Science

Exam Board: Edexcel

Course: GCSE (1-9) Combined Science 1SC0
               Triple Award GCSE Biology 1BI0, Chemistry 1CH0, Physics 1PH0

Members of Staff:

    Mr S Rockett, Head of Science
    Mrs S Bolton
    Dr A Healy
    Mr D McMillan
    Miss K Saunders
    Miss A Floyd

VISION

Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Through building up a body of key knowledge and concepts, pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. Science can provide the platform for more advanced studies establishing the basis for a wide range of careers by developing the logical, methodical scientific learning process of all pupils.

Introduction

The Science Department at Debenham High School is committed to providing a first class education in Science, covering topics relevant to young adults in a contemporary setting. ICT, enrichment activities, and interactive activities are used along with traditional experimentation and textbook work.

programme of study

Each subject programme of study will:

• Provide a clear and coherent learning journey
• Foster subject-based understanding of new knowledge, concepts and methods
• Ensure students acquire knowledge and give opportunities for recall and application of this knowledge so that fluency is developed
• Require students to think and reason for themselves
• Explanations and resources enable students to engage with and master learning
• Learning should develop a depth of understanding that brings richness to the subject but also a breadth of understanding that enriches wider life and learning
• Develop a readiness for the next stage: be this the next lesson, the next unit of work, the next year or key stage; it prepares students for both academic, A Level, and future degree study, or vocational learning
• Contain appropriate, regular and robust assessment methods for measuring student progress and to allow intervention where progress is not as expected.

In order to see an overview of the sequence and progression of learning please see their Programme of Study:

   Science Programme of Study

Trips and Visits

•  Year 7 pupils go to Colchester zoo to look at adaptation and habitat of mammals
• Year 9,10 and 11 pupils have the opportunity to visit various universities and schools for lectures and activities - ranging from Institute of Physics lectures at Woodbridge school, to electricity workshops at the Cavendish Laboratory at the Faculty of Physics at Cambridge University

KEY STAGE 3

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 pupils follow the Collins Science scheme of work and follow all aspects of National Curriculum.

Topics covered include:

Year 7

• Cells, tissue and organs
• Reproduction
• Forces and Speed
• Particles and Reactions
• Classification and Food Webs
• Light and Sound
• Separating Mixtures
• Food and Digestion webs

Year 8

• Health and Disease
• Photosynthesis and respiration
• Atoms, elements and compounds
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Space
• Energy Transfers
• Variation
• Acids and Alkalis

KEY STAGE 4

Pupils start the GCSE Course in Year 9, which is continued through Years 10 and 11. At the end of Year 9, some pupils will be selected to join an accelerated programme to take Separate Science. Other pupils will study Combined Science, but may choose Separate Science in Year 10 as part of the option selection.

Course Title: GCSE (9-1) Combined Science (1SC0)

Content - This is a course leading to a double award GCSE in science.

Assessment

There will be 6 written papers lasting 70 minutes each, with 6 questions totalling 60 marks.  Each paper will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short answer questions, open response questions and calculations.

The papers will be at higher (targeting grades 4-9) and foundation tier (targeting grades 1-5).

Assessments will expect pupils to demonstrate knowledge and understanding, apply knowledge and understanding and analyse information and ideas.

Each paper contributes 16.7% of the final mark. 

Course Title: GCSE (9-1) Biology (1BI0), Chemistry (1CH0) and Physics (1PH0)

Content - This is a course leading to single GCSE awards in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Assessment

There will be 6 written papers lasting 105 minutes each, with 10 questions totalling 100 marks.  Each paper will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short answer questions, open response questions and calculations.

The papers will be at higher (targeting grades 4-9) and foundation tier (targeting grades 1-5).

Assessments will expect pupils to demonstrate knowledge and understanding, apply knowledge and understanding and analyse information and ideas.

Each paper contributes 16.7% of the final mark.