Science

Aims and Philosophy

The Science Department aims to provide an education in the principles and concepts of science and their responsible applications to the problems encountered in daily life. It also looks to encourage pupils to enjoy their learning of science.

Key Stage 3

Pupils follow a two-year Key Stage Three course covering topics in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

The topics studied in the first year are: Cells, Structure  and function of body systems, Reproduction, Particles and their behaviour, Elements, atoms and compounds, Reactions, Acids and alkalis, Forces, Sound Light and Space. The topics studied in the second year are: Health and lifestyle, Ecosystem processes, Adaptation and inheritance, The Periodic Table, Separation Techniques, Metals and acids, The Earth, Electricity and magnetism, Energy and Motion and Pressure.

GCSE

The Science Department provides a curriculum designed to challenge and engage pupils of all abilities. Every pupil must study Science and each will follow one of the two courses outlined below, depending upon their set:

AQA Combined Science GCSE (Double Award)

Pupils in sets 2-5 follow a double award Combined Science GCSE which is worth two GCSEs and spans the Third, Fourth and Fifth Forms. The Biology, Chemistry and Physics components are delivered by subject specialists. Pupils taking Combined Science are equipped to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics at Advanced Level. The course covers the following content:

Biology	Chemistry	Physics
Cell biology Organisation Infection and response Bioenergetics Homeostasis and response Inheritance, variation and evolution Ecology	Atomic structure and the periodic table Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter Quantitative chemistry Chemical changes Energy changes The rate and extent of chemical change Organic chemistry Chemical analysis Chemistry of the atmosphere Using resources	Forces Energy Waves Electricity Magnetism and electromagnetism Particle model of matter Atomic structure

All pupils will sit six examination papers at the end of the course; two each in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The examinations will consist of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions. Each examination will be 75 minutes long and the qualification will be graded on a 17-point scale from 1-1 to 9-9 where 9-9 is the best grade.

More information can be found here.

Triple Award (AQA)

Pupils in set 1 will follow the AQA GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (sometimes known as “triple science” or “the separate sciences”), leading to the award of three GCSEs. The following topics are covered:

Biology	Chemistry	Physics
Cell biology Organisation Infection and response Bioenergetics Homeostasis and response Inheritance, variation and evolution Ecology	Atomic structure and the periodic table Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter Quantitative chemistry Chemical changes Energy changes The rate and extent of chemical change Organic chemistry Chemical analysis Chemistry of the atmosphere Using resources	Forces Energy Waves Electricity Magnetism and electromagnetism Particle model of matter Atomic structure Space physics

 All pupils will sit six examination papers at the end of the course; two each in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The examinations will consist of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions. Each examination will be 105 minutes long and the three qualifications will be graded on a separate nine-point scale from 1 to 9 where 9 is the best grade.

More information about Physics

More information about Chemistry

More information about Biology

A-Level Biology

The aims and objectives of the Advanced GCE in Biology are to enable students to develop:

• develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other
• develop and demonstrate a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods
• develop competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem solving skills
• develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject
• understand how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society

The course complements the study of a range of other A levels including Chemistry, Physics and Psychology at the same level.  A good grade in GCSE Mathematics is beneficial when covering certain topics taught throughout the course.  For entry requirements please see the Sixth Form Prospectus.

Course Content

The course content is broad, taking in a range of topic areas including; Cell structure and division, Biological molecules, Nucleotides and Nucleic acids. Enzymes, Biological membranes. Exchange surfaces, Transport in animals and Transport in plants. Communicable diseases, Disease prevention and the Immune system. Biodiversity Classification and evolution. Communication and homeostasis, Excretion, Neuronal and Hormonal communication, Plant and Animal responses, Photosynthesis and Respiration. Cellular control, Patterns of inheritance, Manipulating genomes, Cloning and Biotechnology. Ecosystems, Populations and Sustainability.

Assessment

Content	% Weighting
Paper 1: Biological Processes	37
Paper 2: Biological Diversity	37
Paper 3: Unified Biology	26
Practical Endorsement	-

Pupils will also be awarded the Science Practical Endorsement upon completion of 16 Core Practical tasks throughout the course.

More information can be found here.

Course: OCR, H420

Careers

Higher Education options open to pupils selecting this course include: Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Veterinary Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, along with a range of other scientific disciplines.

A-Level Chemistry

Qualification aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of the Advanced GCE in Chemistry are to enable students to develop:

• essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other
• a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods
• competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem solving skills
• their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject
• an understanding of how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.

The course complements the study of Biology and Physics at the same level, in addition mathematical skills form an integral part of the specification. For entry requirements please see the Sixth Form Prospectus.

Course content

The course content is broad, taking in a range of topic areas including; Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table, Bonding and Structure, Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance, Kinetics, Equilibrium, Transition Metals, Redox, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Techniques, Energetics and Acid and Base Chemistry.

Content	% Weighting
Paper 1: Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry	30
Paper 2: Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry	30
Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Chemistry	40

Pupils will also be awarded the Science Practical Endorsement upon completion of 16 Core Practical tasks throughout the course.

More information can be found here.

Course: EDEXCEL, 9CH0

Careers

Higher Education options open to pupils selecting this course include: Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, along with a range of other scientific disciplines.

A-Level Physics

This specification provides a smooth pathway from GCSE and a route to university courses in Physics and other subjects in which Physics is a key component. Pupils are expected to have achieved, as an absolute minimum, a GCSE grade 7 in Physics or 7-7 in Double award Combined Science, as well as, a grade 7 in Mathematics. In addition, the pupils should have a real enjoyment and interest in the subject and have good mathematical and communication skills.

Physics at A-Level is not an easy option and pupils must be prepared to work hard and submit work on time if they are to grasp the concepts at this level.

The specification aims to introduce pupils to new and exciting areas of Physics, as well as, to develop essential knowledge and understanding of the key principles of the subject.

Course Content

The course content is broad and covers the following topics:

• Measurements and their errors
• Particles and radiation
• Waves
• Mechanics and materials
• Electricity
• Further mechanics and thermal physics
• Fields and their consequences
• Nuclear Physics
• Engineering Physics

Scheme of Assessment

The qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all the AS exams at the end of their AS course and all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level course. 

Paper 1	Paper 2	Paper 3
Section 1 to 5 and 6.1 (Periodic motion)	Sections 6.2 (Thermal Physics), 7 and 8 Assumed knowledge from sections 1 to 6.1	Section a: Practical Skills and data analysis Section B: C Engineering
Written exam: 2 hours 85 marks 34% of A-Level	Written exam 2 hours 85 marks 34% of A-Level	Written exam 2 hours 80 marks 32% of A-Level

Pupils will also be awarded the Science Practical Endorsement upon completion of 16 Core Practical tasks throughout the course. 

More information can be found here.

AQA, 7408

Careers

Employers rate Physics A-Level very highly. For instance, Physics is essential for all types of engineering, meteorology, astronomy and radiography. It is an advantage for architecture, medicine, veterinary medicine, physiotherapy and many other areas.