Science

We now teach Science as a curriculum subject from Year 1 right through to Year 11. All pupils will be eligible to gain a qualification in science from an Entry Level Certificate in Science to an actual GCSE. Both qualifications are nationally recognised and can be used to gain entry to further education at college.

Key Stage 2

Science Bug Primary Education

Science Bug is a comprehensive science programme for today’s curious kids. Science Bug is designed to build the knowledge and skills needed to spark imagination, fuel curiosity, and nurture confident young scientists. Mainly based on learning by doing outdoor activities, we will also be using the online subscription which allows pupils to access extra help, practice questions and take part in lots of interactive activities whilst gaining valuable ICT skills along the way. Online learning also enables a pupil to access work if they are absent from the lesson. Each child will also have access to a text book age appropriate to their needs with simple text and colorful illustrations and lots of fun facts.

Science Bug is a challenging and complete curriculum programme from Year 1 to Year 6.

The objectives of Science Bug:

To develop subject knowledge through highly structured lessons directly based upon the National Curriculum.

To teach by using resources designed, tested, and proven with primary students across the country in a range of settings, and packed with fun, hands-on activities, videos, and animations.

To support and offer guidance personalised to the needs of the student and to ascertain progress and offer interventions where appropriate.

Key Stage 3

Pearson Edexcel Exploring Science

Key Stage 3/4

Functional Skills Pathway:

Pearson Entry Level Certificate in Science

Pupils in Key Stage 3 will study for the Entry Level Certificate in Science over a period of 2 years. It consists of 6 topics, 2 from each topic of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They will take a test at the end of each topic which will usually be at the end of each term. Each of the six externally-set tests will focus on a specific area of content from the specification, shown as follows:

Paper 1:

Biology 1A – Cells, genetics, inheritance and modification Cells, Genetics, Inheritance and modification

Paper 4:

Chemistry 1B – Separating mixtures, breaking down substances, acids and metals Methods of separating and purifying substances, Breaking down ionic compounds, Acids, Metals

Paper 2:

Biology 1B – Health, disease and the development of medicines Disease, Prevention and medicines, Health

Paper 5:

Physics 1A – Forces, movement and energy Motion, Forces, Energy

Paper 3:

Chemistry 1A – Atoms, compounds and states of matter Atomic structure, The periodic table, Ionic bonding, Covalent bonding, Metallic bonding, States of matter

Paper 6:

Physics 1B – Waves and radiation Waves, Electromagnetic spectrum, Atoms, Radiation

There is no set time for when each test is completed or how long the pupil takes to complete each test which makes it suitable for all students. A pupil can also re-sit each paper after a period of two weeks. Each paper is worth 25 marks. At the end of the course the marks will be added up to give the pupil a final level overall:

Entry Level 1 30/150
Entry Level 2 65/150
Entry Level 3 100/150

GCSE Pathway

Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Combined Science with Entry Level Certificate

This GCSE has been created to be co-taught with the Entry Level Certificate. This means that we will be able to differentiate and match a course to suit the individual needs of the pupils. At the end of Key Stage 3 the pupils will all start studying for a GCSE in Combined Science. Towards the end of Year 10 the pupils will be entered for one of 3 options:

1. Consolidate knowledge of Entry Level Certificate and gain a qualification at the end of two years.

2. Study for the Entry Level Certificate in Further Science which will be sat at the end of 2 years.

3. Study for the Combined Science GCSE which will be sat at the end of two years.

We also have a brand new science laboratory complete with a prep room. This will allow us to do more practicals than ever before and help prepare our pupils for the assessed practical part of the Combined Science GCSE which involves completing 10 practicals over the course of their GCSE studies.

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

― Albert Einstein