Science KS3 & KS4

Joint Heads of Faculty: Mrs A Driver and Miss A Bateman

Second in Faculty: Miss F Seabrook

Our aim for Science teaching at Claydon High School is to give our students the knowledge, understanding and skills required in a way that creates intrigue and excitement about the subject. We endeavour to develop understanding of how principles within the classroom relate to the real world. We are proud that all of our teaching staff have a love of Science and enjoy sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm. The department works together very closely as a team to provide the best support they can to all students.

The Science department has a staff of nine teachers, all of whom are experienced and well qualified to teach across the three specialisms: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There are six laboratories in the school and we have two technicians who manage all the equipment required for practical work.

Key Stage 3

What will I learn?

Throughout Key Stage 3 students have 6 x 75 minutes of lessons every fortnight. Year 7 are taught in their tutor groups for the first term after which all groups are set according to their ability, within the context of the cohort, so that they experience the best learning environment possible. All students will have Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons. All students will start the KS4 Science courses in September of Year 9, at this point the pace and depth of work increases.

The students are well grounded in the basic knowledge, understanding and skills of all areas of Science. There is an emphasis on investigation by practical work to develop students’ practical ability.

The topics covered in Key Stage 3 are as follows:

Year 7	Year 8
Cells and Reproduction	Explaining Chemical Changes
Mixing, Dissolving and Separating	Getting the energy your body needs
Forces and their effects	Contact and Non-contact Forces
Elements, Compounds and Reactions	Using our Earth sustainably
Eating, Drinking and Breathing	Our health and the effects of drugs
Magnetism and Electricity	Energy Transfers
Explaining Physical Change	Obtaining useful materials
Plants and Ecosystems	Variation for Survival
Light and Sound	Motion on Earth and in Space
Practical Skills (incorporating careers in Science)	Practical Skills (incorporating careers in Science)

How will I be assessed?

Students are assessed after the completion of each unit, progress is monitored and feedback is given in order to help them achieve their maximum potential.
Key Stage 4 - Years 9, 10 and 11
All students from Year 9 will be following the AQA examination board syllabus and at the end of Year 11 be awarded either three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or two GCSEs in Combined Science "Trilogy". All Science GCSEs are 100% examination based. Students must also experience ‘required practicals’ during curriculum time and their knowledge of these practicals will be tested in the terminal examinations.
Where will this subject take me?
All students are required to follow Science GCSE courses as these develop an understanding of the world around them, analytical and practical skills, all of which are applicable to a huge range of careers and further education.
What will I learn?
Students receive 450 minutes of Science lessons per fortnight in Year 9, increasing to 600 minutes every fortnight in Year 10 and 11. Science lessons are taught in laboratories by specialist teachers in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
All students will learn the following units throughout their KS4 Science study:

Year	Biology	Chemistry	Physics
Year 9	Cells & Organisation	Atomic Structure	Energy
	Body Systems	Atmosphere	Forces
	Health and Disease	Bonding	Forces and Motion
Year 10	Cell Processes	Chemical Changes	Electricity
	Plant Processes	Earth's Resources	Magnetism & Electromagnetism
	Homeostasis	Electrolysis	Molecules & Matter
	Genetics	Energy Changes
		Quantitative Chemistry
Year 11	Ecology	Organic Chemistry	Nuclear Radiation
		Rates and Equilibria	Waves
		Chemical Analysis	Space (Separate Sciences only)

Extra-Curricular Activities

Claydon High School Science Club is open to all Year 7 and Year 8 students. Students have the opportunity to carry out exciting experiments and sometimes make things to take home. If you are in Year 7 or Year 8 and would like to come along, please see Mrs Driver. We look forward to seeing you there!

For ideas for experiments to try at home, please see:

https://spark.iop.org/collections/marvin-and-milo

The Science Faculty are also very excited to offer the following extracurricular trips, keep an eye out for letters throughout the year!

Year 7 - KS3 Science Live! Emmanuel Centre London

Year 8 - Space Spectacular, Royal Observatory Greenwich

Year 9 - The Big Bang Fair, TBC

Year 10 and 11 - KS4 Science Live! Cambridge Corn Exchange

Year 11 - Physics at Work, University of Cambridge