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Science
Science teaches us an understanding of natural phenomena and aims to stimulate our natural curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way they do. At Claremont, pupils gain a well-rounded foundation of knowledge which is built on every year. Pupils carry out many different practical’s which allows them to develop various investigative skills which are transferable to everyday life and their future.
In Key Stage 3, Science is taught as one subject, and all three main disciplines are given equal time. At Key Stage 4, we offer GCSEs in Chemistry, Physics and Biology as well as Combined Science. Our GCSE results are consistently outstanding.
The Sciences are incredibly popular choices at A-level reflecting the dedication and hard work of the Science Faculty. The demand for Sixth Form places and separate sciences at GCSE was recognised by our governors, leading to extensive reconstruction and new, additional laboratories.
Staff and Facilities
The Science Faculty is lucky to have 17 purpose-built science laboratories and Specialist Science Staff who all teach their specialism in Key Stage 4 and 5. We also have a dedicated team of technicians who provide us with the practical work that is crucial to helping children develop an understanding of the processes and theories in the subject. Each room has an interactive whiteboard and we also encourage the use of ICT to facilitate learning.
Programme of Study
Year 7 & 8
Pupils in year 7 and 8 follow an adapted version of the Exploring Science scheme of work which allows them to develop their knowledge and scientific skills from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 and provides them with a strong foundation for the Key Stage 4 science curriculum.
Topics
Topics covered in year 7 and 8 are:
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Year 7 Topic |
Year 8 Topics |
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Core Practical lessons
Pupils will complete various core practicals related to each of the sciences. This allows them to develop their practical skills and data handling. In order to support pupils they are provided with a lab book in year 7 which is used up until year 8.
Year 7 Core Practicals:
- Using Microscopes
- Investigating Variation
- Yeast Respiration
- Testing Indigestion Remedies
- Separating Mixtures
- Investigating Speed
Year 8 Core Practicals:
- Investigating Photosynthesis
- Investigating Chemical Reactions
- Energy Reactions
- Voltage, Current and Resistance
- Investigating Insulation
- Investigating Electromagnets
Checklists
Pupils are provided with a checklist at the start of each topic and are encouraged to use this throughout the topic and when revising for assessments.
(Click on a topic in the table above to view that topic's checklist)
Assessments
A 35 minute assessments will take place at the end of each topic within lessons. Pupils should consolidate their work using the checklist and expect to be assessed on any of the criteria listed.
A 50 minute end of year exam takes place towards the end of the year whereby pupils are assessed on all topics covered during the year by then.
These results are recorded on Go4Schools and are available for pupils and parents to view.
Expectations
Pupils are expected to complete all classwork and homework within exercise books provided in a neat and legible manner and within the time provided. Science lessons missed due to illness or other reasons should always be caught up on in order to prevent gaps in knowledge. This can be done by encouraging pupils to see their class teacher to collect any work missed.
Resources
Pupils have log-ins to two online resources SAM Learning and Pearson Active Learn. They can log in, complete various tasks, check their progress and monitor this over time. Their class teacher is also able to set work for them and check their progress. Pupils should be encouraged to complete two tasks every week to consolidate their learning and practice their application of knowledge.
Pupils are also encouraged to see their class teacher outside of lessons if they are struggling with any content or scientific concepts.
Year 9
In Year 9, students begin learning key concepts of all three subjects. This enables them to have more time to adapt to the challenges of the new 9-1 course, and make an informed decision about continuing to Separate or Combined Sciences in Year 10.
Topics taught in year 9:
(Click on a topic to view that topic's checklist)
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Science |
Topic |
Assessments |
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Biology |
An end of topic assessments take place after every topic and is recorded on Go4Schools. |
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Chemistry |
CC1 States of Matter & CC2 Methods of separating and purifying substances |
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Physics |
From the start of Year 10, students can follow two routes:
- Separate Science students will achieve three GCSEs in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
- Combined science students will achieve two GCSEs which reflect their attainment across topics from all three Sciences.
Year 10&11 Combined Science
The exam board is Edexcel for all courses and the GCSEs are awarded under the new 9-1 grading system. All assessment at GCSE is by examination at the end of Year 11. There is no coursework.
At the end of year 11 combined science pupils will sit six exam papers, two for each science. Below lists further information about the exams (Papers 1 to 6):
- First assessment: May/June (at the end of year 11).
- The assessment is 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- The assessment is out of 60 marks.
- The assessment consists of six questions.
- Students must answer all questions.
- The paper will include multiple-choice, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions.
- Calculators may be used in the examination.
- Available at foundation tier and higher tier.
- Students must complete all assessments for this qualification in the same tier.
- The foundation tier paper will target grades 1–5.
- The higher tier paper will target grades 4–9.
- 16 marks of the paper will be overlap questions that appear in both the foundation and higher tier papers.
Year 10 Combined Science
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Science |
Topic |
Assessments |
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Biology |
CB4 Natural Selection and Genetic Engineering |
An end of topic assessments take place after every topic and is recorded on Go4Schools. |
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Chemistry |
CC9 Calculations involving masses CC11 Obtaining and using metals & CC12 Reversible reactions and equilibria |
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Physics |
CP5 Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum |
Year 11 Combined Science
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Science |
Topic |
Assessments |
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Biology |
CB9 Ecosystems and Material Cycles |
An end of topic assessments take place after every topic and is recorded on Go4Schools. |
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Chemistry |
CC13 Groups in the Periodic Table CC14 Rates of reaction & CC15 Heat energy changes in chemical reactions |
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Physics |
CP10 Magnetism and the motor effect |
Practical Lessons
Pupils will complete various core practicals related to each of the sciences. This allows them to develop their practical skills and data handling. In order to support pupils they are provided with a lab book in year 9 which is used up until year 11. Practical skills are assessed in the written examinations at the end of the course and can be up to 30% of the paper.
Resources
There are various resources available to support pupils:
Pearson Active Learn - a digital learning environment that provides students with an online version of the textbooks and access to interactive online tasks (pupils should have their own log in to access this)
Revision guides and workbooks - available to buy at a reduce rate from the school shop
SAM Learning - a digital learning environment which provides pupils with various online tasks that can be marked instantly and fed back to both pupil and teacher (pupils should have their own log in to access this)
Teachers - students can come and see their teacher outside of lesson time with any queries or questions.
Extra-curricular opportunities
The Science department offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities including Science club, trips, workshops, lectures and challenge activities including the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad for Sixth Formers and Royal Society of Biology Challenge in Year 10.