News - 18th May 2023
Good news from STEM club
View Full Article
Science
The study of science fires pupils’ curiosity about phenomena in the world around them and offers opportunities to find explanations. It engages learners at many levels, linking direct practical experience with scientific ideas. Experimentation and modelling are used to develop and evaluate explanations, encouraging critical and creative thought. Pupils learn how knowledge and understanding in science are rooted in evidence. They discover how scientific ideas contribute to technological change – affecting industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. They trace the development of science worldwide and recognise its cultural significance. They learn to question and discuss issues that may affect their own lives, the directions of societies and the future of the world.
Curriculum Aims
There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of science and how science works. Students need to understand these concepts in order to deepen and broaden their knowledge, skills and understanding. Using scientific ideas and models to explain phenomena and developing them creatively to generate and test theories.
- Critically analysing and evaluating evidence from observations and experiments.
- Exploring how the creative application of scientific ideas can bring about technological developments and consequent changes in the way people think and behave.
- Examining the ethical and moral implications of using and applying science. Recognising that modern science has its roots in many different societies and cultures, and draws on a variety of valid approaches to scientific practice. Sharing developments and common understanding across disciplines and boundaries.
Grouping
In Year 7 Students learn in their mixed ability Tutor groups.
In Year 8 Students are divided into three bands (w, x and y). Each band has three mixed ability sets.
KS4 students are divided into 2 bands (P and Q). In the ‘P’ band students are set from 1 to 5 and in the ‘Q’ band they are set from 1 to 6.
Staffing
Lewis Parker – Subject Learning Leader (Biology)
Natalie Kitchener – Subject Learning Leader (Chemistry)
Mark Stevens – Subject Learning Leader (Physics) and Designated Teacher
Lynsey McCahill – SENDCO
Craig Sivyer
Kelly Tarlowski
Ged Pounds
Samantha Isard
Gina Archer
Toby May
Victoria Keast
Charlie Ward
Jessica Smallcombe
Jessica Barker
Assessment
KS3
Pupils are formally assessed at the end of a cycle of learning. Each cycle of learning takes approximately a term and involves covering at least one topic from each of the Biology, Chemistry and Physics disciplines. The formal assessments will only assess the pupils’ understanding of the content covered during that cycle.
KS4
Year 9
Y9 pupils will sit separate assessments in Biology, Chemistry and Physics at the end of a cycle of learning, that will assess their understanding of the content covered in that cycle.. The topics covered in year 9 are:
Biology – Cell structure and transport, Cell division, Organisation and the Digestive system, Organising Animals and Plants, and, Communicable disease.
Chemistry – Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table, Energy Changes, Chemical Changes and Structure and Bonding
Physics – Energy and Electric Circuits
To help Year 9 pupils prepare for their exams, revision resources for each Science can be found on Subjects Handouts.
Year 10
Pupils will sit a formal prelim exam in each Science discipline in the February of Year 10. This will be a Paper 1 exam and will assess all the content covered since the start of year 9:
Biology – Cell structure and transport, Cell division, Organisation and the Digestive system, Organising Animals and Plants, Communicable disease, Preventing and treating disease, Non-communicable disease, Photosynthesis, and, Respiration.
Chemistry – Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table, Structure and Bonding, Chemical Calculations, Chemical Changes, Electrolysis and Energy Changes
Physics – Energy, Electricity, Mains Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Radioactivity
To help Year 10 pupils prepare for their prelim exams, revision resources for each Science can be found on foldr, which they can access via this link.
Year 11
Pupils will sit two formal prelim exams in each Science discipline, one in the December of Year 11, and the second in March. The first prelim will be a paper 1 exam and will assess the following content:
Biology – – Cell structure and transport, Cell division, Organisation and the Digestive system, Organising Animals and Plants, Communicable disease, Preventing and treating disease, Non-communicable disease, Photosynthesis, and, Respiration.
Chemistry – Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table, Structure and Bonding, Chemical Calculations, Chemical Changes, Electrolysis and Energy Changes
Physics – Energy, Electricity, Mains Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Radioactivity
The second prelim will be a paper 2 exam and will assess the following content:
Biology – The Human Nervous system, Hormonal Co-ordination, Homeostasis in Action, Reproduction, Variation and Evolution, Genetics and Evolution, Adaptations and Competition, Organising an Ecosystems, and, Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Chemistry – Rates and Equilibrium, Crude Oil and Fuels, Organic Reactions, Polymers, Chemical Analysis, The Earth’s Atmosphere, The Earth’s Resources, Using our Resources
Physics – Forces, Motion, Pressure, Wave Properties, Electromagnetic Waves, Light, Electromagnetism, Space
To help Year 11 pupils prepare for their prelim exams, revision resources for each Science can be found on foldr, which they can access via this link.
Homework
Homework is an important part of supporting classroom learning, and within Science it is a key part of our retrieval practice in supporting pupils to make connections and move forward. Homework has been proven to support progress, improve memory as well as prepare for examinations. All students from Y7-11 will be set an online piece each week on SCIENCE SURGERY, this will incorporate content from their Biology, Chemistry and Physics studies that week as well as previous units of work that year to support their understanding and knowledge retrieval.
In KS3 Students are expected to do 20-30 minutes of independent learning (homework) per week, plus their SCIENCE SURGERY. At the start of each topic area pupils will be given a selection of possible homework ideas for them to choose from; these will be assessed during or at the end of the topic. Home learning reporting will reflect the creativity, variety and effort given to these tasks.
Students at KS4 will be expected to do a total of 40 minutes to an hour of independent learning per week, per Science that they are studying, plus their SCIENCE SURGERY. Home learning will be based around, but not exclusively directed to, creating revision, resources: flashcards, mindmaps, posters, etc. Or consolidating class learning with the use of GCSEpod, SENECA or Kerboodle online resources. Details of home learning tasks and deadlines may be found on the respective classes’ Google Classroom page.
Enrichment and Extra Curricular
Outside the classroom, the Science department also offers a Science Technology and Engineering (STEM) club to all students. STEM club is open to students in all years and runs every lunchtime in S105. A variety of projects, competitions and visits are offered throughout the year including the BP ultimate STEM challenge, the Shell bright ideas challenge, the Lego robotics challenge, the Go4SET awards and the Big Bang competition.
The Science department also offer 5 days of enrichment activities in learning enrichment week at the end of the summer term. Students opting for this complete day visits to Fleet Air Arm Museum, We the curious, Paignton Zoo, Plymouth Aquarium and Woodlands with a variety of workshops included.
Students at St Peter’s enjoy Science because they can learn in an exciting, practical and creative way.
Latest News
