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Science
Intention:
At Twickenham School we believe that science forms an essential part of a broad and balanced education. The aim of the Twickenham School Science Department is to ensure that all students enjoy science, are aware of the applications of science beyond the classroom and leave us with a passion for science. We will achieve this in a number of ways:
- building on prior learning in order to develop a life-long enthusiasm for science
- encouraging all students to consider further study of science and entry to scientific careers post-16 and beyond
- developing students’ interest in science in the wider world through activities such as school visits, science clubs and competitions.
We will make sure that all students have the opportunity to make outstanding progress in science in the following ways:
- by recognising each students’ current needs and ensuring they receive the appropriate level of challenge
- by using a wide variety of teaching methods, including hands-on practical work
- by using assessment to inform students on how to further improve their learning
- by ensuring very able scientists are suitably challenged and are encouraged to study separate sciences at GCSE
Specialist teaching - Science is taught by specialism, Biology, Chemistry & Physics
Key Stage 3
The Key Stage 3 science curriculum is fully compliant with the national curriculum and is sequenced to ensure that topics are delivered in a logical way in order to develop students’ knowledge and skills. The curriculum is also being developed to ensure early introduction on knowledge and skills relevant to GCSE sciences, for example, by introducing some of the key ideas such as the structure of the atom at an early stage.
Twickenham School has developed a number of links with local primary schools in order to carefully build on student's prior learning. For example, offering on-site science lessons for Key Stage 2 students and running joint science clubs.
Year 9 begins with a key skills in science course followed by a transition course which reviews all of the key knowledge and skills from Key Stage 3 and then builds on this to ensure that students are well prepared for GCSE sciences. Students may begin GCSE science courses during summer term of Year 9 by following the units:
- Chemistry - Atomic Structure and the periodic table
- Biology – Cells
- Physics - Energy
Key Stage 4
Students currently either opt to follow the AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics or AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy courses.
Implementation - curriculum sequence
| Year | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 |
Forces: Speed and Gravity Electromagnets: Voltage, Resistance, Current Energy: Energy Costs and Energy Transfer Waves: Sound and Light |
Matter: Particle Model and Separating Mixtures Reactions: Metals and Non-Metals and Acids and Alkalis Earth: Earth Structure and Universe |
Organisms: Movement and Cells Ecosystem: Interdependence and Plant Reproduction Genes: Variation and Human Reproduction |
| 8 |
Forces: Contact Forces and Pressure Electromagnets: Magnetism and Electromagnetism Energy: Work, Heating and Cooling Waves: Wave Effects and Wave Properties |
Matter: Periodic Table and Elements Reactions: Chemical Energy and Types of Reaction Earth: Climate and Earth Resources |
Organisms: Breathing and Digestion Ecosystem: Respiration and Photosynthesis Genes: Evolution and Inheritance |
| 9 |
Working scientifically- key skills in science numeracy and scientific literacy |
Atomic Structure, Periodic table and Structure & Bonding Cell Biology and cell division |
Cell Biology and cell division Physics - Energy
|
Year 10 and 11 Combined Sciences
| Year | Autumn HT1 | Autumn HT2 | Spring HT1 | Spring HT2 | Summer HT1 | Summer HT2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 CS |
Biology - Organisation Chemistry - Bonding, structure and the periodic table |
Physics - Energy Biology - Infection and response Chemistry - Quantitative Chemistry / Chemical Changes |
Physics - Electricity Biology - Bioenergetics |
Chemistry – Energy Changes Physics – Particle model of matter and Atomic Structure |
Chemistry - Rate and extent of chemical change |
Biology - Inheritance, variation and evolution |
| 11 CS |
Biology - Homeostasis and response Chemistry - Rate and extent of chemical change Physics - Forces |
Physics - Forces Chemistry - Organic Chemistry Biology - Inheritance, variation and evolution |
Biology - Inheritance, variation and evolution Physics - Waves |
Physics - Waves Physics - Magnetism and electromagnetism Chemistry - Chemical Analysis Chemistry of the atmosphere and Using resources Biology - Ecology |
Revision and GCSE Preparation |
Year 10 and 11 Biology
| Year | Autumn HT1 | Autumn HT2 | Spring HT1 | Spring HT2 | Summer HT1 | Summer HT2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 B | Organisation | Infection and response |
Bioenergetics |
Bioenergetics Homeostasis and response |
Homeostasis and response |
Homeostasis and response Mock Exams |
| 11 B |
Genetics and Reproduction Variation and Evolution |
Genetic and evolution: (history of genetics, theories of evolution, accepting Darwin idea’s) Genetic and evolution: (Evolution & Speciation to New systems of Classification) Ecology |
Homeostasis and response, up to plant hormones Temperature control and Kidney |
Revision and GCSE Preparation | Revision and GCSE Preparation |
Year 10 and 11 Physics
| Year | Autumn HT1 | Autumn HT2 | Spring HT1 | Spring HT2 | Summer HT1 | Summer HT2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 P | Energy | Electricity |
Electricity Atomic structure |
Atomic structure |
Waves |
Particle model of matter Mock Exams |
| 11 P |
Forces and forces and motion |
Forces and forces and motion Waves |
Waves Electromagnetism |
Electromagnetism Space |
Revision and GCSE Preparation |
Year 10 and 11 Chemisty
| Year | Autumn HT1 | Autumn HT2 | Spring HT1 | Spring HT2 | Summer HT1 | Summer HT2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 C |
Bonding, structure and the periodic table |
Quantitative chemistry |
Chemical changes |
Chemical changes Energy changes |
Energy changes The rate and extent of chemical change |
The rate and extent of chemical change Mock Exams |
|
11 C |
Organic chemistry |
Chemical analysis Chemistry of the atmosphere Using resources |
Revision and GCSE Preparation |
Revision and GCSE Preparation |
Revision and GCSE Preparation |
The Science department follows the AQA GCSE specification, which can be found here:
https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/science/specifications/AQA-8464-SP-2016.PDF
https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/physics/specifications/AQA-8463-SP-2016.PDFhttps://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/chemistry/specifications/AQA-8462-SP-2016.PDFhttps://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/biology/specifications/AQA-8461-SP-2016.PDF
