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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:

  1. Chemistry - Atomic Structure and the periodic table
  2. Biology – Cells
  3. 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

General introduction into: Atoms, Elements and The Periodic Table

Particle Behaviour: States of Matter, Density, Kinetic Energy, Thermal Energy Transfer

What are living organisms made of? Cells and Microscopy

Chemical Substance: Metals and Non-metals, Acids and Alkalis

Forces and Energy Transfers, Speed

Reproduction: Plants and Animals

Earth Sciences: Climate and Structure 

Space and Gravity

Interdependence and Variation  

8

Review of the Periodic Table, Atoms and Elements leading to Chemical Substances and Separation Techniques

Forces and Pressure

Breathing and Movement. Heart and Digestion

Types of Chemical Reactions and Chemical Energy

Energy: Work Done, Heating and Cooling

Respiration and Photosynthesis

What holds atoms together? Structure and Bonding

Magnetism and Electromagnetism

Waves

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

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