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Home | Curriculum | Science

Science

Introduction

Science at KS3

The Science Faculty at Ken Stimpson School aims to provide a broad and balanced curriculum accessible to all pupils, regardless of ability, gender, race, culture or background.  We will endeavour to build on the primary curriculum in a continuous and progressive manner. 

We will provide specialist, well-resourced facilities that are both safe and stimulating for the pupils to develop their scientific knowledge, curiosity and enthusiasm through a practical investigation based curriculum.  This will test the pupils problem solving and investigative skills as well as helping to inform attitudes and opinions on current science discoveries and events.

 

The pupils will be encouraged to put knowledge and understanding of the application of Science in a social and ethical context and to make sound evaluations of evidence.  Other key skills such as numeracy and literacy will be developed through the Science curriculum.

 

Science at GCSE?

Science at GCSE level aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of scientific theories, but also their ability to apply that knowledge, analyse and evaluate information, in practical and everyday scenarios. It gives students good life skills, regardless of the future path they follow.

At the end of Year 11 students will finish their compulsory studies in science. These students will have gained valuable GCSEs in science, which are well respected by employers, who view good grades for GCSEs in science as an indication that a person has mastered a difficult discipline. A good proportion of students enjoy their sciences at GCSE so much that they go on to study science at A Level. This may lead them into a career straight from school but more likely could lead into a variety of university courses, either science or non-science based.

Routes through science

There will be a guided choice of two main routes to science GCSEs, either a two-GCSE Combined Science, or a three-GCSE separate science route (consisting of GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics). The majority of students will take the combined route.

A small group of students who may struggle with the complexities of GCSE Science will be offered the opportunity to complete an entry level course in science: Entry level certificate in Science and possibly an additional qualification in Further entry level.

Combined Science

This is a two-GCSE sized (double award) qualification covering the three science disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students are awarded a grade based on their overall performance across these three disciplines.

 

Combined science students will sit six exams at the end of the course as shown below.

Mr Delve
Head of Faculty
Year 7

Topic

Half Term

Assessment

Being a Scientist

Autumn term 1

Formative assessment
Baseline test – To assess Primary school science knowledge

Body works

Groups rotate through the topics

End of topic test

Building matter

End of topic test

Moving forward

End of topic test

STEM Activities

Summer term 2

Formative assessment

Year 8 - 2019-2020

Topic

Half Term

Assessment

Food and Nutrition

Groups rotate through the topics

End of topic test

Breathing and Respiration

End of topic test

Combustion

End of topic test

Periodic Table

End of topic test

Metals

End of topic test

Fluids

End of topic test

Light

End of topic test

Energy Transfer

End of topic test

End of KS3 Exam

Summer term 2

Summative assessment

STEM activities

Formative assessment

Year 8 - 2020 onwards

Topic

Half Term

Assessment

Living Earth

Groups rotate through the topics

End of topic test

Bonfire Night

End of topic test

Energy everywhere

End of topic test

End of KS3 Exam

Summer term 2

Summative assessment

STEM Activities

Formative assessment

Ken Stimpson Academy
Staniland Way
Werrington
PE4 6JT (Sat Nav users: PE4 6WR)