Student Voice
Practical Focus Week (Science)
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.
Navigation
Year 7
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Cells and Movement | Interdependence and Plant Reproduction | Human Reproduction and Variation |
| Chemistry | Matter | Chemical Reactions | The Earth’s Structure |
| Physics | Sound and Light | Speed and Gravity | Energy and Electricity |
Year 8
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Evolution, Inheritance and Variation | Breathing and Respiration | Photosynthesis and Interdependence |
| Chemistry | Matter | Chemical Reactions | The Earth’s Climate |
| Physics | Forces | Electricity and Magnetism | Energy |
Year 9
We begin GCSE science in Y9. There are two possible pathways for students:
- Combined Science leading to 2 GCSEs at the same grade. Eg 66 or 88
- Triple Science leading to 3 independent GSCEs
In Y9 both courses are taught in exactly the same way. In Y10 and Y11 most students will follow the combined science course. However as part of the options process we ask students to express an interest in studying triple science if they have an OPT of 7 or greater in Maths.
Both combined science and triple science are taught in the same way. Students have 2 lessons per week of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. (The triple science course is taught in the same number of lessons but has 50% more content to cover than the combined science)
We follow the AQA GCSE Science Trilogy Course for Combined Science and the AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses for Triple Science. You can find all the links to the relevant courses below.
- Trilogy: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464
- Biology: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461
- Chemistry: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462
- Physics: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Cell biology | Cell Biology and Organisation Part 1 | Organisation Part 1 |
| Chemistry | Atomic structure | Atomic Structure and Structure and Bonding | Structure and Bonding |
| Physics | Particle Model | Particle Model and Electromagnetism | Electromagnetism |
Year 10
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Organisation Part 2 and Bioenergetics | Infection and Response | Ecology |
| Chemistry | Chemical Changes and Energy Changes | Rates of Reaction and Quantitative Chemistry | Quantitative Chemistry and The Atmosphere |
| Physics | Atomic structure | Energy and Electricity | Electricity and Waves |
Year 11
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Inheritance and Variation and Homeostasis | Revision | Exams |
| Chemistry | Chemical Analysis, Organic Chemistry and Using Resources | Revision | Exams |
| Physics | Forces Space (Triple Only) |
Revision | Exams |
Both courses are assessed by exams only at the end of Y11. Both courses will have 6 exams in total. (2 Biology, 2 Chemistry and 2 Physics). The combined science exams are 1hr 15mins long and the triple exams are 1hr 45mins long.
Whilst there is no coursework there are 24 required practicals that the students cover throughout the course.
| Exam Dates | Combined Length | Triple Length | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology Paper 1 | 1hr 15 mins | 1hr 45 mins | TBC |
| Chemistry Paper 1 | 1hr 15 mins | 1hr 45 mins | TBC |
| Physics Paper 1 | 1hr 15 mins | 1hr 45 mins | TBC |
| Biology Paper 2 | 1hr 15 mins | 1hr 45 mins | TBC |
| Chemistry Paper 2 | 1hr 15 mins | 1hr 45 mins | TBC |
| Physics Paper 2 | 1hr 15 mins | 1hr 45 mins | TBC |
Biology Paper 1 covers the topics: Cell Biology, Organisation, Bioenergetics, Infection and Response
Chemistry Paper 1 covers the topics: Atomic Structure, Structure and Bonding, Quantitative Chemistry, Chemical Changes and Energy Changes
Physics Paper 1 cover the topics: Particle Model, Atomic Structure, Energy and Electricity
Biology Paper 2 covers the topics: Ecology, Inheritance and Variation and Homeostasis
Chemistry Paper 2 covers the topics: Rates of Reaction, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Analysis, The Atmosphere and Using Resources.
Physics Paper 2 covers the topics: Electromagnetism, Waves, Forces and Space (triples only)