"Science is nothing but trained and organised common sense"

- Thomas Huxley

 

Curriculum Vision

The Science Department develops pupils who are critical thinkers, problem solvers and innovators. At the conclusion of their school career, our pupils will be able of apply their scientific knowledge to contemporary issues, making connections between scientific disciplines, and their implications for other disciplines. This will empower them to act as informed citizens and help them feel more confident in the decisions they may need to make on their own.

Key Stage 3

The Science department at Heathcote empowers pupils to question the environment that surrounds them, and not to take everything at face value. The application of the scientific method is paramount to the development of Scientific Literacy in pupils of all ages. We strongly believe that a good Science education provides the foundations for a fulfilling and rewarding life.

Through our engaging, broad and practical-thinking curriculum, pupils build on prior knowledge and move forwards to new concepts, enabling all of them to take charge of their learning and make great progress.

Pupils in Years 7 to 9 follow an integrated Science course based upon the National Curriculum. This includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This course is taught through the use of key questions. Opportunities for practical work and specific feedback are built into all topics taught, to ensure pupils are thinking deeply about the concepts involved. The Key Stage 3 curriculum has been adapted to ensure a smooth progression into Key Stage 4.

Topics assessed in each Challenge Week (KS3)

Year Group	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Year 7	Topics on rotation: • Cells, tissues, organs and systems. • Sexual reproduction in animals. • Energy. • Mixtures and separation.	Topics on rotation: • Muscles and bones. • Current electricity. • Acids and alkalis. • The particle model.	Topics on rotation: • Exploring the world. • Sound. • Forces. • Atoms, elements and molecules. • Breathing and respiration.
Year 8	Topics on rotation: • Combustion. • Food and nutrition. • Plants and their reproduction. • Fluids.	Topics on rotation: • Metals and their uses. • Unicellular organisms. • The periodic table. • Light.	Topics on rotation: • Earth and space. • Rocks. • Energy transfers. • Plant growth. • Making materials.
Year 9	Topics on rotation: • Reactivity. • Genetics and evolution. • Forces and motion. • Force fields and electromagnets.	GCSE topics on rotation: • Cell structure. • Cell division. • Principles of organisation/ Animal tissues, organs and organ systems. • Plant tissues, organs and systems. • A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes. • The periodic table. • Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes. • Conservation and dissipation of energy.	GCSE topics on rotation: • Cell structure. • Cell division. • Principles of organisation/ Animal tissues, organs and organ systems. • Plant tissues, organs and systems. • A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes. • The periodic table. • Energy changes in a system, and the ways energy is stored before and after such changes. • Conservation and dissipation of energy.

 

Key Stage 4

Combined Science (AQA Trilogy)

This course builds on the skills and knowledge you have developed at Key Stage 3. You will study elements of Biology, Chemistry and Physics throughout the two years, with exams in the Summer at the end of Year 11. For this subject, pupils will gain two GCSE grades in Science (rather than separate grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics).

Ideas are introduced within relevant and interesting settings which help pupils to anchor their conceptual knowledge of the range of scientific topics required at GCSE level. Practical skills are embedded within the specification and pupils are expected to carry out practical work, demonstrating their understanding of the relevance of the work itself through specific questions in the exam papers.

ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

All exams are taken at the end of Year 11.
There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas.

For the six papers:
Written exam will be 1 hour 15 minutes. There will be a Foundation and Higher Tier. Each paper will contribute 16.7% of the Combined qualification. The questions will be a combination of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer, and open response.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE

Biology GCSE

1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology

Chemistry GCSE

8. Atomic structure and the periodic table
9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
10. Quantitative chemistry
11. Chemical changes
12. Energy changes
13. The rate and extent of chemical change
14. Organic chemistry
15. Chemical analysis
16. Chemistry of the atmosphere
17. Using resources

Physics GCSE

18. Energy
19. Electricity
20. Particle model of matter
21. Atomic structure
22. Forces
23. Waves
24. Magnetism and electromagnetism

Topics assessed in each Challenge Week (KS4)

Year group	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
11	Topics on rotation: • Homeostasis and response • Inheritance, variation and evolution • Ecology • Quantitative chemistry • Chemical changes • Energy changes • The rate and exchange of chemical change		Topics on rotation: • Organic chemistry • Chemical analysis • Chemistry of the atmosphere • Particle model of matter • Atomic structure • Forces		Topics on rotation: • Using resources • Waves • Magnetism and electromagnetism
10	Topics on rotation: • Cell Biology • Organisation • Atomic structure and the periodic table • Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter		Topics on rotation: • Infection and response • Quantitative chemistry • Energy • Electricity		Topics on rotation: • Bioenergetics • Chemical changes • Energy changes • Atomic structure • Forces

 

Triple Science

Year group	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
11	Topics on rotation: Biology Homeostasis and response Inheritance, variation and evolution Chemistry Chemical changes Energy changes The rate and exchange of chemical change Physics Atomic structure Forces		Topics on rotation: Biology Homeostasis and response Inheritance, variation and evolution Chemistry Organic chemistry Chemical analysis Chemistry of the atmosphere Physics Waves Magnetism and electromagnetism		Topics on rotation: Biology Ecology Chemistry Using resources Physics Space physics
10	Topics on rotation: Biology Cell Biology Organisation Chemistry Atomic structure and the periodic table Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter Physics Energy Electricity		Topics on rotation: Biology Infection and response Bioenergetics Chemistry Quantitative chemistry Chemical changes Physics Particle model of matter		Topics on rotation: Biology Homeostasis and response Chemistry Energy changes The rate and exchange of chemical change Physics Atomic structure Forces