Science
WeST Science departments are committed to providing a Science curriculum that conveys to our students that Science underpins everything in the world around them. We match our curriculum to the abilities and aspirations of our students, to give every child the opportunity to strive for personal excellence in Science whilst staff ensure that they have the highest expectations for each student. Our curriculums will allow all students to be stretched and challenged through appropriate extension and extra curricular opportunities; whilst also supporting those who may be struggling by giving targeted support to embed skills and knowledge. Our curriculums are delivered using methods proven by evidence based research to improve the outcomes for students.
By the end of their Science journey in WeST students will have developed a scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics and are able to carry out practicals purposefully, skilfully and safely whilst being able to apply their scientific knowledge to the practical. Students will use mathematical skills to carry out calculations and draw graphs; analysing data looking for patterns and trends. The Science curriculum encourages independent learners who can plan, monitor and evaluate their learning whilst also teaching the skills needed to be cooperative and building relationships with both peers and adults which promote learning communities within each WeST Science department.
Key Stage 3
| Unit Title | Assessment | Overview |
| Cells | Optional level assessed or test | Observing Cells, Using a Microscope, Compare and Contrast Cells |
| Body Systems | Optional level assessed or test | Consider the levels of organisation in multicellular organisms |
| Reproduction | Optional level assessed or test | Consider the changes involved in puberty, the reproductive systems, development of a fetus and plant reproduction |
| Particles | Optional level assessed or test | Identify the strengths and weaknesses with the particle model, consider states of matter |
| Elements, Atoms and Compounds | Optional level assessed or test | Introduce the periodic table, consider atoms, elements and compounds. Enhance practical skills |
| Reactions | Optional level assessed or test | Carry out chemical reactions, consider word equations, burning fuels and thermal decomposition |
| Acids and Alkalis | Optional level assessed or test | Look at pH, what is an acid/alkali and neutralisation |
| Forces | Optional level assessed or test | Introduction to forces, squashing and stretching, drag force and friction, balanced and unbalanced |
| Sound | Optional level assessed or test | Waves, sound and energy transfers |
| Light | Optional level assessed or test | Light, Reflection, Refraction, the eye and colour |
| Space | Optional level assessed or test | The night sky, the solar system and the earth |
| Health | Optional level assessed or test | Photosynthesis, leaves, chemosynthesis, plant minerals, respiration and food chains and webs |
| Ecosystems | Optional level assessed or test | Competition and adaptation, variation and inheritance |
| Adaptation and Inheritance | Optional level assessed or test | Metals and non metals, groups, elements of specific groups of the periodic table |
| The Periodic Table | Optional level assessed or test | Mixtures, Solutions, Solubility, Filtration, Distillation and evaporation |
| Metals and Acids | Optional level assessed or test | Metals reactions with acids, oxygen, water, metal displacement reactions |
| The Earth | Optional level assessed or test | The earth – it’s atmosphere, carbon cycle, climate change and rocks |
| Electricity and Magnetism | Optional level assessed or test | Charge, Circuits, Current, resistance and electromagnets |
| Energy | Optional level assessed or test | Food and Fuels, Energy transfers linked with particles, radiation, energy and power |
| Motion and Pressure | Optional level assessed or test | Speed, motion graphs, pressure in solids, liquids and gases and turning forces |
Key Stage 4
Whether studying Combined Science or Separate Science students will be taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Brief overview of topics covered – The course divides into approximately 5 Major teaching blocks.
| Teaching Block 1 – |
|
|
| B1.Cell Biology | 1. The 5th unit from Teaching Block 1 | |
| B2 Organisation | P18. Energy | |
| C8. Atomic Structure | P20 Particle Model of Matter | |
| C9. Bonding | B3 Infection and Response | |
| P7. Forces (not including Momentum) | B4 Bioenergetics | |
| C10 Quantative Chemistry | ||
| Teaching Block 3 | Teaching Block 4 | |
| C11. Chemical changes | B6 Inheritance, variation and response | |
| C12. Energy changes | C13 The Rate and Extent of chemical change | |
| P.19 Electricity | C14 Organic Chemistry | |
| P. 22 Forces Momentum | C15 Chemical Analysis | |
| B.5 Homeostasis and response | P21 Atomic Structure | |
| P23 Waves | ||
| B7.Ecology | ||
| C16 Chemical Analysis | ||
| C17 Using Resources | ||
| P. 24 Electricity and Magnetism |
Exam board: AQA – GCSE Combined Science / Trilogy and Separate Sciences
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463/specification-at-a-glance
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461/specification-at-a-glance
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462/specification-at-a-glance
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463/specification-at-a-glance
Exam information
Combined Science – The course is entirely examined at the end of year 11. There are 6 Examinations. Each exam is a written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes • Foundation and Higher Tier.
