Science

The Science Department is striving to offer an excellent science education to students of all ages and abilities. Each year, we build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years by testing knowledge and skills regularly and providing extra support where needed.

We aim to give students the skills they need to become independent and critical thinkers of the scientific world around them. Practical work is a large part of students Science education at Garth Hill College and we give students as many opportunities as possible to be hands on in the classroom and learn through investigation.

Through our broad curriculum covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics we want to guide students to the vast career opportunities in Science and show them the importance of Science in society.

Science subject leader: Mr Phillips

If you have any queries or concerns, please email J-Phillips@garthhillcollege.com

Science-Years 7,8 and 9

Content

Year 7

Year 8

Assessment

Each topic, pupils will sit an end of topic test. Each test will cover Aspect 1 (Knowledge and Understanding) and Aspect 2 (Working Scientifically). Aspect 3 (Practical Skills) will be assessed during practical activities.

Home Learning

In year 7 and 8, pupils must complete 7 quizzes every 7 days. They are each only about 5 minutes long and up to two can be completed each day.

These quizzes can be accessed at http://progressquiz.web.app using their school email address and password.

Other Home Learning will be set based around building students literacy skills, reading of Scientific articles and consolidation of content taught over a topic.

Year 9

In year 9 students will have separate teachers in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students build on the key stage 3 curriculum and start studying GCSE topics.

Biology subject content:

Cell biology
Moving and Changing Material
Photosynthesis

Biology Learning Journey

Chemistry subject content:

Atomic structure and the periodic table
Energy changes
The rate and extent of chemical change
Chemistry of the atmosphere

Chemistry Learning Journey

Physics subject content:

Particle model of matter
Energy
Electricity

Physics Learning Journey

Home Learning

Each half term students will be set the following home learning in Science:

Reading and comprehension of a Scientific article. This aims to improve students scientific vocabulary.
Seneca. This is an online platform where students will secure their knowledge of content taught in class.
Revision techniques. e.g. mind maps / flash cards / revision posters.

How Parents and Carers Can Support

Lead family discussions on science-related topics. Dinnertime might be an ideal time for your family to have discussions about news stories that are science based, like space shuttle missions, severe weather conditions, or new medical breakthroughs. Over time, children will develop a better understanding of science and how it affects many parts of our lives. Films and TV shows with science-related storylines are also great topics for discussion.
Do science together. Children learn better by investigating and experimenting. Simple investigations done together in the home can bolster what your child is learning in the classroom. Check with your child's teacher on what your child is currently learning in class and what activities you can explore at home. There are also many books on the market and numerous websites that present ideas for investigations.
Obtain science resources. Follow up science discussions, home experiments, or classroom lessons with books, magazines, apps, online, and other resources. Science themes will be reinforced through further exploration, and over time your family will have plenty of resources on which to draw.
Explore non-formal education sites. In an informal learning situation - the kind of learning that happens outside the traditional confines of the classroom, at science centres, museums, zoos, and aquariums—children are encouraged to experiment on their own and ask questions about what they are experiencing.
Connect science with a family holiday. Family holidays are a great way to explore science. It could be a hiking trip where you explore nature or a discussion on tides during a beach holiday.
Help pupils with their home learning. Complete Seneca home learning together on a regular basis. Use this to research topics in more detail.

Additional Support Available/Useful Links

Reading List

AQA Activate for KS3: Student Book 1
AQA Activate for KS3: Student Book 2
CGP KS3 Revision Guide

Assessment Framework

Science Assessment Framework - Key Stage 3

Assessment Schedules

Assessment Schedule - Year 7

Assessment Schedules - Year 8

Assessment Schedules - Year 9

Knowledge Organisers

Year 7 Knowledge Organisers: Click here - Microsoft 365 password required for access to Year 7 KO's

Year 8 Knowledge Organisers: Click here - Microsoft 365 password required for access to Year 8 KO's

Science GCSE - 10 and 11

Biology subject lead - Mrs. Zullo

Chemistry subject lead - Mr. Phillips

Physics subject lead - Mr. Fitzgerald

Exam Board and syllabus code

AQA, Combined Science (8462)

Set 1 Year 10 and 11 Only:

AQA, Biology (8461)
AQA, Chemistry (8462)
AQA, Physics (8463)

Content

Over years 10 and 11 pupils will be studying the following topics:

Biology subject content:

Health Matters
Coordination and Control
Genetics
Variation and Evolution
Ecology in Action

Chemistry subject content:

Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
Quantitative chemistry
Chemical changes
Organic chemistry
Chemical analysis
Sustainable development

Physics subject content:

Atomic structure
Forces
Waves
Magnetism and electromagnetism
Space

Assessment

This is a linear qualification. In order to achieve the award, pupils must complete all assessments at the end of the course and in the same series.

GCSE exams in Science include questions that allow pupils to demonstrate:

their knowledge and understanding of the content developed in one section or topic, including the associated mathematical and practical skills or
their ability to apply mathematical and practical skills to areas of content they are not normally developed in or
their ability to draw together different areas of knowledge and understanding within one answer.

A range of question types will be used, including multiple-choice, short answer and those that require extended responses. Extended response questions will allow pupils to demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured. Extended responses may be in written English, extended calculations, or a combination of both, as appropriate to the question.

Pupils will sit 2 papers for each Biology, Chemistry and Physics which will be 1 hour 15 each and will achieve 2 GCSE in Combined Science.

Those pupils within sets 1 in year 11, will have the opportunity to achieve GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and achieve 3 GCSEs. These pupils will sit two exams for each subject 1 hour 45 each.

All pupils will be given the opportunity to do at least 8 required practicals for each Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). This practical work will then be assessed within the two written papers.

Home Learning

Each half term students will be set the following home learning in Science:

Reading and comprehension of a Scientific article. This aims to improve students scientific vocabulary.
Seneca. This is an online platform where students will secure their knowledge of content taught in class.
Revision techniques. e.g. mind maps / flash cards / revision posters.

How Parents and Carers Can Support

Lead family discussions on science-related topics. Dinnertime might be an ideal time for your family to have discussions about news stories that are science based, like space shuttle missions, severe weather conditions, or new medical breakthroughs. Over time, children will develop a better understanding of science and how it affects many parts of our lives. Films and TV shows with science-related storylines are also great topics for discussion.
Do science together. Children learn better by investigating and experimenting. Simple investigations done together in the home can bolster what your child is learning in the classroom. Check with your child's teacher on what your child is currently learning in class and what activities you can explore at home. There are also many books on the market and numerous websites that present ideas for investigations.
Obtain science resources. Follow up science discussions, home experiments, or classroom lessons with books, magazines, apps, online, and other resources. Science themes will be reinforced through further exploration, and over time your family will have plenty of resources on which to draw.
Explore non-formal education sites. In an informal learning situation - the kind of learning that happens outside the traditional confines of the classroom, at science centres, museums, zoos, and aquariums—children are encouraged to experiment on their own and ask questions about what they are experiencing.
Connect science with a family holiday. Family holidays are a great way to explore science. It could be a hiking trip where you explore nature or a discussion on tides during a beach holiday.
Help pupils with their home learning. Complete Seneca home learning together on a regular basis. Use this to research topics in more detail.

Additional Support Available/Useful Links