Welcome to the Science Department

Here in our science department we have six laboratories: two for chemistry, two for physics and two for biology. The laboratories are served by a team of experienced technicians. The majority of lessons take place in the laboratories where practical work is integral to the courses. All six laboratories have interactive whiteboards, and the department has a good range of ICT resources to aid in teaching.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

Classes are taught in groups of 30/32 and have three 50-minute lessons a week. Year 7, 8 & 9 students are issued with textbooks at the start of each year. The textbooks used are Hodder Science A, B & C for years 7, 8 & 9 respectively. The Hodder Gold books are available for some students in years 7, 8 & 9 to replace the standard books, if teachers feel certain pupils require additional support.

At the end of every two units of work in KS3 students sit an internal assessment to consolidate their understanding of the topics. These tests are composed of questions from earlier SATs exam papers. These assessments can help both teachers and pupils to pinpoint certain pupils’ weaknesses and focus on them later. The level of difficulty increases as one progresses through the test paper, similar to the SATs papers that are taken at the end of year 9.

Students in Years 7- 9 have homework twice a week and each piece should usually take up to:

Y7       -           30 min

Y8       -           40 min

Y9       -           45 min

 

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

Classes are taught in groups of 24/25 and have six 50-minute lessons a week; each class is taught by 2 teachers. They study Edexcel 360 Science in Year 10 and Edexcel 360 Additional Science in Year 11.  A small number of pupils will take separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 

At the end of each module the students sit for a test, the tests are marked according to the GCSE standard.

Students in Years 10 and 11 get homework once a week from each teacher and each piece usually takes up to 60 min. 

External Module examinations are taken in years 10 and 11 usually in November, March and June.   

 

Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form)

Classes are taught by specialist teachers. Biology and Chemistry are taught in the Sixth form.

 

Staff

C Callaghan     Curriculum Leader

Mrs P Bahl    

Ms A Patel                  

Mr A Kutten             

Ms P Burns                

Mrs M Anthony           

Ms H Davies         

Mrs R Padmanathan      Technician

Expectations

Every lesson you will need to bring the following:

• Exercise book
• Textbook
• Pen
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Rubber

Presentation

• Underline the date and title
• Specify whether each work is either class work or homework by writing either c/w or h/w within the margin, at the beginning of each piece. 

Scheme of Work

Key Stage 3 (Year 7-9)

Year 7

Topics covered:

• Environment
• Genes
• Electrical and chemical signals
• Use, misuse and abuse
• Patterns in properties
• Making changes
• There’s only one Earth
• Designer products
• Producing and measuring electricity
• You’re in charge
• Now you see it, now you don’t
• Space and its mysteries

 

Year 11

Topics covered:

• Inheritance and selection
• Structure and bonding
• Waves and radiation
• Environment
• Patterns of chemical change
• Forces