Biology Paper 1 Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
Biology Paper 2 Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
Chemistry Paper 1 Chemistry topics 8–12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
Chemistry Paper 2 Chemistry topics 13–17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
Physics Paper 1 What’s assessed Physics topics 18–21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
Physics Paper 2 What’s assessed Physics topics 22–24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism
Separate Sciences Examination Information For Each Separate Science – The course is entirely examined at the end of year 11. There are 2 Examinations for each gcse. Each exam is a written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes • Foundation and Higher Tier.
Biology Paper 1 Biology topics 1–4: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
Biology Paper 2 Biology topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
Chemistry Paper 1 Chemistry topics 8–12: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
Chemistry Paper 2 Chemistry topics 13–17: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
Physics Paper 1 What’s assessed Physics topics 18–21: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
Physics Paper 2 What’s assessed Physics topics 22–24: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism
Links to useful websites:
Key Stage 5 – AS/A-Level
Biology
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/biology-7401-7402/specification-at-a-glance
Students study the following areas during the course:
| Year 12 | |
| Topic 1 | Biological Molecules |
| Topic 2 | Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things |
| Topic 3 | Classification and Biodiversity |
| Topic 4 | Exchange and Transport |
| Year 13 | |
| Topic 5 | Energy for Biological Processes |
| Topic 6 | Microbiology and Pathogens |
| Topic 7 | Modern Genetics |
| Topic 8 | Origins of Genetic Variation |
| Topic 9 | Control Systems |
| Topic 10 | Ecosystems |
Examination – Although all assessments will be by examinations, core practical skills will remain an important element in the learning process and a record kept in the form of a lab book.
Exam board: – Edexcel: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/biology-b-2015.html
Physics
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408/specification-at-a-glance
Overview of topics covered:
| 1 Measurements and their errors |
| 2 Particles and radiation |
| 3 Waves |
| 4 Mechanics and materials |
| 5 Electricity |
| C9. Bonding |
| 6 Further mechanics and thermal physics |
| 7 Fields and their consequences |
| 8 Nuclear physics |
| Options |
| 9 Astrophysics |
| 10 Medical physics |
| 11 Engineering physics |
| 12 Turning points in physics |
| 13 Electronics |
Exam board: AQA Physics 7407 / 7408
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408/spec-at-a-glance
Exam Information:
Assessments
Paper 1 – 2 hours written
Sections 1 to 5 and 6.1 (Periodic motion)
Paper 2 – 2 hours written
Sections 6.2 (Thermal Physics), 7 and 8
Assumed knowledge from sections 1 to 6.1
Paper 3 – 2 hours written
Section A Compulsory section: Practical skills and data analysis
Section B: Students enter for one of sections 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13
Links to useful websites
- 1. Khan Academy Rated
- Khan Academy – https://www.khanacademy.org/#Physics An impressive collection of simple and clearly explained video tutorials about a range of physics topics (as well as maths, chemistry and more) suitable for secondary school level students. Make sure you have your sound turned on.
- 2. The Physics Classroom Rated – http://www.physicsclassroom.com/ The Physics Classroom
Comprehensive physics website started by a teacher covering forces, motion and optics, waves and electricity. Lots of animations, simulations and other handy learning tools. - 3. School for Champions Rated – http://www.school-for-champions.com/physics.htm#.V4TJzbgrK1s School for Champions
Lesson notes on many physics topics presented in a straightforward manner. Quizzes at the end of each section focus thoughts and give you an idea of how much you understand. - 4. S-Cool Revision – GCSE and A level Rated – http://www.s-cool.co.uk/ S-Cool Revision – GCSE and A level – http://www.cyberphysics.co.uk/index.html 5. Cyberphysics Rated
Cyberphysics
A useful revision site for GCSE and A level students, created by a physics teacher.
