Vision

Deliver a curriculum that empowers students to become highly knowledgeable, skilled and scientifically literate people. 

We aim to engage students with the wonder of science, igniting a passion to explore the natural phenomena that surround them.

Curriculum Overview

Sequencing, Setting and Support

Our Year 7 – 9 science curriculum is based on the Pearson Edexcel Exploring Science scheme of learning, and is focussed on developing knowledge and skills overtime. Each discipline (Biology, chemistry and Physics) has been uniquely sequenced over the three-year period based on 5 ‘Big Ideas’ (adapted from the Best Evidence Science Teaching - BEST.

Biology	Chemistry	Physics
The cellular basis of life	Particle model of matter	Energy
Heredity and life cycles	Substances and their properties	Forces and motion
Organisms and their environment	Chemical reactions	Sound and light (Waves)
Variation, adaptation and evolution	Earth Chemistry	Electricity and magnetism
Health and disease	Environmental chemistry	Earth and Space

Through careful sequencing we ensure that each new topic builds upon prior learning (substantive knowledge) developing a well structure ‘schema’ (student understanding of science). Every topic also contains a core practical, this aims to develop scientific enquiry skills within the context learning and develop student ability to practice experimentation (disciplinary knowledge).

For all year groups we believe in inclusive setting and as such all of our classes are mixed ability. Research (based on 58 studies) shows that on average the impact of setting within the science classroom has an additional gain of 0 months progress (EEF, 2021), and in fact has an impact of -3 months on our most vulnerable, disadvantaged and lower attaining students.

Our classes will cover content by providing a variety of tasks to enable students to engage. We appreciate that learning can be difficult for even the best of us, so we endeavour to provide as many supportive resources to guide our students, especially our SEND students, to reach their learning goals. Teachers aim to adapt lessons to support those who need it most and will often provide additional sentence starters, model examples, word mats and key questions.

Alive Themes in Science

Assessment in Science

Homework and how Parents/Carers Support Learning

All homework is set on Bromcom which is an app and website available to students and parents/carers. Further information is available on our Homework page.

These are the principles which underpin our homework.

In science, homework is set fortnightly and can take any one of the different task below.  

1. Read and research (We can research) 
   This is the students main homework in Science. It involves various activities including reading and comprehension tasks, independent research, creative design and practice. All homework is in the form of a homework booklet.  

2. Review and Reflect (We are organised) 
   This is an optional homework set by teachers in which students will comment on teacher feedback and make improvements to their work. They will also could a PROUD check to ensure the standards of their book are high. 

3. Revise and retrieve (We are organised) 
   This will be set towards the end of a unit whereby students will revise for the end of topic multiple choice question assessment. They are expected to make mind maps/flash cards to help them remember the key knowledge of the unit.  
   They may also be given a carousel homework – key knowledge quizzes to help them retrieve and retain information 

Useful Science Resources

Here are some links to useful science resources: 

Free Science Lessons (useful for visual learners e.g. videos) 

Seneca (useful for knowledge and students who learn by reading and practice)