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Science

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Philosophy and Vision

At Wellfield we believe that pupils should be engaged in science in ways that are authentic, interesting and meaningful to the learners themselves. We aim to drive learning in science using activities involving creativity, problem solving, modelling as well as looking at science in society. Pupils should be given opportunities to develop their ideas about the world around them in an environment that supports their learning needs and nurtures their interests so that ultimately, they grow in independence and can competently understand the implications and importance the role that science plays in their everyday lives.

Curriculum overview

In year 7 & 8 classes have 3 hours per week of science. All 3 science subjects are taught within this curriculum time and pupils have lots of opportunities to develop their understanding of topics alongside developing their scientific investigative skills. These activities range from planning their own investigations to evaluating results from other groups or sources. In year 9, 10 and 11 set 1 and 2 have 6 hours of science per week, while all other sets have 5 hours per week. Pupils complete lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, which also incorporates 23 required practical activities for trilogy dual award pupils and 28 required practical activities for separate sciences.

KS4 Curriculum (Y9-11) – links to GCSE specifications

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.

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