Science
Curriculum Intent
Science is a subject underpinned by great questions asked by the most inquisitive minds. Young people are the scientists of the future and here at Kingsway Park High School, the Science department intends to ignite students’ passion for understanding the world around them, all the while in keeping with following the national curriculum across both Key Stages and successfully increasing uptake in the field of STEM beyond post 16.
We aim to work alongside other curriculum areas (Mathematics and English) to transfer scientific language understanding and mathematical concepts needed to answer more in-depth scientific content.
Students will also be inspired as to just how many careers involve the skills gained from both the theory and practical side of science. There are many transferable skills gained from the subject
Our bespoke Medium Term Curriculum Plans, which have been designed by subject specialists to offer a continuous curriculum across both Key Stages are delivered through quality classroom teaching.
Ultimately students will:
- Develop knowledge of the world around them and link to their own lives.
- Build team working and social skills to become problem-solvers.
- Use scientific language confidently and apply their knowledge in a progressive manner.
Key Stage 3:
Year 7 –
- 6 x 60-minute lessons per fortnight.
- Classes are set as mixed ability forms.
- Work is completed in an A5 purple book which students are responsible for.
- Assessments take place at the end of each topic and are out of 40 marks.
- Homework is set for each topic through an online platform – Educake.co.uk.
Year 8 –
- 6 x 60-minute lessons per fortnight.
- Classes are set based on ability.
- Work is completed in an A5 purple book which students are responsible for.
- Assessments take place at the end of each topic and are out of 40 marks.
- Homework is set for each topic through an online platform – Educake.co.uk.
Year 9 –
- Year 9 have 2 X 60-minute biology lessons, 3 X 60-minute Chemistry lessons and 3 X 60-minute physics lessons per fortnight.
- Classes are set based on ability.
- Work is completed in an A5 purple book which students are responsible for.
- Assessments take place at the end of each topic and are out of 40 marks.
- Homework is set for each topic through an online platform – Educake.co.uk.
- Year 9 will begin their KS4 curriculum for all Sciences in the summer term.
Key Stage 4: OVERVIEW
| TRILOGY | TRIPLE | TRILOGY | TRIPLE | |
| YEAR | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| BIOLOGY | BIOLOGY | BIOLOGY | BIOLOGY | |
| Number of lessons per fortnight |
3 |
4 | 3 |
4 |
| CHEMISTRY | CHEMISTRY | CHEMISTRY | CHEMISTRY | |
| Number of lessons per fortnight | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| PHYSICS | PHYSICS | PHYSICS | PHYSICS | |
| Number of lessons per fortnight | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
GCSE students will follow the AQA specification.
If they are completing the “TRILOGY” specification they will achieve two science grades
If they are completing the “TRIPLE” specification, they will achieve three separate GCSE’s in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Student progress is tracked at the end of every topic. The tracking process allows staff to enter students for the most appropriate tier of paper.
There are two tiers of exam papers. Students will be entered according to ability. The foundation tier allows for grades 1-5 to be achieved. The higher tier allows for grades 4- 9 to be achieved.
Trilogy students will sit 6 exam papers in Science in May/June of year 11.
There are:
- Two Biology papers.
- Two Chemistry papers.
- Two Physics papers.
The papers are 1 hour and 15 minutes in duration.
The separate Science students (Triple) will also sit 6 papers, these are the same format as the Trilogy students i.e. :
- Two Biology papers.
- Two Chemistry papers.
- Two Physics papers.
However, the papers are longer in duration, lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Extended Curriculum
- Homework is set by individual teachers. This may be in the form of an exam question, based on websites such as SENECA or EDUCAKE.
Extra curriculum
Science club is offered to students in years 7 and 8.
Brilliant club is offered to those in year 10.
We have a wide range of activities to celebrate British Science week.
Science Biology KS4 long term plan