Science is our way of understanding the world around us. Our vision is to “bring out the scientist in everyone”. As a team we are passionate about our subject and the wonder, challenge and inspiration it provides to so many young people. Scientific enquiry is placed at the heart of teaching and pupils are expected to operate as scientists. We aim to ensure pupils’ natural curiosity is sustained and the ‘big ideas’ in science are referred to. Lessons are highly interactive with a focus on developing both practical skills and content knowledge. We will build upon techniques in practical activities over five years.
Science provides the foundations for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Students will be taught to appreciate how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described and studied in ways that help students to develop curiosity. They will gain insight into how science works and an appreciation of it within our everyday lives.
The Department for Education state that the science curriculum should emphasise knowledge that is “…to be remembered and constantly built upon…”(DfE, 2018:5)
It is with this in mind the key principles for the science education at The Heys are:
Knowledge & content:
- A spiralised curriculum that builds on science at KS2 and continues throughout Yr7-Yr11. All aspects of the National Curriculum are covered, revisited and built upon.
- The curriculum, homework and assessment plans are designed to assess and reassess- building on knowledge retention at both key stages with opportunities for retrieval, recall, refine and revisiting key skills.
- The development of a knowledge rich curriculum will be attained through quality first teaching, collaborative learning and the opportunity for pupils to demonstrate their understanding.
- Reduced ‘end of topic’ tests with more frequent ‘low stakes’ checkpoints will allow immediate feedback to pupils and inform lesson planning to close gaps swiftly.
- Development, understanding and use of scientific language.
- Learning where possible is linked to the real world and career opportunities. Building cultural capital and promoting ‘The Heys Way’ of determination, kindness and respect.
Working Scientifically
- Opportunities for practical investigations at both KS3 and KS4.
- Developing a wide range of skills and deepening enquiry.
- Understanding the uses and implications of science in the past, present and future.
Use problem solving and mathematical skills through enquiry and analysis.
In Key stage 3 assessments are completed at the end of every topic to track and monitor the progress of students.
Feedback is provided to students in terms of the skills they are working towards or have mastered. Action points are identified to help pupils develop their understanding and key skills.
At KS3, students are taught in ability groups. They receive three one-hour lessons per week in years 7, 8 & 9, by one of our science teachers. Biology, chemistry and physics topics are taught in an alternating sequence of learning.
At Key Stage 4, students have the option to choose the Triple Science course (AQA).
Students that opt to take Triple Science in Key Stage 4 will be taught for seven hours a week and will work towards three GCSE qualifications.
Students will sit six exam papers in their final summer term of year 11, two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each paper is a written exams and last 1 hour 45 minutes. Triple Science GCSE is worth three GCSE grades, one for each science discipline.
The papers consist of multiple choice, structured, closed short answers, and open response questions.
For students who do not opt for Triple Science GCSE, they are required to complete the Combined Science GCSE. They will be taught for four hours a week and will work towards two GCSE qualifications.
Students will sit six exam papers in their final summer term of year 11, two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each paper is a written exams and last 1 hour 15 minutes.
The papers consist of multiple choice, structured, closed short answers, and open response questions.
The topics students cover throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 are outlined in the links below:
KS3
Year 7
Curriculum Overview Science Year 7 (2023-24)
How to be a scientist
Organisms (Pt1)
Forces (Pt1)
Matter (Pt1)
Genes (Pt1)
Electromagnets (Pt1)
Earth (Pt1)
Energy (Pt1)
Year 8
Curriculum Overview Science Year 8 (2023-24)
Ecosystems (Pt1)
Reactions (Pt1)
Waves (Pt1)
Organisms (Pt2)
Forces (Pt2)
Matter (Pt2)
Genes (Pt2)
Electromagnets (Pt2)
Year 9
Curriculum Overview Science Year 9 (2023-24)
Earth (Pt2)
Electromagnets (Pt2)
Ecosystem (Pt2)
Reactions (Pt2)
Waves (Pt2)
Cells and Transport
Chemistry Fundamentals
Conservation and dissipation of Energy
KS4
Curriculum Overview Science Year 10 (2023-24)
Curriculum Overview Science Year 11 (2023-24)
Biology Paper 1
Cell biology
Organisation
Infection and response
Bioenergetics.
Biology Paper 2
Homeostasis and response
Inheritance, variation, and evolution
Ecology.
Chemistry Paper 1
Atomic structure and the periodic table
Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
Quantitative chemistry
Chemical changes
Energy changes.
Chemistry Paper 2
The rate and extent of chemical changes
Organic chemistry
Chemical analysis
Chemistry of the atmosphere
Using resources.
Physics Paper 1
Energy
Electricity
Particle model of matter
Atomic structure.
Physics Paper 2
Forces
Waves
Magnetism and electromagnetism
Space Triple Science content only
Additional optional, masterclass lessons are available for year 11 students on Thursday NIght after school. These run until 4pm and will support students in preparation for assessments and formal exams.
We also offer a Homework club after school on a Tuesday
Revision materials are available
