“The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie
The Science Department aims to do so much more than just “teach science”, but to impart on students the life skills that they will need throughout life. Science matters for all, as Neil DeGrasse Tyson states, whether you believe aspects of it or not, it is undeniable fact, and it matters for all irrespective of career choice when older. From the Mobile Phones we use to communicate to the awareness of the food that we eat, science drives so many aspects of our lives.
The Science Department seek to teach; Curiosity, Resilience, Critical Thinking, Self-Motivation, Creativity, Communicative skills, Reasoned Judgements, Problem-Solving, Adaptability and to foster the love of discovery. All valuable life skills that will aide your son or daughter whatever their future holds.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, Years 7 and 8 have 3 One Hour lessons of Science Per Week. Our AQA GCSE specifications describe content and processes that students need to demonstrate competence and understanding in to help begin their GCSE studies. These areas are developed in the AQA KS3 science syllabus so that students enter Key Stage 4 (KS4) with a level of proficiency. Pupils are set in two bands of four and three sets that are created on information received from their Primary schools, as well as internal assessments for Years 8 & 9.
The students are taught using booklets, with Core Questions underpinning the knowledge that students must utilise to understand for a unit. Your son will have access to these in his Booklet for a Topic that will allow him to revise and review content that he is studying in that topic and aide his knowledge for the topic.
In Year 9, Students move to beginning studying the GCSE Content in Science from the Spring Term onwards, introducing them to the introductory topics which prove a keen foundation for their learning over the following 2 years. The students are additionally taught how to approach ideas and work as a Scientists and additionally how to use Maths in Science.
| Topics Studied at Key Stage 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
| Autumn | C1 – Chemistry Fundamentals
P1 – Energy Stores and Generating Electricity B1 – Cells and Specialised Cells |
HSW – How Science Works
B3 – Human Reproduction C3 – Separating Mixtures P3 – Light and Sound |
P4 – Electricity
B6 – Biological Systems and Disease C5 – The Earth and the Atmosphere |
| Spring | C2 – States of Matter
B2 – Photosynthesis and Respiration P2 – Forces and Pressure |
C4 – Chemical Reactions P4 – Electricity B4 – Respiration and Circulation
|
AQA GCSE B1 – Cell Biology
AQA GCSE B2 – Cell Dvision AQA GCSE C1 – Atomic Structure AQA GCSE C2 – The Periodic Table
|
| Summer | HSW – How Science Works
B3 – Human Reproduction C3 – Separating Mixtures |
C5 – The Earth and the Atmosphere
B5 – Inheritance and Evolution P5 – Space |
AQA GCSE P1 – Conservation and Dissipation of Energy
AQA GCSE P2 – Energy Transfer by Heating AQA GCSE P3 – Energy Resources
|
Key Stage 4
AQA GCSE Science Specification
At KS4 pupils learn about a wider range of scientific ideas, and consider ideas taught at KS3 in much greater detail. Students have to look at not only the fundamentals in Science but also the ethical, cultural and environmental issues that Science and Research plays in society. Students need a keen knowledge about the role of experimental technique and methods, alongside why scientists complete and formulate theories.
They see how scientists work together to develop new ideas, how new theories may, at first, give rise to controversy and how social and cultural contexts may affect the extent to which theories are accepted.
Unless selected to study Separate Sciences, pupils will study for 2 GCSEs as part of their KS4 course, and will be reported a combined Science Grade.. We follow the AQA Trilogy syllabus, and the details of these courses can be found below in the exam specifications.
Assessments – KS3/4
At the end of each unit students will complete a 50 – 55 minute assessment in a Topic with the questions being out of 40 – 50. The assessments that students sit at St. Bonaventure’s in Years 7 – 11 are comprised of the same format which should be familiar to all students.
Knowledge Section:- In this section, every question is worth one mark, and the questions are simpler recall questions with the focus on recalling information from the unit studied or a previous unit they have studied with their teacher
Multiple Choice Section:- Students are given 5 multiple choice questions where they must apply their knowledge to select the correct answer.
