Science surrounds us. It is everywhere in our daily lives – all day, every day!
From an early age, we interact with our environment, asking questions and seeking answers. This question-and-answer process lies at the heart of knowing and doing science. It is a way of knowing and thinking about the natural and physical components of the world in which we live.
We make science-based choices every day. Science is involved when we choose what to eat, or choose products with the least impact on the environment or make informed decisions about our health care. Science is the foundation of an innovative culture and at the core of significant political decisions. Understanding science is crucial for everyone so we can be informed and active in our country’s future.
At Standish Community High School, we have a science curriculum that aims to:
- Give young people a love of science.
- Stimulate curiosity.
- Encourage young people to ask questions.
- Give an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the main scientific concepts.
- Develop practical and experimental skills.
- Enable students to find the answers for themselves.
- Treat information in a critical way.
- Make student think creatively to suggest their own explanations.
We believe that the best way for your child to learn science is to be taught by excellent teachers who have a deep understanding of and a passion for the subject they teach. From the very start of Year 7, students have separate biology, chemistry and physics lessons taught by subject specialist teachers.
Questionnaires
- Pupil Voice – Flightpaths
- Pupil Voice – Marking
- Teacher Voice
- Thinking About Science
- Student Voice Year 10 #1
- Student Voice Year 10 #2
- Student Voice Year 10 #3
Navigation
Year 7
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Cells | Digestion | Skeletal and muscle systems |
| Chemistry | Atoms, elements, mixtures and compounds | Nature of matter, acids and alkalis | Pure and impure substances |
| Physics | Particle model and physical changes | Space physics | Light, sound and energy |
Year 8
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Breathing and respiration | DNA | Food webs and photosynthesis |
| Chemistry | Atoms and the periodic table and materials | The Earth | Chemical reactions |
| Physics | Energy, magnetism and static | Light and sound | Current electricity and motion |
Year 9
GCSE Science is taught over a 3 year period. Students will begin their studies for AQA 9-to-1 GCSE Science from the beginning of Year 9. All students will be taught biology, chemistry and physics.
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Cell biology | Organisation | Organisation cont. |
| Chemistry | Atomic structure | Bonding | Bonding cont. |
| Physics | Magnetism and electromagnetism | Particle model of matter | Particle model of matter cont. |
Year 10
Students will begin their studies for AQA 9-to-1 GCSE Science. All students will be taught biology, chemistry and physics.
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Cell biology, Organisation, Infection and response | Bioenergetics, Ecology | Ecology cont. |
| Chemistry | Bonding, Chemical changes | Energy changes, Quantitative chemistry, Atmosphere | Rates |
| Physics | Magnetism and electromagnetism, Atomic structure | Electricity, Energy | Waves |
Both Years 9 and 10 are doing the following AQA specifications:
Year 11
Core and Additional Science
These courses are all part of the OCR Twenty First Century Science suite.
Year 11 Additional Science is made up of 9 modules: 3 Biology, 3 Chemistry and 3 Physics. Each module will take about 12 lessons to teach. The taught modules are:
| Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
|---|---|---|
| B4 Processes of Life | C4 Chemical Patterns | P4 Explaining Motion |
| B5 Growth and Development | C5 Chemicals around us | P5 Electric Circuits |
| B6 Brain and Mind | C6 Chemical Synthesis | P6 Radioactive Materials |
There are 3 exams each worth 25% of the total marks and 1 controlled assessment worth 25% of the total marks. The controlled assessment will take place at the end of Year 10.
The exams in 2017 will take place in the Sports Hall on the following (provisional, subject to change) dates:
| Core (Year 10 Content) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Code | Units Tested | Date | Length |
| A161 | B1, B2, B3 | 16th May 2017 | 1 hour |
| A171 | C1, C2, C3 | 18th May 2017 | 1 hour |
| A181 | P1, P2, P3 | 24th May 2017 | 1 hour |
| Additional (Year 11 Content) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Code | Units Tested | Date | Length |
| A162 | B4, B5, B6 | 9th June 2017 | 1 hour |
| A172 | C4, C5, C6 | 14th June 2017 | 1 hour |
| A182 | P4, P5, P6 | 16th June 2017 | 1 hour |
Both Core and Additional Science can be studied at two levels:
- Higher A* – D
- Foundation C – G
Decisions about the most appropriate level of entry will be made in February in preparation for the summer examinations.
Triple Science
These courses are all part of the OCR 21st Century Science suite.
This is the second year of the triple science course in which the students opted to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate GCSEs. Students will be taught in one group and will have specialist Biology, Chemistry and Physics teachers.
Each of the three courses follows an identical pattern and is made up of 7 modules.
| Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
|---|---|---|
| B1 You and Your Genes | C1 Air Quality | P1 The Earth in the Universe |
| B2 Keeping Healthy | C2 Material Choices | P2 Radiation and Life |
| B3 Life on Earth | C3 Chemicals in Our Lives | P3 Sustainable Energy |
| B4 The Processes of Life | C4 Chemical Patterns | P4 Explaining Motion |
| B5 Growth and Development | C5 Chemicals of the Natural Environment | P5 Electric Circuits |
| B6 Brain and Mind | C6 Chemical Synthesis | P6 Radioactive Materials |
| B7 Further Biology | C7 Further Chemistry | P7 Further Physics |
Summary of Exams and Coursework
Biology
| Code | Units Tested | Date | Length | % of Final Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A161 | B1, B2, B3 | 16th May 2017 | 1 hour | 25 |
| A162 | B4, B5, B6 | 9th June 2017 | 1 hour | 25 |
| A163 | B7 | 19th June 2017 | 1 hour | 25 |
Chemistry
| Code | Units Tested | Date | Length | % of Final Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A171 | C1, C2, C3 | 18th May 2017 | 1 hour | 25 |
| A172 | C4, C5, C6 | 14th June 2017 | 1 hour | 25 |
| A173 | C7 | 21st June 2017 | 1 hour | 25 |
Physics
| Code | Units Tested | Date | Length | % of Final Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A181 | P1, P2, P3 | 24th May 2017 | 1 hour | 25 |
| A182 | P4, P5, P6 | 16th June 2017 | 1 hour | 25 |
| A183 | P7 | 23rd June 2017 | 1 hour | 25 |
Each subject also has 1 controlled assessment worth 25% of the total marks. The controlled assessment is a practical investigation that will take place at the most relevant time during the course.
All subjects can be studied at two levels:
- Higher A* – D
- Foundation C – G
You can find copies of the full specifications on the OCR website: