Science Curriculum Intent

Science provides us with the ability to make sense of all that surrounds us, preparing us for life beyond the classroom. Studying science allows us to develop our thinking skills, improves our ability to solve problems and can opens doors to many other disciplines. At Hebburn Comprehensive, our science curriculum covers the three fundamental discipline – Biology, Chemistry and Physics, giving our pupils the skills and knowledge to understand the world around them.

Key Stage 3 

At KS3 we follow the National Curriculum, drawing on the experience of our department and resources from the wider teaching community to develop a bespoke Scheme of Learning tailored to meet the needs of our young scientists. The course is designed to ignite enthusiasm, create awe and wonder, and build solid foundations to allow a seamless transition into the GCSE course.

Key Stage 4 

Promoting enthusiasm and engagement regardless of the route post 16, is a priority for us in science. We want to encourage our future doctors and engineers are much as we want to instil a lifelong interest in the world around for our pupils who chose a different path when they leave us.

At KS4 we follow the Edexcel specifications Edexcel GCSE Sciences (2016) | Pearson qualifications

Set 1 & 2 study GCSE double award (higher tier) with the opportunity for some of them to attend additional sessions to be entered for the GCSE triple award (GCSE Biology – 1BI0, GCSE Chemistry – 1CH0 and GCSE Physics – 1PH0). All other classes study GCSE double award (GCSE Combined Science – 1SC0) with some pupils, if necessary, to following the Entry Level Certificate (NSC0) alongside the GCSE.

Both the double and the single award routes allow pupils to develop their scientific understanding within each specialism, focusing on working scientifically, developing their maths skills and provides many opportunities to work practically.

KS3 (Modules, Topics)

Year 10

Y10 pupils all follow Edexcel Combined Science

He, Br (Higher) Ag, Cu, Pb, Fe, Zn, Na (Foundation)

Course content covered

Term

Biology

1

CB1 Key concepts in Biology – Cells, transport in cells and enzymes.

2

CB2 Cells and Control CB3 Genetics

3

CB4 Natural selection and genetic modification CB5 Health, disease and the development of medicine

Chemistry

CC1 States of matter CC2 Mixtures CC3 Atomic structure CC4 Periodic table

CC5-7 Bonding CC8 Acids and alkalis

CC8 Acids and alkalis CC9 Calculations involving masses

Physics

SP3 (CP3) Energy SP4 (CP4) Waves SP5 (CP5) Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

SP6 (CP6) Radioactivity SP8 (CP7) Energy – Forces doing work

SP9 (CP8) Forces and their effects SP10 (CP9) Electricity and circuits (Partial)

Year 11

Y11 pupils all follow Edexcel Combined Science. A small group have opted to attend additional classes to allow them to sit Triple Science – Biology, Chemistry & Physics in Summer 2023.

He, Br (Higher) Ag, Cu, Pb, Fe, Na (Foundation)

Course content covered

Term

Biology

1

Biology CB5 Health, disease and the development of medicine Revision for Paper 1 CB6 Plant structure and their functions CB7 Animal coordination, control and homeostasis

2

CB8 Exchange and transport (need to update – Fick’s law, phagocyte vs lymphocyte, cardiac output equation, core practical) CB9 Ecosystems and material cycles

Revision for Paper 2

3

Combined/Triple

Revision

Chemistry

Combined

CC9 Calculations involving masses CC10 Electrolysis CC11 Reactivity CC12 Equilibrium

REVISION FOR MOCK

CC13 Groups

Triple

SC13 Transition metals, Alloys, Corrosion SC14 Qualitative analysis SC15 Dynamic equilibrium

Combined

CC14 Rates CC15 Energy changes CC16 Fuels CC17 Atmosphere

REVISION FOR MOCK

Triple

SC16 Fuel cells SC22 Hydrocarbons SC23 Alcohols and carboxylic acids SC24 Polymers

Combined

Revision

Triple

SC25 Qualitative analysis SC26 Bulk and surface properties

Physics

Combined

SP10 (CP9) Electricity and circuits (Partial) Revision Dec mock: Paper 1 (DA) SP12 (CP10) Magnetism and the motor effect SP13 (CP11) Electromagnetic Induction SP14 (CP12) Particle model (Partial)

Triple

Individual lessons from units SP1-6,

Combined

SP14 (CP12) Particle model (Partial) Revision March mock: Paper 2 SP15 (CP13) Forces and matter

Triple

SP7 Astronomy, SP11 Static Electricity, SP9c Rotational Forces SP12c, SP13a-b

Combined

Revision

Triple

SP13c, SP14e, SP15c-d

We have developed our assessment model to ensure we can address gaps in learning and identify misconceptions in a timely fashion. Each unit of work has formative assessment built into every lesson allowing pupils to reflect on their learning and to develop their understanding. A levelled written task and a summative end of topic test is used to determine progress, inform future planning and to tailor a programme of ‘feedforward’ allowing pupils to address areas of weaknesses and make greater progress.

Key Stage 3

In Y7 pupils arrive with varying background experiences in science. Therefore, we issue all pupils with a baseline data assessment within the first two weeks. The data from this allows us to plan our curriculum to ensure that by the end of Y7, all pupils have the skills and the knowledge required to progress.

