Science
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Curriculum Area and Curriculum Lead(s) |
Science Mr K Morris |
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Curriculum Area vision and general information about the CA e.g. successes and strengths |
The vision for science at THA is to foster a no excuses culture that enables students to achieve through inspiration, exploration and imagination. The science curriculum area is comprised of a collaborative team founded on support, challenge and empowerment to ensure the delivery of a robust and rounded curriculum. This aims to develop above all the scientific thinking skills needed to access the content and develop a critical thinking around wider societal issues. We promote a culture of openness and trust to enhance and develop this vision. We strive to raise standards of achievement across the key stages and to establish effective approaches to learning and teaching that further our whole-school strategy to raise aspirations. We believe that thinking, doing and talking science is the only way to secure excellence and inspire the next generation of scientists. We believe that we should fuel and build on students’ natural curiosity. We do this to engage students in the learning rather than an approach of simply entertaining them. The team ethos is one of high expectations, perseverance and a science curriculum that offers enrichment as well as instruction. Enjoyment of learning leads to increased attainment. |
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KS3 provision summary e.g. topics covered, links to SOW/overviews and homework |
We have recently introduced a new curriculum in Year 7, 8 and 9 in order to build a strong platform for Key Stage 4 study. We are ready to develop this to the next stage with a focus on pedagogy, student skills and scientific integrity. Homework is vital to developing a student’s natural curiosity in science and as part of this in year 7 and 8 we ask students to choose an investigation and bring in their evidence of what they found. The investigations can be found here: www.planet-science.com/categories/experiments.aspx Year 9 follow a bridging curriculum to prepare them for the rigour and demand of KS4. As such we use KS4 style assessment and grading. In terms of their homework and support with the transition we use GCSEPod to support their revision and allow us to assess their learning outside the classroom. This is available at www.gcsepod.com |
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KS4 provision summary e.g. topics covered, links to SOW/overviews and homework |
From Year 10 Students follow the AQA Synergy specification which allows them to achieve 2 GCSEs in combined science. The specification splits the content at KS4 into Life Sciences and Physical Sciences with two exams in each half. This course breaks into 8 units. Units 1-4 are under the Life Sciences umbrella and units 5-8 under the Physical Sciences. Subject content 1. Building blocks 2. Transport over larger distances 3. Interactions with the environment 4. Explaining change 5. Building blocks for understanding 6. Interactions over small and large distances 7. Movement and interactions 8. Guiding Spaceship Earth towards a sustainable future For more information about the content of the units click here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/resources/science/gcse/synergy/teach/schemes-of-work For more information on how this is assessed click here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-synergy-8465/specification-at-a-glance |
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KS5 provision if relevant |
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Staff |
The Science Department consists of four Science teachers and a Technician. At KS3 teachers teach across the three Sciences and tend to specialise as a life sciences or physical sciences teacher at KS4 for synergy.
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Extra-curricular activities |
We have enjoyed success in the annual Salters' Science Festival, achieving second place, and provide numerous trips for our students to a wide range of activities. We have received a significant amount of funding to develop aspirations to study science at FE and beyond which has seen Y10 and 11 students visit Geneva to experience the cutting-edge science at CERN. |
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Exam information and any revision support |
We offer after school support for all year groups each night of the week from a Tuesday to Friday. Details of which staff are available each night will be given to students and updated through the year.
Students also have access to GCSEPod at KS3 to help stretch and challenge their understanding of science. ULTIMATE REVISION GUIDE FOR SCIENCE |