Science Key Stage 4
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 10 science curriculum is based on the Pearson Edexcel Combined Science or Separate science scheme of work.
Both courses follow directly from our Key stage 3 curriculum and are carefully sequenced to develop knowledge accurately overtime.
Year 10 Curriculum
Year 11 Curriculum
Through careful sequencing, we ensure that each new topic builds upon prior learning (substantive knowledge), developing a well-structured ‘schema’ (student understanding of science). Every topic also contains a core practical. This aims to develop scientific enquiry skills within the context of learning, and develop students' ability to practice experimentation (disciplinary knowledge).
For all year groups, we believe in an 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.
- Read and research (We can research)
This is the students' main homework in Science. All homework is in the form of a homework booklet which provides plenty of practice questions for the students to engage with at home.
- 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 have a PROUD check to ensure the standards of their books are high.
- Revise and retrieve (We are organised)
This will be set towards the end of a unit whereby students will revise for their rotation tests which fall every two or three topics.
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