Chemistry
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/chemistry-2015.html
| AS Unit 1: | The Core Principles of Chemistry | Assessment: Examination of 1 hour 30 minutes | Content summary: This unit provides opportunities for students to develop the basic chemical skills of formulae writing, equation writing and calculating chemical quantities. The study of energetics in chemistry is of theoretical and practical importance. In this unit students learn to define, measure and calculate enthalpy changes. They will see how a study of enthalpy changes can help chemists to understand chemical bonding. The study of atomic structure introduces s, p, and d orbitals and shows how a more detailed understanding of electron configurations can account for the arrangement of elements in the periodic table. The unit introduces the three types of strong chemical bonding (ionic, covalent and metallic). |
| Unit 2: | Application of Core Principles of Chemistry | Examination of 1 hour 30 minutes | Content summary: This unit develops the treatment of chemical bonding by introducing intermediate types of bonding and by exploring the nature and effects of intermolecular forces. Study of the periodic table is extended to cover the chemistry of groups 2 and 7. Ideas about redox reactions are applied, in particular, to the reactions of halogens and their compounds. The unit develops a largely qualitative understanding of the ways in which chemists can control the rate, direction and extent of chemical change. Organic chemistry in this unit covers alcohols and halogenoalkanes. The treatment is extended to explore the mechanisms of selected examples. Students have to use formulae and balance equations and have an understanding of chemical quantities. Aspects of green chemistry and climate change are also studied. Assessment: in three sections. |
| AS Unit 3: | Chemistry Laboratory Skills I | Internally assessed, Availability | Content summary: This unit contains practical assessments that cover the content of Units 1 and 2. |
| A2 Unit 4: | General Principles of Chemistry I | Examination of 1 hour 40 minutes | Content summary: In this unit students make a quantitative study of chemical kinetics and take further their study of organic reaction mechanisms. The topics of entropy and equilibria show how chemists are able to predict quantitatively the direction and extent of chemical change. The organic chemistry in this unit covers carbonyl compounds, plus carboxylic acids and their derivatives. Students are required to apply their knowledge gained in Units 1 and 2 to all aspects of this unit. This includes nomenclature, ideas of isomerism, bond polarity and bond enthalpy, reagents and reaction conditions, reaction types and mechanisms. Students are also expected to use formulae and balance equations and calculate chemical quantities. |
| A2 Unit 5: | General Principles of Chemistry II | Examination of 1 hour 40 minutes | Content summary: In this unit the study of electrode potentials builds on the study of redox in Unit 2, including the concept of oxidation number and the use of redox half equations. Students will study further chemistry related to redox and transition metals. The further organic chemistry section of this unit focuses on arenes and organic nitrogen compounds such as amines, amides, amino acids and proteins. Students are expected to use the knowledge and understanding of organic chemistry that they have gained over the whole GCE in Chemistry when covering the organic synthesis section. This unit draws on all other units within the GCE in Chemistry and students are expected to use their prior knowledge when learning about these areas. Students will again encounter ideas of isomerism, bond polarity and bond enthalpy, reagents and reaction conditions, reaction types and mechanisms. Students are also expected to use formulae and balance equations and calculate chemical quantities. |
| A2 Unit 6: | Chemistry Laboratory Skills II | Internally assessed | Content summary: This unit contains practical assessments that cover the content of Units 1 and 2. |
Exam Board: Edexcel – Chemistry Pearson
Useful Websites:
Key Stage 5 Applied Science
| Unit titles | Assessment mode | Unit Overview |
| Mandatory Unit: Principles and Applications of Science 1 | Written Exam – set and marked by Pearson | Aim: To understand core Science concepts. Atoms, electronic structure, structure and working of cells, how the body stays healthy, diagnosing illness and waves |
| Mandatory Unit: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques | Set and marked internally | Aim: To carry out practical laboratory techniques correctly and accurately. Practicals relate to the chemical industry, medicine and pharmaceuticals, education, forensic investigation and many more |
| Mandatory Unit: Science Investigation Skills | Task – set and marked by Pearson | Aim: To research and carry out scientific investigations. Learn how to plan an investigation, record results appropriately, process and analyse your results, draw scientific conclusions and evaluate your work. |
| Optional Unit: Physiology of Human Body Systems | Set and marked internally | Aim: To learn how three body systems – musculoskeletal, lymphatic and digestive are designed to allow the system to function. |
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/applied-science-2016.html