Science

We aim to deliver a Science curriculum which provides an understanding of the world through enquiry and the knowledge of scientific phenomena.

We want our students to appreciate the historic discoveries that shape the modern world, whilst inspiring them to make their own discoveries that may influence the future. We aim to instill a passion for science through investigative learning, allowing students to ask questions, explore problems and search for solutions using their own ingenuity. We deliver a broad curriculum that enables our students to explore, progress and master key knowledge in the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Key Stage 3

Students at Sandringham study a varied curriculum in Science that covers all three major disciplines, Biology, Chemistry & Physics, as well as the practical aspects of Science. They will have 3 hours per week to cover the National Curriculum content.

In Year 7 students will study

Biology – Cells, Body Systems, Reproduction
Chemistry – Behaviour of Particles, Atoms, Elements & Compounds, Reactivity, Acids and Alkalis
Physics – Forces, Sound, Light, Space

In Year 8 students will study

Biology – Health & Lifestyle, Ecosystems, Adaptation & Inheritance
Chemistry – The Periodic Table, Separation Techniques, Metals & Acids, The Earth
Physics – Electricity & Magnetism, Energy, Motion & Pressure

In Year 9 students study a bridging course which is an extension of the KS3 curriculum and a stretch up to GCSE Science. Students will start their GCSE courses in year 9 after this bridging course is complete.

Key Stage 4

All students will study Science at GCSE either studying Combined Science or Separate Biology, Chemistry & Physics. We follow the AQA specifications – Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) & Biology (8461), Chemistry (8462), Physics (8463).

From September 2020, we will also offer Astronomy as a separate GCSE that students can select as one of their options. GSCE Astronomy cannot be taken as one of /or instead of the core GSCE Science curriculum subjects.

Combined Science is a mixture of all three disciplines that earns students two GCSEs. These are graded 9-1 under the new standards. As a truly combined course, the two grades achieved will be within one grade of each other (e.g. 9-9, 9-8, 8-8, 8-7 etc) and students are unable to study for only 1 GCSE.

The programme of study covers a wide range of topics, with students taking 6 hours of lessons per week, and is examined linearly with 6 exams that are 1h15min long. All of these will take place at the end of Year 11. Along with these exams, students are required to complete several practicals where they will learn all the necessary skills to become outstanding scientists. These will be undertaken in normal lesson time and assessed internally.

The separate Sciences are aimed to stretch students and make them exceptional scientists. Students will earn 3 GCSEs graded 9-1 under the new standards. These are examined and awarded separately.

The programme of study covers a wide range of topics, some of which are specific to the separate sciences and are not studied in the Combined Science course. Students will have 6 hours of lessons a week and is examined linearly with a total of 6 exams that are 1h45min long. All of these take place at the end of Year 11. Along with these exams, students are required to complete several practicals where they will learn all the necessary skills to become outstanding scientists. These will be undertaken in normal lesson time and assessed internally.

Key Stage 5

Biology

A Level Biology is a stepping stone to future study, our specification allows students to develop the skills that universities want to see. We follow the AQA specification (7402) that will support & inspire students, nurture a passion for Biology and lay the groundwork for further study in courses like biological sciences and medicine amongst others.

The topics studied are wide and varied: Biological Molecules; Cells; Organisms Exchange Substances with their Environment; Genetic Information, Variation and Relationships between Organisms; Energy Transfer in and between Organisms; Response of Organisms to their Environment; Genetics and Evolution and Control of Gene Expression.

A Levels are two year courses and are examined linearly. Students will sit three exams that are all 2h long. They also have to complete a number of required practicals that students must complete to pass the course. These are completed in lesson time and are assessed internally; the department have a monitoring visit by the exam board to ensure that these are assessed to the required standard.

Chemistry

A Level Chemistry is a stepping stone to future study, our specifications allows students to develop the skills that they want to see. We follow the AQA specification (7405) that will support & inspire students, nurture their passion for chemistry and lay the groundwork for further study in courses such as chemistry, medicine and pharmacy.

The topics are wide and varied and fall into 3 main categories: Physical chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, Organic chemistry

A Level are two year courses and are examined linearly. Students will sit three exams that are all 2h long. They also have to complete a number of required practicals that students must complete to pass the course. These are completed in lesson time and are assessed internally; the department have a monitoring visit by the exam board to ensure that these are assessed to the required standard.

Physics

A Level Physics is designed to inspire and challenge students. The course will develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with Physics. We follow the AQA specification (7408).

The topics are wide and varied. Students will study: Measurements and errors, Particles and radiation, Waves, Mechanics and materials, Electricity, Further mechanics and thermal physics, Fields and their consequences, Nuclear physics and an options unit.

A Levels are two year courses and are examined linearly. Students will sit three exams in Physics, each is two hours long. Students also have to undertake a number of required practicals that must be completed as part of the course. These are undertaken in lesson time and are assessed internally; students will receive a pass or fail for this element of the course. The department have a monitoring visit by the exam board to ensure that these are assessed to the required standard.

Super Curriculum

To access the Super Curriculum for this subject please visit the Super Curriculum page HERE

How parents/carers can support learning

Parents/Carers can support their child by checking they have completed home based learning tasks, encouraging them to prepare for assessments and generally taking an interest in the fascinating topics they study in Science lessons.

The Science area on Mysandstorm has a lot of useful information for both students and parent/carers, in addition to the wide range of resources available to them to support their learning.