Science
Our intent is to plan and teach an inspiring and memorable science curriculum that inducts students into “powerful knowledge”: the knowledge and skills that allow access to humanity’s most rewarding endeavours. We seek to implement this by delivering great lessons informed by cognitive science: great explanations, core knowledge and hinterland illustrations, frequent low-stakes tests and dual coding, as well as explicitly teaching students how to revise independently, and providing them with the resources and accountability to engage in regular and effective revision as home learning.
Science Aims
The purpose of our science curriculum is to:
systematically increase the amount of knowledge and understanding that students have of natural phenomena.
have explanatory power in relation to a large number of objects, events and phenomena that are encountered by students in their lives during and after their school years.
provide a basis for understanding issues involved in making decisions that affect their own and others’ health and wellbeing, the environment and their use of energy.
provide enjoyment and satisfaction in being able to answer or find answers to the kinds of questions that people ask about themselves and the natural world.
have cultural significance – for instance in affecting views of the human condition – reflecting achievements in the history of science, the inspiration from the study of nature and the impacts of human activity on the environment.
be able to communicate their understanding of science effectively.
become strong readers in science, so they can access texts outside of the curriculum.
Have the choice of studying science beyond GCSE and Level 3 qualifications.
Science Overview
Key Stage 3
Students in key stage 3 science study a range of topics covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students begin year 7 by studying topics that introduce them to key concepts in each area of science, which they then revisit throughout all key stages, enabling them to build and strengthen schemas based on prior knowledge and create links within topics and between topics. Science topics in each year of study are sequenced in a way that allows each new topic to use the knowledge previously taught in other topics and/or Key Stage, to be applied in new contexts and to new concepts. Students are also taught a range of practical skills throughout each topic, which build in complexity as students move through each Key Stage.
Key Stage 4
The curriculum at Key Stage 4 continues to build on the knowledge and skills students have gained throughout their Key stage 3 learning. The science curriculum is spiralled so that topics are covered again in greater depth and complexity, making synoptic links with more opportunity to apply concepts to new areas and scientific ideas.
AQA GCSE Combined Science
AQA GCSE Separate Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics
At Key Stage 4 all students study Biology, Chemistry and Physics specific topics on all routes at GCSE. Students following the separate science GCSE route will cover additional extension content in each topic.
Download our full Science Curriculum guide including subjects and topics by year and term