In Year 9 the learners begin their Key Stage 4 Programme of Study so will begin GCSEs.
The majority of learners will begin to study AQA Trilogy Dual Award Science, which will cumulate in the award of 2 GCSEs. For some students it is appropriate to study the separate sciences. These students embark upon a three year course in separate sciences which culminate in the award of GCSEs in the three separate sciences at the end of Year 11.
All GCSE pupils (Dual Award and Separate science) study topics in biology chemistry and physics, for which there are 6 exams to be sat at the end of year 11. The topics that are taught and examined are:
Biology Paper 1 | Chemistry Paper 1 | Physics Paper 1 |
Cell biology | Atomic Structure and the periodic table | Energy |
Organisation | Bonding, structure and the properties of matter | Electricity |
Infection and Response | Quantitative chemistry | Particle model of matter |
Bioenergetics | Chemical Changes | Atomic structure |
Biology Paper 2 | Chemistry Paper 2 | Physics Paper 2 |
Homeostasis and response | The rate and extent of chemical changes | Forces |
Inheritance, variation and evolution | Organic chemistry | Waves |
Ecology | Chemical analysis | Magnetism and electromagnetism |
Chemistry of the atmosphere | Space physics (separate science ONLY) | |
Using resources |
Link to AQA Trilogy dual award science; https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464
Links to AQA triple science; https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461, https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462, https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463
KS3 Curriculum (Y7-8)
Year 7
During the first year at Wellfield our learners are introduced to practical lab work in a variety of scenarios which cover the key concepts in biology, chemistry and physics. We aim to study the big ideas in science and start with a topic that focuses on developing scientific skills. Topics then cover include cells and body systems, energy, the periodic table, particle models of matter and forces.
Year 8
In Year 8 we build on the understanding of key concepts that the learners gained in year 7. The areas of focus include a more in depth study of energy, genetics and inheritance, chemical reactions, electricity and waves.
Assessment
Key Stage 3 assessment; All units terminate in a short written exam. These units also include assessments in writing and experimental skills. It is advantageous for our young people to independently study for these assessments and they inform planning and setting.
Key Stage 4 assessment; All units terminate in a short GCSE style examination, using AQA exam questions. Each topic also has assessments throughout the topic that focuses on key content and skills; these assessments involve using past GCSE exam questions and occur approximately every 2 weeks.