, Microbes and disease, Ecological relationships. Atoms and elements, Compounds and mixtures, Rocks and weathering, The rock cycle. Heating and cooling, Magnets and electromagnets, Light, Sound and hearing
Year 9: The topics studied are:- Inheritance and selection, Fit and healthy, Plants and photosynthesis, Plants for food. Reactions of metals and metal compounds, Patterns of reactivity, Environmental chemistry, Using chemistry. Energy and electricity, Gravity and space, Speeding up, Pressure and moments
Parents can help by discussing the topics covered in school lessons. These topics can be found in the science text book that students keep at home. This will help to reinforce the ideas and concepts that students need to understand their work
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
In year 10 students study for a single GCSE which is awarded at the end of the year. This is called GCSE Science In year 11 students study for a second single GCSE which is awarded at the end of the year This is called GCSE Additional Science.
The two courses are taught and examined as Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Practical work. Both courses are modular and are examined by the AQA examination board on set dates during each year. The courses, although traditional in content, also look at the place of science in society and how the scientific process is used to contribute to the answers to moral and social questions.
The topics studied in GCSE Science are:-Human Biology, Evolution and Environment, Products from Rocks, Oils, Earth and Atmosphere, Energy and Electricity and Radiation and the Universe.
The Topics studied in GCSE Additional Science develop and build on the topics covered in year 10. The topics can be studied at either foundation or higher level.
Post 16 opportunities and progression routes for further study
These two science courses allow progression to many Post – GCSE courses, including A Levels and vocational qualifications. Through the partnership with Dudley College the school contributes to A – Level Biology and Chemistry.
