SCIENCE

KEY STAGE 3

Y7

Students are taught in mixed ability form groups. They study a course based on the AQA 11 to 16 curriculum for key stage 3. In Y7 the course students study 10 short units each of which is assessed by a combination of end of unit test and mini assessments.

Y8

Students are taught in six ability groups following on from a combination of test and assessment data from Y7. There are opportunities during Y8 for students to move groups based on data collected during the year. Students continue to study the AQA 11 to 16 curriculum course for key stage 3 of ten short units which are assessed by a combination of end of unit test and mini assessments using the Doddle platform.
Using the AQA scheme means that the students are prepared to start their Key stage 4 course at the beginning of Y9.

Y9

Students start the AQA GCSE course which is spread over the next three years.
They are taught in ability groups formed by using a combination of test and assessment data from Y8. There is opportunity for students to move groups based on data collected during the year.
A total of 6 units based on the AQA key stage 4 specification for Trilogy Science are taught.
The units are taught on a rota basis and comprise of two biology, two chemistry and two physics units. The rota is designed so that the different units are taught by specialist teachers.

KEY STAGE 4

Y10/11

The two highest ability groups of students study the AQA triple award specifications (separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics qualifications) while the other 4 groups continue to study the AQA trilogy specification (equivalent to two GCSEs). In all cases the units are taught on a rota to ensure that the students are taught each subject by specialist teachers.
Topics covered include bioenergetics, infection and response, ecology, atomic structure, magnetism and electromagnetism, organic chemistry and chemical analysis.

CURRICULUM TIME

KS3: 3 hours

KS4: 3 hours (Y9), 6 hours (Triple award), 5 hours (Double award).

ASSESSMENT

Both the Triple Award and the Double Award qualifications are assessed through two written exams for biology, two for chemistry and two for physics.

Triple Award exams: (50% each) – 1.75 hours.

Double Award exams: (16.7% each) – 1.25 hours.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Mr. M. Kaye