Science
Science at Worthing High School involves:
- A challenging and varied curriculum
- Excellent, exciting enrichment activities for all
- A robust grading and target setting system
- Extremely high standards of teaching and learning
- Dynamic staff who really love Science teaching
- Subject specialists delivering content
Information about the Science Department
Curriculum Vision
All students will develop a love of science and through their learning they will develop transferrable skills in preparation for life beyond school. All students will develop to become critical thinkers that can use analytical problem solving to effectively overcome challenges. Our students will be reflective, resilient and will learn from their mistakes continuously striving for improvement.
Curriculum Intent
KS3 Curriculum intent:
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The principal focus of our curriculum in key stage 3 is to develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
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Pupils should begin to see the connections between these subject areas and Science, student’s become aware of some of the big ideas underpinning scientific knowledge and understanding.
Examples of these big ideas are:
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Links between structure and function in living organisms,
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The particulate model and the resources and means of transfer of energy.
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Relating scientific explanations to phenomena in the world around
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Use modelling and abstract ideas to develop and evaluate explanations.
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Pupils should understand that science is about working objectively, modifying explanations to take account of new evidence and ideas and subjecting results to peer review. Pupils should evaluate their results and identify further questions arising from them.
KS4 Curriculum intent
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Teaching science at key stage 4 continues with the process of building upon and deepening scientific knowledge and the understanding of ideas developed in earlier key stages in the subject disciplines.
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Studying science at key stage 4 provides the platform for more advanced studies, establishing the basis for a wide range of careers. For some, it will be their last formal study of subjects that provide the foundations for understanding the natural world and will enhance their lives in an increasingly technological society.
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Science is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity so all students are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.
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Students will be taught to appreciate the achievements of science towards complex and diverse phenomena of the world.
These key ideas include:
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The use of conceptual models and theories to make sense of the observed diversity of natural phenomena
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The assumption that every effect has one or more cause
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That change is driven by interactions between different objects and systems
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That science progresses through a cycle of hypothesis, practical experimentation, observation, theory development and review
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That quantitative analysis is a central element both of many theories and of scientific methods of inquiry.
Curriculum Sequencing
|
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
Term 4 |
Term 5 |
Term 6 |
Year 7 |
Biology: Cells
Chemistry: Lab Safety and Atomic Structure
Physics: Forces |
Biology: Respiratory System
Chemistry: Particle Model
Physics: Gravity Pressure |
Biology: Digestive System
Chemistry: Separation techniques
Physics: Speed |
Biology: Movement
Chemistry: The Periodic Table
Physics: Energy
|
Biology: Reproduction
Chemistry: Acids and Bases
Physics: Energy Costs |
Biology: Variation
Physics: Heating and Cooling Work |
Year 8 |
Biology: Plant Reproduction
Chemistry: Types of Chemical Reactions
Physics: Wave Properties |
Biology: Respiration
Chemistry: Chemical Energy
Physics: Light |
Biology: Photosynthesis
Chemistry: Reactions of Metals and Non-Metals
Physics: Sound |
Biology: Interdependence
Chemistry: Earth Structure
Physics: Current |
Biology: Inheritance
Chemistry: Earth’s Resources
Physics: Voltage and Resistance Magnetism |
Biology: Evolution
Chemistry: Climate
Physics: Universe
|
Year 9 |
Biology: Biology bridging course/Cell Biology
Chemistry: Chemistry bridging course/Atomic structure
Physics: Physics bridging course/Energy |
Biology: Cell biology
Chemistry: Bonding and structure
Physics: Energy |
Biology: Organisation A
Chemistry: Atomic structure
Physics: Energy |
Biology: Organisation B
Chemistry: Bonding and structure
Physics: Particle model of matter |
Biology: Organisation B
Chemistry: Quantitative Chemistry
Physics: Particle model of matter |
Biology: Organisation B
Chemistry: Quantitative Chemistry
Physics: Particle model of matter
Exam technique (for all) |
Year 10 |
Biology: Infection and response
Chemistry: Chemical changes
Physics: Atomic structure |
Biology: Bioenergetics
Chemistry: Energy changes
Physics: Electricity |
Biology: Bioenergetics/Homeostasis
Chemistry: Energy changes
Physics: electricity |
Biology: Homeostasis
Chemistry: Rates of reaction
Physics: Electricity |
Biology: Homeostasis B
Chemistry: rates of reaction
Physics: waves |
Biology: Homeostasis B
Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Physics: waves/forces |
Year 11 |
Biology: inheritance
Chemistry: Chemical analysis
Physics: Forces and motion |
Biology: Inheritance
Chemistry: Organic chemistry/chemistry of the atmosphere
Physics: Motion/magnetism |
Biology: Ecology
Chemistry: Chemistry of the atmosphere/using resources
Physics: Magnetism/waves |
Biology: Ecology
Chemistry: using resources
Physics: space/forces |
Biology: revision
Chemistry: revision
Physics: revision |
Biology: exams
Chemistry: exams
Physics: exams |
Aims of the science department
- To inspire students to take Science further to college and university.
