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Science and Health Education

Science

Members of Staff and Roles/Responsibilities

Michelle Kellock Curriculum Team Leader
Catherine Mynott Deputy Team Leader
Jane Shearer Responsible for Biology
Mathew Taunton Responsible for Physics
Mehnaz Rashid Teacher of Science
Leonie Ball Teacher of Science
Ruth Dunning Teacher of Science
Nurnahar Miah Teacher of Science
Hamida Yusuf Teacher of Science
Martin Moores Technical Support
Purmina Maisuria Technical Support

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Subject Overview

The study of science fires student’s curiosity about phenomena in the world around them and offers opportunities to find explanations. It engages learners at many levels, linking direct practical experience with scientific ideas. Experimentation and modelling are used to develop and evaluate explanations, encouraging critical and creative thought. Students learn how knowledge and understanding in science are rooted in evidence. They discover how scientific ideas contribute to technological change – affecting industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. They trace the development of science worldwide and recognise its cultural significance. They learn to question and discuss issues that affect their own lives, the direction of societies and the future of the world.

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KS3 Structure

The Key Stage 3 curriculum has a new framework for Year 7 students in 2008-09. Students in Years 8 and 9 in 2008-09 studying  will continue with the current Key Stage 3 programmes of study.

The new revised  Key Stage 3 programmes of study include:

  • Key concepts – deepen and broaden student’s knowledge, skills and understanding.
  • Key processes -  are essential skills and processes in science.
  • Curriculum opportunities – are integral to student’s learning and engagement with the concepts, processes and content of the subject.
  • Range and content :
  1. Organisms behaviour and health
  2. Chemical and material behaviour
  3. Energy, electricity and forces
  4. The environment, Earth and the universe

The learning objectives within the content are linked to Blooms Taxonomy. These require students to move from the lower level thinking skills of describing, sorting and recognising in Year 7 to the higher level thinking skills required to explain, construct, apply and evaluate by Year 9.   

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KS3 Content

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9

Organisms, behaviour and Health.
Life processes:

Variation and Interdependence:

Behaviour:

Chemical and material behaviour.
Particle Models:
Chemical reactions:
Patterns in chemical reactions:
Energy, electricity and forces.
Energy transfers and electricity:
Forces
The environment, Earth and the universe.
Changing environment and sustainability
Changing Earth
Earth, space and beyond:
How science works.
Explanations, arguments and decisions.
Scientific thinking: developing explanations using ideas and models:

Scientific thinking: challenge and collaboration in the development of explanations:
Scientific thinking: developing arguments.
Applications, implications and cultural understanding:
Communication for audience and with purpose:
Practical and enquiry skills.
Using investigative approaches: planning an approach.
Appropriate approaches to answer scientific questions.
Using investigative approaches: selecting and managing variables.
Using investigative approaches: assessing risk and working safely.
Using investigative approaches: obtaining and presenting primary evidence.
Working critically with primary evidence
Working critically with secondary evidence

Organisms, behaviour and Health.
Life processes:

Variation and Interdependence:

Behaviour:

Chemical and material behaviour.
Particle Models:
Chemical reactions:
Patterns in chemical reactions:
Energy, electricity and forces.
Energy transfers and electricity:
Forces
The environment, Earth and the universe.
Changing environment and sustainability
Changing Earth
Earth, space and beyond:
How science works.
Explanations, arguments and decisions.
Scientific thinking: developing explanations using ideas and models:

Scientific thinking: challenge and collaboration in the development of explanations:
Scientific thinking: developing arguments.
Applications, implications and cultural understanding:
Communication for audience and with purpose:
Practical and enquiry skills.
Using investigative approaches: planning an approach.
Appropriate approaches to answer scientific questions.
Using investigative approaches: selecting and managing variables.
Using investigative approaches: assessing risk and working safely.
Using investigative approaches: obtaining and presenting primary evidence.
Working critically with primary evidence
Working critically with secondary evidence

Organisms, behaviour and Health.
Life processes:

Variation and Interdependence:

Behaviour:

Chemical and material behaviour.
Particle Models:
Chemical reactions:
Patterns in chemical reactions:
Energy, electricity and forces.
Energy transfers and electricity:
Forces
The environment, Earth and the universe.
Changing environment and sustainability
Changing Earth
Earth, space and beyond:
How science works.
Explanations, arguments and decisions.
Scientific thinking: developing explanations using ideas and models:

Scientific thinking: challenge and collaboration in the development of explanations:
Scientific thinking: developing arguments.
Applications, implications and cultural understanding:
Communication for audience and with purpose:
Practical and enquiry skills.
Using investigative approaches: planning an approach.
Appropriate approaches to answer scientific questions.
Using investigative approaches: selecting and managing variables.
Using investigative approaches: assessing risk and working safely.
Using investigative approaches: obtaining and presenting primary evidence.
Working critically with primary evidence
Working critically with secondary evidence

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KS4 Structure

In Year 10 all students study Core Science leading to one GCSE.  In Year 11 some students will continue Core Science but most students will study Additional Science leading to a further GCSE qualification.  For higher ability students there is a two year option to extend their Science qualification to three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  This latter option would better prepare students wishing to take Science at A1 and A2 level.

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KS4 Content

Year 10 Year 11
Human Biology
Evolution and
Environment
Products from Rocks
Oils, Earth and atmosphere
Energy and Electricity
Radiation and the universe
How Science Works 

How Science works
Enzymes
Genetics                                
Homeostasis                                    
Atomic Structure                              
Rates of Reaction                            
Ions and Solutions
Forces                                               
Electricity and its uses         
Radiation

Extra subjects cover in Year 11 by the separate science group

Transport of materials                                   
Micro organisms and their uses
Periodic Table
Acids and Alkalis
Chemical Analysis                             
Forces and Planets                           
Light and Sound
Stars

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Additional Information

The curriculum at both Key Stages is enriched through a wide variety of opportunities available during lessons, lunchtimes and after school. There is also input from science ambassadors and lecturers from the two Leicester Universities who deliver aspects of science to students in the science clubs, lessons and lunchtime workshops. Our students have the opportunity to take part in workshops at both Universities which not only enhances their science knowledge but also inspires that to consider science as a future career option.

To view forthcoming opportunities in Science and reviews of events and trips please click here

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