At the end of each academic year, our pupils in key stage 3 will complete a formal summative assessment covering all topics they have studied.

Key Stage 4

As pupils move through the GCSE course, pupils complete levelled written tasks and complete at least 1 summative assessment in each topic they study, these topics vary in length so pupils may be assessed several times in a larger topic.

At the end of year 10, pupils will sit a mock exam to assess progress across paper 1. This graded in line with the national agreed boundaries from Edexcel.

In year 11, pupils will sit a further paper 1 mock exam in November and a paper 2 mock exam in February. These are again graded in line with the nationally agreed boundaries from Edexcel.

Biology  

Biologists are scientists who study living organisms. With degree-level or equivalent qualifications, biologists can work in many fields, including the biotechnology industry, food technology, medical research, education, agriculture, and conservation. There are also openings for laboratory assistants and technicians.

Biologists can work in the pharmaceutical industry developing and testing new drugs. Biologists investigate the effects of a disease on the body and how the body responds.

Breweries, dairies, large food-processing and retailing firms all recruit biologists at both technician and graduate level. Food processing has become more and more complex, and new techniques are being developed all the time. Biologists can work in agrochemical and fertiliser industry finding ways to protect crops from pests and disease, and to improve yields. Government-funded research establishments employ biologists at all levels. For example, Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), the Food Standards Agency, Forensic Science Service and Forest Research, part of the Forestry Commission.

Environmental consultancy offers graduates of biological sciences the opportunity to work for clients on issues such as water pollution, waste management, ecological management, land contamination and emission monitoring

The NHS offer many opportunities for biologists include working in a hospital medical laboratory in an area such as:

    • immunology – studying the defence mechanisms of the body
    • histopathology – the study of tissue samples
    • haematology – the study of blood.

A biological scientist needs:

    • a high standard of numeracy and problem-solving skills
    • good powers of observation
    • a careful approach to practical work and accuracy when recording/reading results
    • patience and persistence
    • curiosity and an interest in living things!

Chemistry 

Chemistry is about what substances are made of, how they interact and how they affect our lives. Chemists can work in many areas – industry, the community, medicine, or education. Most opportunities require degree-level qualifications, but it is possible to enter some career areas with lower-level qualifications.

The results of work done by chemists are all around us. Detergents, plastics, packaging, the materials our clothes are made of, petrol, paints… these are just a few examples of the everyday products we use without giving much thought for the chemists involved in their development. Chemists also work on environmental issues and are at the forefront of creating new medicines. As scientific knowledge is constantly changing, chemists must keep up to date through continuing professional development.

Chemistry is a challenging and exciting career for those who:

    • can work in a team
    • can communicate well with people from a range of professional backgrounds
    • think logically
    • are creative
    • have analytical skills
    • are persistent and can pay attention to detail.

Physics  

Physics An understanding of physics helps us to work out how and why things behave as they do and is vital to developments in the modern world. Most opportunities require study to degree level, or beyond, but there are some technician-level jobs for those with qualifications at a lower level.

From space science to nanophysics, from medical treatments to mobile phones, physics makes an impact on virtually every area of our lives. Studying physics offers a challenging but rewarding route to understanding the universe.

When looking at problems or new developments, physicists normally work closely with scientists from other disciplines, and with engineers. Physicists may work for very small companies or for large multi-national organisations.

A physicist’s work may involve:

    • developing theories
    • devising models and simulations
    • organising and conducting tests and experiments
    • writing up observations and findings in reports or scientific papers
    • presenting findings at meetings and conferences.

Homework is set in science to improve retention of information, to support better understanding of key concepts and to prepare pupils for independent learning in the run up to assessments.

Homework is set in science once per topic or once per half term, whichever is most frequent.

Homework is set via Teams as an assignment and is a retrieval practise task on Seneca Learning (see below for access information). This will be work for the current topic in KS3 and Y10 but may be general revision for paper 1 or 2 in Y11. Pupils can complete the tasks on Seneca as many times as they wish, teachers will only record pupil scores after the deadline.

Deadlines are set at least 2 weeks in advance and missed homework will result in a text message home, if subsequent deadlines are missed, pupils will be issued with a detention as per the whole school policy.

Pupil can complete homework with support at the KS3 homework club every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday in room 103 and every night at KS4 in the open area. This is particularly useful to those without access to the internet at home. Paper based homework is available at parental request, this would follow the same deadline as the online work and have the same sanctions in place for missed deadlines.

To further support independent learning, all pupils will receive a link to supporting materials on BBC bitesize on Teams at the start of every new topic. These resources should be used to support any aspects of a topic missed due to absence and to prepare for end of topic assessments. Pupils are also issued with a knowledge organiser to consolidate the key information from the current topic of study. Paper copies of these knowledge organisers are available at parental request.

Accessing Seneca can be done by the link set in Teams by the class teacher or by clicking the link below:

Free Homework & Revision for A Level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2 (senecalearning.com)

Pupils click on the ‘log in’ tab at the top right of the page and then ‘continue with Microsoft’

 

 

This allows pupils to use their school email login details (full school email, same details used in IT lessons – start year, surname and initial @ Hebburn.net e.g. 17SmithA@hebburn.net and school password).

Parents can attach their own email to their child’s account so they can monitor their progress.

Once logged in, pupils can access all assignment set by looking at their classes.