Application Section:-The final applications requires students to apply their knowledge from this topic to the examination style questions given. The number of marks required is stated on the question. Students can use your answers from the knowledge section to help you.
Revision Materials Folder
If you are a Year 10/11 Student wanting to access resources shared by teachers or a parent/carer who wants access to materials for additional work to be completed by your son, find the Year 11 Revision Folder here: Year 11 Revision Folder
The folder contains the following:-
- Exam Papers for Separate Sciences and Combined Science Trilogy (Both Higher and Foundation Tiers)
- Revision Timetable Templates for Science
- Specific Resources for each Subject Area – These include Mastery Booklets, Retrieval Roulettes, SLOP (Shed Loads of Practice) Booklets, Structure Strips, Topic Tests, Required Practical Resources
This is an abundance of resources to support revision and additional work by your son to aide them in working towards high GCSE Grades.
Exam Specifications
| YEAR 10 AQA GCSE SCIENCE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term | AQA TRILOGY | TRIPLE SCIENCE |
| Autumn | Organisation & The Digestive System
Infection and response Bioenergetics Respiration Bonding & Structure Quantitative Chemistry Chemical Changes |
Organisation & The Digestive System
Infection and response Bioenergetics Respiration Bonding & Structure Quantitative Chemistry Energy Resources Electric Circuits |
| Spring | Communicable Disease and Preventing Disease
Electricity Electrolysis Energy Changes Radioactivity – Atomic Structure Introduction to Forces |
Communicable Disease and Preventing Disease
Chemical Changes Electrolysis Energy Changes Radioactivity – Atomic Structure Introduction to Forces |
| Summer | Forces & Motion
Waves Properties and Electromagnetic Waves Adaptations, Interdependence and Competition.
|
Forces & Motion
Pressure The Human Nervous System Hormonal Response and Co-ordination Rates and Equilibrium Crude Oil and Organic Reactions |
| YEAR 11 AQA GCSE SCIENCE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term | AQA TRILOGY | TRIPLE SCIENCE |
| Autumn | Homeostasis in Action
Hormonal Co-ordination and Response Reproduction & Variation Genetics & Evolution Forces Motion and Acceleration |
Homeostasis in Action
Hormonal Co-ordination and Response Reproduction & Variation Genetics & Evolution Reaction Rates and Equilibrium Crude Oil and Fuels Motion and Acceleration Forces & Pressure Wave Properties |
| Spring | Organisms in an Ecosystem
Biodiversity Electromagnetism Reaction Rates and Equilibrium Crude Oil and Fuels Chemical Analysis The Earth’s Atmosphere The Earth’s Resources
|
Reproduction & Variation
Genetics & Evolution Adaptations & Interdependence Organisms in Ecosystems The Earth’s Atmosphere The Earth’s Resources Wave Properties Light Electromagnetism |
| Summer | Reteach – Cell Biology
Reteach – Energy Revision |
Space
Electrolysis and Energy Changes Reteach Organisms in Ecosystems |
Key Stage 5
All 3 Sciences are offered at A Level, and the entry requirements can be seen in our Sixth Form Prospectus.
The aims and objectives of the Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology, Chemistry and Physics are to enable students to develop:
- Essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other.
- Demonstrate a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods.
- Competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem solving skills.
- Interest in, and enthusiasm for, the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject.
- Understanding of how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.
- Edexcel GCE Biology A (Salters-Nuffield – 9BN0)
- Edexcel A Level Chemistry Specification
- Edexcel GCE Physics (9PH0) Specifiction
KS5 Textbook Checkout Form for Current Students
Contacts
Miss N Logier – Curriculum Leader for Science [n.logier@stbons.org]
Mr J Czernuszka – Assistant Curriculum Leader for Science – [j.czernuszka@stbons.org]
Dr J Higgs – Assistant Curriculum Leader for Science [j.higgs@stbons.org]
