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Science
| | | | | | 2009 GCSE Science Department Results | | | | | | | | | Subject | A*-C | A*-G | | | Science Single Award | 53% | 100% | | | Science Additional Award | 73% | 100% | |
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| | | | | | 2010 Key Stage 3 Science Department Results | | | | | | | | | Subject | Level 5 & Above | | | Science | 82% | |
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Staff
There are five teachers of science in the department and two technicians who also support other departments in the school. The department staff are:
Mrs E James - CTL Science
Mrs A Puddifer - ic Chemistry
Mrs M Smith - ic Biology and PSE coordinator
Mrs J Layland - Teacher of Science
Mr G Preece - Teacher of Science and ICT
Mrs S Swidenbank - Senior Technician
Mr P Ellis - Technician
Resources
The Science Department has five well resourced laboratories all with projectors linked to the internet which facilitates the use of up to date learning resources. We also use the ICT rooms and library for pupils research.
Curriculum
KS3
Pupils at KS3 study the revised Science National Curriculum for Wales. This new curriculum puts much greater emphasis on developing pupils key skills of thinking, communicating, ICT and number.
Pupils are set and have specialist teachers for Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons. They work in pairs or groups to study modules which encompass a range of science in an interesting, contemporary context with activities providing opportunities to develop enquiry skills.
Year 7 Topics
Forensic Science
The physical and chemical properties of some elements, compounds and mixtures and how mixtures can be separated by simple techniques
Energy Everywhere
The interdependence of organisms and their representation as food webs, pyramids of numbers and simple energy-flow diagrams
The conservation of energy and ways in which energy can be stored
How familiar devices/machines work by using electricity, light, sound and other energy transfers
Science and Sport 1
The basic structure and function of some cells, tissues, organs and organ systems and how they support vital life processes
How food is used by the body as fuel during respiration and why the components of a balanced diet are needed for good health
The beneficial and detrimental effects of some drugs on the organs of the human body and other consequences of their use.
Around the World 1
How food is used by the body as fuel during respiration and why the components of a balanced diet are needed for good health
Applications of science, medicine and technology that are used to improve health and the quality of life, including those in countries with different levels of economic development.
The conservation of energy and ways in which energy can be stored
Year 8 Topics
Science and me
The basic structure and function of some cells, tissues, organs and organ systems and how they support vital life processes
Applications of science, medicine and technology that are used to improve health and the quality of life, including those in countries with different levels of economic development.
The differences between physical and chemical changes using some common examples
Energy Island
The interdependence of organisms and their representation as food webs, pyramids of numbers and simple energy-flow diagrams
How and why food webs are affected by environmental factors, e.g. light intensity, water availability, temperature, and their fluctuations
The conservation of energy and ways in which energy can be stored
How renewable and non-renewable energy resources are used to generate electricity and the implications of decisions made about their use
Science and Sport 2
The properties of solids, liquids and gases and how the particle model can be used to explain these properties
The properties of sustainable materials and how these are related to their uses in everyday life, e.g. in the construction and manufacturing industries, and the importance of sustainability.
The forces in devices and their relationship to work done and power
Technologies under development, which may lead to more efficient use of energy resources or using them in new ways, e.g. hydrogen-powered cars, using cooking oil/gasohol, as replacements for diesel/petrol.
Year 9
In Year 9 pupils begin their study of GCSE Science whilst still developing science skills for end of KS3 levels of attainment. They will sit AQA Science A half module tests in June.
KS4
All pupils at KS4 study Core Science and a large proportion opt into studying Additional Science. The course studied is the AQA examination board specification which aims to develop pupils' interest in, and enthusiasm for, science and acquire scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for progression to further study.
Core Science Topics
Biology 1
How do human bodies respond to changes inside them and to their environment?
What can we do to keep our bodies healthy?
How do we use/abuse medical and recreational drugs?
What causes infectious disease and how can our bodies defend themselves against them?
What determines where particular species live and how many of them there are?
Why are individuals of the same species different from each other?
What new methods do we have for producing plants and animals with the characteristics we prefer?
Chemistry 1
How do rocks provide building materials?
How do rocks provide metals and how are metals used?
How do we get fuels from crude oil?
How are polymers and ethanol made from oil?
How can plant oils be used?
What are the changes in the Earth and its atmosphere?
Why have some species of plants and animals died out?
How do new species of plants and animals develop?
How do humans affect the environment?
Physics 1
How is heat (thermal energy) transferred and what factors affect the rate at which heat is transferred?
What is meant by the efficient use of energy?
Why are electrical devices so useful?
What are the uses and dangers of emissions from radioactive substances?
What do we know about the universe and how it continues to change?
How should we generate the electricity we need?
What are the uses and hazards of the waves that form the electromagnetic spectrum?
Additional Science Topics
Biology 2
What are animals and plants built from?
How do dissolved substances get into and out of cells?
How do plants obtain the food they need to live and grow?
What happens to energy and biomass at each stage in a food chain?
What happens to the waste material produced by plants and animals?
What are enzymes and what are some of their functions?
How do our bodies keep internal conditions constant?
Which human characteristics show a simple pattern of inheritance?
Chemistry 2
How do sub-atomic particles help us to understand the structure of substances?
How do structures influence the properties and uses of substances?
How much can we make and how much do we need to use?
How can we control the rates of chemical reactions?
Do chemical reactions always release energy?
How can we use ions in solutions?
Physics 2
How can we describe the way things move?
How do we make things speed up or slow down?
What happens to the movement energy when things speed up or slow down?
What is momentum?
What is static electricity, how can it be used and what is the connection between static electricity and electric currents?
What does the current through an electrical circuit depend on?
What is mains electricity and how can it be used safely?
Why do we need to know the power of electrical appliances?
What happens to radioactive substances when they decay?
What are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
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