Science
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All pupils study Science from Year 7 to Year 11. In year 7, all pupils follow an exciting skills based course with lots of practical activities. Topics include Alien, Forensics and Extinction. Pupils are assessed not only on their scientific knowledge, but also their ability to work as enquiring scientists, handling data and drawing conclusions. Written assessments occur at the end of each unit along with teacher assessments during each unit. The format of Year 8 is the same as Year 7, and topics covered here include Catastrophe, Live and Kicking and Studio Magic. In Year 9 our pupils are divided to follow one of three routes. One group follow the BTEC Certificate in Principles of Science, which is equivalent to one GCSE. The remainder all follow GCSE Core Science, on either a route progressing to the qualification of Triple Science, or another route progressing to the qualification of Double Science. In Years 10 and 11, pupils continue with their GCSE Additional and Separate Science GCSEs and our BTEC students move on to Applications of Science Additional enrichment courses such as GCSE Astronomy are available as twilight courses, if numbers permit. In Year 12 and 13, A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics are on offer along with Level 3 BTEC National Applied Science in Biology and Forensic Science. |
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Science is compulsory for students in years 7 to 11 - details of this course can found below
| Course overview: |
All of our GCSE’s in Science encourage students to be inspired, motivated and challenged by following a broad, coherent, practical, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. They provide insight into and experience of how science works, stimulating students’ curiosity and encouraging them to engage with science in their everyday lives and to make informed choices about further study and career choices. All GCSE Qualifications follow the same format with 3 written examinations and 1 controlled assessment. Each of these aspects are worth 25% or the whole GCSE. Our BTEC qualifications in Applied Science are designed to reflect the unique nature of science learning - in particular, the fact that content must span three disciplines (physics, chemistry and biology) rather than just one. The Principles of Applied Science Award delivers the Key Stage 4 Programme of Study by covering the key scientific principles vital for both scientists and citizens of the future. It develops and exemplifies these principles in applied and vocational contexts, leading to an understanding of how the principles are applied in practice. The Application of Science Award is suitable for students who have covered the Key Stage 4 Programme of Study. It develops students' understanding of key applications of science, and builds the skills required both for the scientific workplace and for further study. |
| Exam board specification: |
GCSE Core Science – Edexcel exam board GCSE Additional Science - Edexcel exam board GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics/GCSE Further Additional Science - Edexcel exam board Further information on all of the above qualifications can be found at http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/GCSE-science-2011/Pages/fas.aspx BTEC Principles of Science - Edexcel exam board BTEC Applications of Science - Edexcel exam board Details of the BTEC qualifications can be found at http://www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts2012/applied-science/Pages/default.aspx GCSE Astronomy – Edexcel exam board http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/Astronomy/Pages/default.aspx |
| Exemplar material: | This can be found by following the links above to each of the course websites. You should follow links to Sample Assessment Material or Past Papers. |
Physics A Level is an option for students in the sixth form - details of this course can found below
| Entry Requirements: | Grade C in English, Grade B in GCSE Additional Science or GCSE Physics and Mathematics |
| Course assessment: |
4 Written exams - two for AS and two for A2 Experimental write up for AS and A2 |
| Career possibilities: | Doctor, Dentist, Engineer, Pilot, Astronaut, Radiographer, Astrophysicist, Rocket Scientist , Teacher! |
| Course overview: |
Physics A will prepare students for a career or further study in physics, engineering, one of the other sciences or related areas. The teaching of practical skills are integrated with the theoretical topics, but they are assessed separately. Topics covered include Mechanics Motion, Forces in action, Work and energy, Newton’s laws and momentum, Circular motion and oscillations, Thermal Physics, Fields, Particles and Frontiers of Physics, Electric and magnetic fields, Capacitors and exponential decay, Nuclear Physics, Medical imaging, Modelling the Universe, Electrons, Waves and Photons. |
| Exam board specification: |
OCR GCE Physics A http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce-physics-a-h158-h558/ |
| Exemplar material: | Available on OCR website and from the science shared area. |
Chemistry A Level is an option for students in the sixth form - details of this course can found below
| Entry Requirements: | Grade C in English, Grade C in Mathematics, Grade B in GCSE Additional Science or GCSE Chemistry |
| Course assessment: | OCR A H043/H434 Specification. Consists of 20% practical assessment, 80% written assessment available in January and June. |
| Career possibilities: | Producing chemicals for large companies like Pfizer and GSK, Chemical Engineer, Forensic scientist, Pharmaceutical Chemist, Atmospheric chemist, Perfumer, Doctor, Dentist, Teacher. |
| Course overview: | Chemistry A will prepare students for a career or further study in chemistry, engineering, one of the other sciences or related areas. The teaching of practical skills are integrated with the theoretical topics, but they are assessed separately. Topics covered include Atoms, Bonds and Group: Atoms and reactions, Electrons, bonding and structure, The Periodic Table, Chains, Energy and Resources: Basic concepts and hydrocarbons, Alcohols, halogenoalkanes and analysis, Energy, Resources |
| Exam board specification: | Click here for the specification for this course |
| Exemplar material: | Available on OCR website and from the science shared area. |
Biology A Level is an option for students in the sixth form - details of this course can found below
| Entry Requirements: | Grade C in English, Grade B in GCSE Additional Science or GCSE Biology |
| Course assessment: | At AS, students complete 3 units of study. Two of these are assessed by terminal written examination and are worth 40% of the AS grade. The third unit is a written Issue Report into a chosen area of biology and is worth the remaining 20% of the AS grade. This model is repeated at A2 level, and the coursework element here is a full student devised investigation. |
| Career possibilities: | Doctor, Dentist, Environmental Biology, Neuroscience, Research, Sports Studies, Physiotherapy, Teaching, Nursing, Food and Nutrition, Vet, Biomedical Science, Palaeontology, Anthropology, Forensics, Geology, Genetics, and many, many more! |
| Course overview: |
This topic begins with a consideration of the structure and functions of a number of molecules, including water, carbohydrates and triglycerides. The structure and function of the cardiovascular system is also included as an introduction to the ways in which diet and lifestyle factors may affect the heart and circulatory system. Ideas about correlation, causation and the concept of risks to health are covered. From this, students biological knowledge will build to cover topics ranging from Environmental Biology to Forensics, Health and Sports Science. |
| Exam board specification: | Edexcel GCE Biology http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/gce08/biology/Pages/default.aspx |
| Exemplar material: | Available on Edexcel website and from the science shared area. |
