Science

Aims

The Science Department at Brine Leas encourages pupils to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of key scientific concepts and the skills to successfully carry out investigations. Pupils are actively encouraged to explore the relevance of science in our society and to evaluate its impact.

Objectives

Throughout pupils’ study of Science from Year 7 to the end of Year 11, we foster the following:

  • Using knowledge and understanding to pose scientific questions and define scientific problems
  • Planning and carrying out investigative activities, including appropriate risk management, in a range of contexts
  • Collecting, selecting, processing, analysing and interpreting primary and secondary data to provide evidence
  • Evaluating methodology, evidence and data
  • Understanding the relationship between Science and society
  • Developing communications skills in scientific contexts.

KS3

Key Stage 3 Science is delivered in a modular form for Years 7, 8 and part of Year 9. Biology, Chemistry and Physics units are taught in rotation, giving an even weighting for each discipline. There is an equal focus in lessons on the teaching of knowledge and scientific skills.

The curriculum has been redesigned, so that Key Stage 3 is shortened to just over 2 years, allowing students to begin their Key Stage 4 studies during Year 9.

Pupils have six lessons of Science per fortnight.

Term Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
1
  • Cells, Tissues and organs
  • Energy
  • Mixtures and separation
  • Sexual reproduction in animals
  • Food and nutrition
  • Combustion
  • The Periodic Table
  • Fluids
  • Plant growth
  • Making materials
  • Forces and motion
  • Genetics and evolution
2
  • Acids and Alkalis
  • Electricity
  • Muscle and bones
  • Forces
  • Light
  • Breathing and Respiration
  • Earth and Space
  • Unicellular Organisms
  • Force fields and electomagnets
  • Reactivity
  • Biology, Chemistry and Physics projects
3
  • The particle model
  • Sound
  • Ecosystems
  • Atoms, Elements and Molecules
  • Rocks
  • Energy Transfers
  • Plants and their reproduction
  • Metals and their uses
  • Biology, Chemistry and Physics transition to GCSE

KS4

Courses

Year 10 student will be following the new curriculum which is as follows:

Pathway 1: AQA Science Double Award
This is a combined science qualification giving two GCSE’s in Science. The combined science GCSE consists of 6 1hour 15 minute external exams sat at the end of year 11. There will be two Biology papers, two Physics papers and 2 Chemistry papers (topics covered are listed below). 15% of the overall marks for the qualification will draw from knowledge and understanding gained by completing set practical activities which are carried out during the course.

Biology Topics

  • Cell biology
  • Organisation
  • Infection and response
  • Bioenergetics
  • Homeostasis and response
  • Inheritance, variation and evolution
  • Ecology

Chemistry Topics

  • 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
  • Chemistry of the atmosphere
  • Using resources

Physics Topics

  • Forces
  • Energy
  • Waves
  • Electricity
  • Magnetism and electromagnetism
  • Particle model of matter
  • Atomic structure

Pathway 2 – Triple science (requires an option)
Course Name: Triple Science
(GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Examination Board: AQA
Biology, Physics and Chemistry are taught in discrete lessons and a separate GCSE is gained in each subject. This is the ideal choice for anyone who is interested in studying Science A levels or pursuing a Science based career. The same topics are covered as in the Double Award (see previous page) with the exception of physics which includes a space topic. Topics will be covered in more depth so this option is only suitable for more able students. Each qualification (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) will have two 1hour 45 minute external exams sat at the end of year 11. 15% of the overall marks for each qualification will draw from knowledge and understanding gained by completing set practical activities which are carried out during the course.

Biology Topics

  • Cell biology
  • Organisation
  • Infection and response
  • Bioenergetics
  • Homeostasis and response
  • Inheritance, variation and evolution
  • Ecology

Chemistry Topics

  • Atomic structure and the periodic table
  • Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
  • Quantitative chemistry
  • Chemical changes
  • Energy Changes

Current Year 11 students will continue to follow GCSE Science and Additional Science, BTEC First Award in Applied Science. The most able pupils are offered GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Triple Science).

Examinations

GCSE Science (Y10) & Additional Science (Y11): two separate GCSEs
In each year, pupils study Biology, Chemistry and Physics modules and an ISA (Investigative Skills Assessment). There are three module examinations. There is the same course structure in Y11

GCSE Triple Science: Separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Three modules for each subject are sat at the end of Year 11. One ISA per subject is required.

For all GCSE Sciences, the AQA specifications are followed:
Science GCSE

BTEC First Award in Applied Science
In Y10 there is an examination in November; in Y11, the examination is at the end of the course. The remainder of the course assessment is by a portfolio of evidence, which is externally verified.

For BTEC Applied Science, the Edexcel specification is followed:
BTEC Firsts

Link for Science careers information:
Future Morph