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Science
Students learn Science at Framingham Earl in six fully equipped laboratory classrooms staffed by qualified Biology, Chemistry and Physics teachers. As a department we aim to engage and enthuse students about the natural world that surrounds them and the science that helps us understand it. Our purpose is to provide our students with the skills, knowledge and understanding to enable them to become scientifically literate citizens; to develop the understanding they have of science from primary school through to Year 7 where they will develop a sound foundation for an academically successful journey to Year 11 and potentially beyond. They will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills; and develop transferable skills for the world of work.
In Key Stage 3 students are taught the fundamentals of Biology, Chemistry and Physics with an emphasis on ‘How Science Works’. Our teaching techniques focus on developing a broad knowledge base in the three science subjects. To support this our lessons focus on the retrieval of knowledge, independent practice of newly gained knowledge and regular questioning. Additionally, students will develop have the opportunity to take part in computer-based research and investigation, practical science activities, group discussion, role play and question and answer sessions.
In Key Stage 3 topics are taught on a rotation basis. This means students won’t necessarily study the topics in the order listed below.
Key Stage 3
Year 7
|
Term |
Content |
Assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn Term 1 (Sept-Dec) |
Working safely in a Science laboratory. Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. The Particle Model. Energy. |
For each section: Online multiple choice quiz (homework) 45 minute in-class test on core knowledge.
|
|
Spring Term 1 (Dec – Feb) |
Muscles and bones. Atoms, elements and compounds. Forces. |
|
|
Spring Term 2 (Feb – May) |
Sexual reproduction in animals. Mixtures and separations Sound. |
|
|
Summer Term 1 (May – Jul) |
Ecosystems. Acids and alkalis. Current and electricity. |
Year 8
|
Term |
Content |
Assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn Term 1 (Sept-Nov) |
Food and nutrition. Combustion. Fluids. |
For each section: Online multiple-choice quiz (homework) 45 minute in-class test on core knowledge. |
|
Spring Term 1 (Nov – Jan) |
Breathing and respiration. The periodic table. Light. |
|
|
Spring Term 2 (Feb – Apr) |
Plants and their reproduction. Metals and their uses. Energy transfers. |
|
|
Summer Term 1 (May – Jul) |
Unicellular organisms. Rocks. Earth and Space. |
Year 9
|
Term |
Content |
Assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn Term 1 (Sept-Nov) |
Core skills
Cells, microscopes and molecules
Atomic structure and the periodic table
Radioactivity |
At the end of each unit, students are given one test to assess their knowledge recall and application. |
|
Spring Term 1 (Dec – Jan) |
Enzymes and food
States of matter |
|
|
Spring Term 2 (Feb – Mar) |
Motion
Evolution |
|
|
Summer Term 1 (Apr – Jul) |
Chemical bonds
Breeding and genetics
Types of substance |
Key Stage 4
During Key Stage 4 students study for the separate Science qualifications at GCSE level following the Edexcel syllabuses. This course means students will gain three separate GCSEs, one in Biology, one in Chemistry and one in Physics. Students can be entered for a higher or foundation level for the exams and this decision is finalised in the January of Year 11.
Students in Year 10 and 11 will build upon solid GCSE preparatory study undertaken in Key Stage 3. Lessons are spent exploring concepts, undertaking a broad range of experiments and analysing scientific data. Practical work will ensure that students are made deeply familiar with the 24 core scientific procedures that are subject to specific exam questions. Students will have completed comprehensive workbooks designed to thoroughly teach and assess understanding of the core practicals.
Internal assessment includes regular testing and guided re-cap of scientific knowledge. All students complete regular added formative tasks exploring key concepts. These help extend learning and consolidate understanding of important bodies of scientific knowledge.
The following tables outline the curriculum for Year 10 and Year 11.
Year 10 Biology
|
Term |
Content |
Assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn Term |
SB1 Enzymes
SB3 Genetics |
At the end of each module, students are given one test to assess the knowledge they have gained over that module. |
|
Spring Term |
SB4 Natural selection and genetic modification
SB5 Health, disease and medicine |
|
|
Summer Term |
SB5 Health, disease and medicine (cont. from Spring term) |
Year 10 Chemistry
|
Term |
Content |
Assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn Term |
Acids and Alkalis. Calculations involving masses. |
At the end of each module, students are given one test to assess the knowledge they have gained over that module. |
|
Spring Term |
Electrolytic processes. Reversible reactions and equilibria. |
|
|
Summer Term |
Transition metals, alloys and corrosion. Quantitative analysis. Dynamic equilibria and calculations. Chemical cells and fuel cells. |
Year 10 Physics
|
Term |
Content |
Assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn Term |
Waves. Light and the electromagnetic. Spectrum. . |
At the end of each module, students are given one test to assess the knowledge they have gained over that module. |
|
Spring Term |
Radioactivity. |
|
|
Summer Term |
Astronomy. Energy: forces doing work. Forces and their effects. |
Year 11 Biology
|
Term |
Content |
Assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn Term |
Plant structures and function. Animal coordination, control and homeostasis. |
At the end of each module, students are given one test to assess the knowledge they have gained over that module. |
|
Spring Term |
Exchange and transport in animals. Ecosystems and materials cycles. |
|
|
Summer Term |
Revision and preparation for exams. |
Year 11 Chemistry
|
Term |
Content |
Assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn Term |
Groups in the periodic table. Rates of reaction. Heat changes in chemical reactions. Fuels. |
At the end of each module, students are given one test to assess the knowledge they have gained over that module. |
|
Spring Term |
Earth and atmospheric science. Hydrocarbons. Alcohols and carboxylic acids. Polymers. Qualitative analysis. Bulk and surface properties. |
|
|
Summer Term |
Revision and preparation for exams. |
Year 11 Physics
|
Term |
Content |
Assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn Term |
Electricity. Static electricity. Magnetism and the motor effect. |
At the end of each module, students are given one test to assess the knowledge they have gained over that module. |
|
Spring Term |
Electromagnetic induction. Particle model. Forces and matter. |
|
|
Summer Term |
Revision and preparation for exams. |
Our exam board is Edexcel:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/sciences-2016.html
