Science

The science curriculum fits with our whole school aims for students to develop resilience in subject knowledge of the “Big Ideas” in science. We want to build strength in working scientifically to become future Scientists.

Our vision as a department is to ensure students make good progress and become great future scientist. We work to prepare students to progress to A Levels, BTECS and Apprenticeships with the essential transferable scientific skills needed to make good scientific decisions in Society despite their future career choice.

Science teaching aims to give all students deep understanding of a wide range of topics and the world around them with a focus on development skills and knowledge to help gain and understanding of processes and the implications of science now and for the future.

The science curriculum is carefully constructed to promote a deep understanding of a wide range of topics. The learning is planned to allow students to embed and recall knowledge through techniques such as interleaving of topics and spaced practice. This builds firm foundations for progression to the next level and exam success. The focus is the development of scientific investigation design and evaluations, we want our students to be confident with longer essay writing, vocabulary, and calculations. We aim to nurture students into adults that are informed about the knowledge of scientific processes who can justify data and suggest improvements.

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed around ‘Big Ideas’. This encourages students to focus on deeper learning to ensure real understanding of key concepts. Each big science idea topic has a planned learning journey with clear statements setting out what students need to know, understand, and do to reach their aspirational target grade. Lesson planning incorporates “Activate Kerboodle online” which allows students to develop a range of skills which they can apply to help them with the challenge of the curriculum. The National curriculum content is carefully tracked to ensure that students  have covered all areas of non-statutory Key Stage 4 subjects by the end of Year 8. In Year 9 students follow the Activate 3 Key Stage 3 gateway course which are not externally examined but lay the foundations for Key Stage 4. This is a deliberate action to engage students and enable students to really enjoy science.

In Key Stage 4 student’s student study double combined trilogy science, with required practical and content that is sequenced and revisited through the 2-year program to enable progress and retention of knowledge.

We support our SEND students through differentiated tasks and support worksheets. Our laboratories support disabled students with special chairs and lowered sinks to ensure all students can participate equally in all lessons.