Head of Department: Dr S Harding
All pupils study Science from Years 7 to 11. Our science curriculum develops a deep understanding of a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our curriculum model has been developed by staff at CVC and is based on research from the National Stem Centre BEST resources. We have a full program of topics in KS3 taught over 3 years to ensure our students are fully ready to embark on their GCSE courses in Year 10.
Pupils are taught the big ideas underpinning scientific knowledge and understanding as well as working scientifically skills. We have a large emphasis on practical work ensuring each practical task has a clear purpose and learning outcome linked to their course of study.
At Key Stage 4, pupils鈥� study either three GCSE courses (separate science) or the 3 Science subjects as an integral two GCSE course (Trilogy). Separate science is offered as an option to select as part of the year 10 option process which ensures all adequate time is embedded within the whole school curriculum to study the course in line with other GCSE options.
If you would like to view related Key Stage 5 courses, please click here
Key Stage 3
Students have two science teachers who each teach a topic on rotation. They use OneNote and an exercise book to store their work and conduct a variety of practical鈥檚. Students are assessed both on their knowledge and on their working scientifically skills which are embedded within the curriculum. Students are taught in mixed ability groups throughout years 7-11.
Click the downloads for detailed curriculum information.
Key Stage 4
Combined Science GCSE
What is GCSE Combined Science? (Trilogy)
Combined science aims to equip students with a good understanding of each of the three science disciplines: biology, chemistry and physics. After sitting the exams, students will attain two GCSE grades (9-1).
What skills will I develop?
By the end of this course you will be able to describe and explain a wide range of concepts, processes and theories that help us understand how things work. Students will also develop their practical skills of planning, collecting and presenting data as well as analysing it. Mathematical skills are hugely important in science, where a wide range will need to be applied to a variety of situations. The combined science course will develop a good level understanding of scientific principles and skills in topic areas such as genetics, ecology, bonding, organic chemistry, waves and electromagnetism.
What syllabus will I follow?
Students will follow the AQA Trilogy Combined Science Course. This syllabus started in September 2016.
What will the course look like?
Throughout the course, students will study each science for a double lesson a week (six science lessons per week in total). In year 10, students will study certain units, with the level of demand increasing as the course continues throughout year 10 and year 11.
鈥淩equired practicals鈥� must be completed throughout the course, covering a range of core practical skills, and students will find questions linking to these experiments in the final exam.
Students must study all three sciences as part of the trilogy combined science course, they cannot opt to study one or two sciences separately.
What homework will I get?
You will be set a weekly Sparx Science 糖心logowork (1 hour) covering topics already covered in all 3 sciences and tailored to your individualised learning. Your class teachers may also set you homework that links directly to the current class work such as planning and writing up experiments, researching information, reading, note-taking and answering worksheet questions. In addition you will be expected to revise for the end-of-unit tests and end-of-year examinations.
How will I be assessed?
Students will sit all of the examinations at the end of year 11. There will be six exams in total, each 75 minutes long, with two examinations dedicated to each of biology, chemistry and physics. Each exam will cover different targeted units within that science specialism.
Questions will include multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions. There will be foundation and higher tiered papers.
Students will undertake several mock exams at appropriate times throughout the two-year course.
What jobs or further courses of study might this lead to?
The study of trilogy combined science allows students to study any of the sciences at A Level or equivalent courses. Students will find they have not covered some content to the same depth that separate science students will have, thus meaning extra work may be required in further study. Pupils who take trilogy science have gone on to take science related university courses, such as engineering, medicine, veterinary science, earth, life, natural and physical sciences. In addition, combined science prepares students for a variety of vocational courses such as plumbing, electrician work, material related courses and any other technical course.
Are there any entry requirements for this course?
No, all students will study the combined science course, unless they have opted to study separate sciences.
If I need additional support, what can I access?
Students are encouraged to use a range of revision resources, including Collins revision guides and online resources.
Separate Sciences
What is GCSE Separate Sciences?
Separate science covers the same content as the Trilogy science course and more. It aims to equip students with a good understanding of each of the three science disciplines: biology, chemistry and physics. After sitting the exams, students will attain a separate GCSE grade (9 鈥� 1) for each science.
What skills will I develop?
By the end of this course, you will be able to describe and explain a wide range of concepts, processes and theories that help us understand how things work. Students will also develop their practical skills of planning, collecting and presenting data as well as analysing it. Mathematical skills are hugely important in science, where a wide range will need to be applied to a variety of situations. The separate science course will develop a deeper understanding of scientific principles and skills compared to the combined science course.
What syllabus will I follow?
Students will follow the AQA Separate Science Course. This syllabus started in September 2016.
What will the course look like?
Throughout the course, students will study each science for three lessons each week (nine science lessons each week in total). They will have a subject specialist teaching them. In year 10, students will study certain units, with the level of demand increasing as the course continues throughout year 10 and year 11.
Eight 鈥渞equired practicals鈥� must be completed throughout each science course, and students will find questions linking to these experiments in the final exam.
Students must be entered for all three science examination series; they cannot opt to do one or two sciences.
What homework will I get?
You will be set a weekly Sparx Science 糖心logowork (1 hour) covering topics already covered in all 3 sciences and tailored to your individualised learning. Your class teachers may also set you homework that links directly to the current class work such as planning and writing up experiments, researching information, reading, note-taking and answering worksheet questions. In addition you will be expected to revise for the end-of-unit tests and end-of-year examinations.
How will I be assessed?
Students will sit all examinations at the end of year 11. There will be six exams in total, each 105 minutes long, with two examinations dedicated to each of biology, chemistry, and physics. Each exam will cover different targeted units within that science specialism.
Questions will include multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions. There will be foundation and higher tiered papers.
Students will undertake several mock exams at appropriate times throughout the two-year course.
What jobs or further courses of study might this lead to?
The study of separate sciences would typically lead students to study at least one science at A Level. Most students study two or three sciences at A Level. Pupils who take separate sciences have gone on to take science related university courses, such as engineering, medicine, veterinary science, earth, life, natural and physical sciences. Equally, the study of separate sciences equips students with the skills for maths related courses, as well as economics, finance and business-related courses and jobs.
Are there any entry requirements for this course?
Students are expected to attain a secure, advanced or advanced plus pathway by the end of year 9 to do the separate science course. The higher level of demand in content justifies this entry requirement.
If I need additional support, what can I access?
Students are encouraged to use a range of revision resources, including Collins revision guides and online resources.