- To ensure all students develop sound practical skills.
- To encourage students to enthusiastically explore and question the world around them.
- To encourage every student to fulfil or exceed their potential in a supportive environment.
Departmental Staff
- AHT Leader of Science – Mr T Izod
- Second in Science, KS4 lead – Mr A Kent
- KS3 lead – Miss T Miah
- Ms H Schuler (PSHE Lead)
- Ms S Green
- Ms A Worley (HPA co-ordinator)
- Ms J Emerton
- Ms J Petrie (Year 10 Assistant progress leader)
- Ms C Farrell
- Mr S Swift (Deputy Headteacher)
- Mr P Gill (Year 10 Progress leader)
- Science Technicians – Mrs H Doyle, Mrs E Silver-Burr
Facilities
- 7 specialist Science Laboratories
- 4 mobile fume cupboards
- Department nature pond
- 2 Prep rooms
Our Philosophy
Anything can be achieved if you work hard, with enthusiasm and resilience. We aim to promote a keen interest in the Scientific world around us. Constantly question why and how?
KS3 (Year 7 & 8)
Students at KS3 are following modules of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They will carry out practical work and will sit formative assessment, during the terms as well as summative topic tests at the end of each half term.
We run a popular Science club on Tuesday after school investigating and developing experimental techniques and extending students understanding and knowledge of Science. Students participating in Science club also work towards attaining CREST awards for Science (additional national qualification, see http://www.crestawards.org/ for more info).
KS4 (Year 10 and 11)
At KS4 all students will be completing the AQA triple (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or combined trilogy GCSEs. The courses are graded by students taking 6 exams (2 of each discipline) at the end of year 11. 100% of the final grade is based on these exams.
Over the course of their GCSEs students will take a number of end of topic tests with mock exams being given at the end of year 10 and periodically over year 11.
For further information, please see the AQA website links below:
Combined Science Trilogy: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464
Biology: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461
Chemistry: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462
Physics: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
Students in year 7 and 8 will alternate their independent learning between completing a project for a half term or being set appropriate online activities on Educake.
Students in year 9 and 10 will be set a base level of independent learning on Educake and will be given additional activities where appropriate for revision and further development.
Students in year 11 will follow the Tassomai course designed to provide a differentiated individual guide through GSCE Science. In addition, class teachers will also set assignments where and when appropriate.
We expect all students in all years to spend time revising and preparing for exams. We will publish specific resources on google classrooms but other useful websites are:
BBC Bitesize: www.bbc.com/education/subjects/z7nygk7
For all sciences: https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/
Save my exams: https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/gcse/#AQA
Additional Sessions
Period 6 - Wednesday in C7
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – Lunchtime catch up (B3)
Thursday – Lunchtime Science helpdesk (C6)