Science - Curriculum Subject Information - Framingham Earl High School

Curriculum Subject Information

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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)

DNA and genetic variation

States of matter and purifying substances.

Motion.

For each section:

Students are given one test to assess the knowledge they have gained over the term.

Spring Term 1

(Dec – Jan)

Plant and animal cells.

Atomic structure.

The periodic table.

Forces and motion – resultant forces and Newton’s second law.

Spring Term 2

(Feb – Mar)

Transporting substances across cell membranes.

Ionic bonding.

Covalent bonding.

Interacting force – momentum, collisions and simple machines.

Summer Term 1

(Apr – Jul)

Cells, growth and control by the nervous system.

Types of substances.

Energy stores and transfers.


 

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

Enzymes and nutrition

Genetics

At the end of each module, students are given one test to assess the knowledge they have gained over that module.

Spring Term

Natural selection and genetic modification

Summer Term

Health, disease and medicine

 

Year 10 Chemistry

Term

Content

Assessment

Autumn Term

Acids and Alkalis.

Calculations involving masses.

Obtaining and using metals.

At the end of each module, students are given one test to assess the knowledge they have gained over that module.

Spring Term

Transition metals, alloys and corrosion.

Electrolytic processes.

Reversible reactions and equilibria.

Summer Term

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

 

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