Science

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." Marie Curie

The Science department at Whitcliffe Mount is made up of eleven passionate and dedicated teachers keen on helping students understand the scientific method and the Universe around us. Science lessons mainly take place in our eight modern and spacious laboratories on the 2^nd floor of the school surrounding a large central preparation room. All of our science classrooms are equipped with Interactive Smart Boards and three classrooms are equipped with fume cupboards to allow us to demonstrate exciting chemical reactions in safety.

The Science department is led by Director of Learning Mr J Waddington and he is supported by two Deputy Directors of Learning, Mr C Hutchinson and Mr Mason. Our department also has two Lead Practitioners, Mrs C Hanogue and Mr S Reid who are responsible for developing teaching in learning within the department and across the school. The department is also supported by the invaluable expertise of a science technician whose meticulous planning allows for a wide range of practical activities to be undertaken by students in all year groups and of all abilities.

Science Intent

Whitcliffe Mount School provides a high-quality science education, by providing the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods , processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Students are taught to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes.

The Curriculum:

The purpose of the science curriculum is to develop children’s understanding of the natural world, society and themselves so they can be scientifically informed, healthier, successful citizens. Unlocking the ability to pursue careers in science, or in careers that require scientific understanding.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)

In Year 7 we provide students a stimulating introduction to science. Initially, students will learn how to work safely using Bunsen burners and a range of hazardous chemicals before learning how to plan and conduct valid scientific investigations. Our students follow a modified version of the AQA Activate for KS3 scheme of work to meet the statutory requirements for KS3 and prepare them for GCSE Science.

In our KS3 biology lessons, students learn about the building blocks of life, vital life processes such as movement, respiration, reproduction and ecosystems and our impact on them. In our KS3 chemistry lessons, students learn about the states of matter, atoms, compounds and elements, acids and alkalis and chemical reactions. In our KS3 physics lessons, students learn about forces and motion, energy, electricity, electromagnets and energy transfer by waves. Students will also learn about the structure of the Earth, rock formation and the Solar System and beyond.

In Year 9 our students complete KS3 and start studying the GCSE science topics that overlap with KS3. Year 9 students have seven lessons of science per fortnight. Year 9 students are placed into sets based on their prior attainment at KS3 and teacher judgement.

The Curriculum

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)

At Whitcliffe Mount School all of our students follow the AQA Science specifications at KS4.

Our Separate Science students are working towards being awarded three separate GCSEs: AQA Biology (8461), AQA Chemistry (8462) and AQA Physics (8463). Our students studying AQA Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) are working towards being awarded two GCSEs in science.

Options evening and parents evenings provide an excellent opportunity to discuss with us the GCSE pathways our students can take.

Our students studying AQA Combined Science (Trilogy) have 9 hours of lessons per fortnight to support their completion of two GCSE qualifications. These grades are based solely on their average results from 6 examinations, each 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

Our students studying AQA Separate Science have 14 hours of lessons per fortnight to support their completion of three separate GCSEs. Their grade is based solely on the outcome of 6 examinations, each 1 hour and 45 minutes long.

Homework

Students in KS3 should be set homework in science every two weeks. Typically, this will be a task printed on blue paper or a task set on SENECA, an online learning platform.

Students in KS4 should be set homework in science every week. Typically, this will be past exam questions, a task on blue paper or a task on SENECA.

Revision and support

Practice examination papers and mark schemes are available from AQA by following the following links:

However, this website is easier to navigate and includes many additional resources:

Revision guides

There are many high-quality revision guides available to support students with their AQA Science GCSEs. We currently favour those published by CGP that include revision notes, questions and answers. If you do plan on purchasing these independently, then check whether your child is doing AQA Combined Science or AQA Separate Science and whether they are entering higher tier or foundation tier.

Revision masterclasses (ACHIEVE) take place after school on a Wednesday from 3:00pm within the science department. Typically, the class teacher will host the ACHIEVE session for their own class. These sessions provide students an excellent opportunity to revisit prior topics and ask questions about any part of the curriculum that they are finding challenging.

Revision websites such as BBC Bitesize provide an excellent resource for students to improve their own knowledge and understanding at both KS3 and KS4.

Freesciencelessons is a YouTube channel with tutorials prepared and delivered by an experienced subject specialist covering all of the topics in the AQA 9-1 Science GCSE. The videos are a free, high quality resource that we would encourage students to study, complete homework or the catch up on any lessons missed due to absence. The Science Break is another excellent YouTube channel and covers the topics studied in Years 9 and 10. For biology, I particularly like EmmaTheTeachie’s YouTube channel. Many students and teachers also recommend Cognito’s YouTube channel which also covers GCSE maths.

Alternatively, my-GCSEscience is a subscription service that provides tutorial videos and practice questions. A sample of their tutorial videos is available for free on YouTube.

We have also been using the SENECA website with our students. Most of our students will already have an account and will know how to use it. SENECA provides teaching materials, tests the students on it and their teacher can follow their progress.

Finally, students may also benefit by using revision apps. One such app that I have recently become aware of is 23equations. This free app helps students to recall and apply the 23 physics equations that will not be on their physics equation sheet.