Curriculum Lead

Mrs Caldwell - Head of Science

Curriculum Principles & Intent

This curriculum aims to ensure that all Adeyfield Academy students become scientifically literate who are able to recognise the importance of rational explanation, capable of scientific analysis and knowledgeable about the contribution that the sciences make to our theoretical and practical understanding of the world. It is designed so that foundational concepts are introduced at the outset and are carefully built upon over three years, ensuring students develop an increasingly sophisticated and specialised understanding of the separate sciences. As such, students benefit from a coherent and cumulative curriculum that enables them to grasp increasingly specialised concepts and to develop a rigorous understanding of scientific knowledge.

In Key Stage 3, in each long term, students cover one topic from biology, chemistry and physics. There is a strong focus on retrieval practice and interleaving learning: each topic begins by explicitly returning to relevant prior learning and ends with an assessment and an interleaved test based on another topic. A practical skills assessment is placed at the end of the unit to enable students to connect their learning to a set of practical techniques and real-world applications. All too often, learning about science involves a series of disjointed lessons and unconnected information that is difficult to remember or fully understand. As such, a key principle of this curriculum is that the sciences can and should be taught through meaningful narratives that enable students to form long-term memories. This is seen through the explicit, planned-for links between relevant topics and an emphasis, where relevant, on the chronological development of scientific discoveries and theories, and of their cultural importance.

In Key Stage 4 the foundations that have been laid during Key Stage 3 are developed in both breadth and depth. Students are encouraged to make links to the wider world and synthesise concepts to demonstrate understanding. Required practicals are completed which consolidate understanding of written work and develop practical investigation skills.

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GCSE Specifications

GCSE Combined Science

Science encompasses a wide range of Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics. We follow the AQA Key Stage 3 Science syllabus through the Activate Science teaching scheme to enable our students to follow a spiral curriculum up to GCSE.

Students have three lessons a week in Year 7, 8 & 9.  All three main disciplines (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) are given equal time. These lessons are a combination of practical and theory lessons, with regular activities to support student learning and attainment. Progress tasks and tests provide quantitative data to support the tracking of students, to ensure that all students make good or better progress. Context drives our syllabus, helping to relate science to real-life concepts and experiences.

Students are offered a variety of opportunities throughout the course to practise and demonstrate their skills scientifically.

Exam board: AQA                            course:   Combined science:  Trilogy         Specification: 8464

Science skills are assessed through each unit in Key Stage 3 and GCSE required practicals are assessed during the relevant units throughout Key Stage 4.

Mode of Assessment:

• Biology paper 1 and paper 2 – 1 hour 15 minutes each
• Chemistry paper 1 and paper 2 – 1 hour 15 minutes each
• Physics paper 1 and paper 2 – 1 hour 15 minutes each 

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A Level Specifications

A Level Biology

Level of Course: 3

Board: OCR

Specification: H420

Description

A Level Biology aims to enthuse students in the essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject.  Practical opportunities are regularly explored to allow the development of scientific skills, as well as mathematical and problem solving skills.  The course considers the decisions made by society and how science contributes to the success of the economy.

Biology A Level is an academic course involving fundamental practical tasks.  The course is assessed through written papers of the concepts alone, with practical skills assessed separately. The course aims to develop an interest in further study and careers in Biology.

There are 6 units:

1. Development of practical skills in biology

2. Foundations in biology

3. Exchange and transport

4. Biodiversity, evolution and disease

5. Communication, homeostasis and energy

6. Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

How is the course assessed?
At A Level, components assess the content from different modules as outlined in the table below.  All components contain synoptic assessment.

How is the course assessed?

At A Level, components assess the content from different modules as outlined in the table below.  All components contain synoptic assessment.

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Useful Links

• AQA GCSE science: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z8r997h
• GCSE revision resources: https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/
• Online simulations: https://phet.colorado.edu/

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Career Paths

Here some interesting career paths relating to Science:

• Archaeologist
• Astronomer
• Biologist
• Chemist
• Computer Scientist
• Engineer
• Geneticist
• Geologist
• Marine Biologist
• Mathematician
• Meteorologist
• Physicist
• Psychologist
• Zoologist