Science
Our Science Department is dedicated to inspiring curiosity and fostering a deep understanding of the natural world. With a primary focus on GCSE Double Award and Single Award Science and A Level Life and Health Sciences. We provide students with the knowledge and skills to explore biology, human health, and the principles that underpin living systems.
GCSE Double Award Science: A comprehensive program covering Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, designed to give students a broad and balanced scientific foundation.
GCSE Single Award Science: Tailored for learners who want a focused approach, ensuring essential scientific literacy and practical skills.
Life and Health Science Specialism: Emphasizing real-world applications in healthcare, medicine, and biological sciences, preparing students for careers in health-related fields.
What Makes Us Stand Out
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Our department prioritizes laboratory work and real-life experiments, ensuring students develop confidence in scientific investigation and problem-solving.
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Equipped with modern labs and technology, we create an environment where students can engage with science beyond textbooks.
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We link classroom learning to future opportunities in healthcare, biomedical research, and life sciences, giving students a clear sense of purpose.
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Our team is committed to making science accessible and exciting for all learners, with differentiated support and enrichment activities.
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We encourage teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills—essential for success in science and beyond.
Curriculum
Key Stage 3
Year 8 – Foundations of Science
Focus: Introducing basic scientific principles and building observational and experimental skills.
Topics:
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Cells, Tissues and Organs – Structure and function of living organisms, introduction to microscopy.
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Mixtures and Separations – Physical separation techniques (filtration, distillation, chromatography).
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Energy and Forces – Types of energy, energy transfer, forces and motion basics.
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Ecosystems – Food chains, habitats, interdependence of organisms.
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The Particle Model – States of matter, particle theory, changes of state.
Skills: Planning and conducting simple experiments, recording observations, interpreting data.
Year 9 – Developing Scientific Understanding
Focus: Expanding knowledge into chemical reactions, electricity, and biological systems.
Topics:
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Sexual Reproduction in Animals – Reproductive systems, fertilization, development.
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Acids and Alkalis – Properties, indicators, neutralization reactions.
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Current Electricity – Circuits, voltage, current, resistance.
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Muscles and Bones – Skeletal and muscular systems, movement and support.
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Atoms, Elements and Compounds – Atomic structure, periodic table basics, bonding.
Skills: Designing controlled experiments, using scientific models, analyzing results.
Year 10 – Applying Science to Real-World Contexts
Focus: Linking concepts to health, environment, and technology.
Topics:
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Food and Nutrition – Balanced diet, digestion, energy in food.
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Combustion – Chemical reactions of fuels, energy release, environmental impact.
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Light – Reflection, refraction, lenses, vision.
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Breathing and Respiration – Gas exchange, aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
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The Periodic Table – Trends, groups, reactivity.
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Earth and Space – Structure of Earth, solar system, universe.
Skills: Critical thinking, interpreting complex data, evaluating scientific evidence.
Experiments: Practical work is integrated throughout, such as:
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Microscope investigations (Year 8)
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Neutralization and pH testing (Year 9)
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Energy content in food and combustion tests (Year 10)
Key Stage 4
Pupils are given the opportunity to select GCSE Single award or Double Award Science.
Double Award Science course:
Unit 1 BIOLOGY 1: Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity | Written examination- 1 hour | 11%of GCSE
UNIT 2 CHEMISTRY 1: Structures, Trends, chemical Reactions, Quantitative Chemistry and Analysis | Written examination- 1 hour | 11% of GCSE
UNIT 3 PHYSICS 1: Motion, Force, Moments, Energy, Density, Kinetic theory, Radioactivity, Fission and Fusion| Written examination- 1 hour | 11% of GCSE
UNIT 4 BIOLOGY 2: Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health | Written examination-1 hour 15 minutes | 14% of GCSE
UNIT 5 CHEMISTRY 2: Chemical Reactions, Rates and Equilibrium, Calculations and Organic Chemistry | Written examination-1 hour 15 minutes | 14% of GCSE
UNIT 6 PHYSICS 2: Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetism and Space | Written examination-1 hour 15 minutes | 14% of GCSE
UNIT 7: PRACTICAL SKILLS | Practical booklet A: 3 x 1 hour | Practical booklet B: 3 x 30 minutes | 7.5% of GCSE and 17.5% of GCSE
Single Award Science Course:
Unit 1 BIOLOGY: Written examination Foundation and Higher Tier 1 hour 25% of GCSE
UNIT 2 CHEMISTRY: Written examination Foundation and Higher Tier 1 hour 25% of GCSE
UNIT 3 PHYSICS: Written examination Foundation and Higher Tier 1 hour 25% of GCSE
UNIT 4 PRACTICAL SKILLS: Practical skills assessment booklet A and booklet B: 7.5% of GCSE and 17.5% of GCSE
Key Stage 5
Pupils have the opportunity to undertake Single or Double Award Life and Health Science.
Single Award Life and Health Science Course:
Unit 1 AS: EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES
You will carry out and produce a portfolio of 12 practicals across the 3 Science disciplines of chemistry, Biology and Physics | Internal Assessment (coursework)
UNIT 2 AS: HUMAN BODY SYSTEMS
You will learn about the body system including the respiratory and circulatory system | Written paper – 1 hour 30 minutes
UNIT 3 AS: ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY IN INDUSRIAL PROCESSES
You will extend your knowledge on chemical processes using in chemical processing plants | Written paper – 1 hour 30 minutes
UNIT 1 A2: SCIENTIFIC METHOD, INVESTIGATION, ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION.
You will compete a portfolio of evidence on a scientific investigation | Internal Assessment (coursework)
UNIT 2 A2: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
You will develop your understanding of organic chemistry | Written paper – 1 hour 45 minutes
UNIT 3 A2: MEDICAL PHYSICS
You will develop your understanding of physiological measurements of the body | Written paper – 1 hour 45 minutes
Double Award Life and Health Science Course:
Unit 1 AS: EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES | Internal Assessment (coursework)
UNIT 2 AS: HUMAN BODY SYSTEMS | Written paper – 1 hour 30 minutes
UNIT 3 AS: ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY IN INDUSRIAL PROCESSES | Written paper – 1 hour 30 minutes
UNIT 4 AS: BRAIN SCIENCE | Internal Assessment (coursework)
UNIT 5 AS: MATERIAL SCIENCE | Written paper – 1 hour 30 minutes
UNIT 6 AS: MEDICINE, DRUGS AND CLINICAL TRIALS | Internal Assessment (coursework)
UNIT 1 A2: SCIENTIFIC METHOD, INVESTIGATION, ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION | Internal Assessment (coursework)
UNIT 2 A2: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | Written paper – 1 hour 45 minutes
UNIT 4 A2: LIGHT AND SOUND | Written paper – 1 hour 45 minutes
UNIT 3 A2: MEDICAL PHYSICS | Written paper – 1 hour 45 minutes
UNIT 5 A2:UNIT 6A2: 2 | Internal Assessment (coursework)
Options include: Microbiology, Analytical Chemistry Techniques and Enabling Technology
