Science

Faculty: Science

Head of Faculty: Mrs N Jennings

Vision

To ignite and nurture a lifelong passion for science, achieving excellence and harbouring curiosity of the world around us.

Intent

At Hawkley Hall High School our students study a carefully sequenced curriculum that develops both substantive and disciplinary knowledge.  Our intention is for students to enjoy and experience a broad, varied and challenging curriculum that fosters curiosity and promotes an awareness of the importance of science in the world today, and in the future. 

Learning Journey

Science KS3

Science KS4

Curriculum Description

The Science curriculum is designed around the big ideas of science and students study these throughout Key Stage 3 and 4, revisiting them to build on prior knowledge and strengthen their long term memory.  Students are taught knowledge of science (substantive knowledge) and how science works (disciplinary knowledge) and these are both assessed during formal end of big idea assessments.

Key Stage 3

During Key Stage 3, students are study Science for 3 hours per week and home learning tasks are set weekly.  Home learning tasks include digitally set recall tasks to develop long term memory, as well as projects to broaden their understanding of the application of Science in the real world.  Students have the opportunity to further develop their awareness of Science and STEM related careers as well as developing their reading and literacy skills.

The order of Key Stage 3 topics covered is shown below:

Year group Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2
Year 7 Ecosystems 1 Matter 1 Energy 1

 

Genes 1

Genes 1

 

Reactions 1

 

Reactions 1

 

Forces 1

Forces 1

 

Electromagnets 1

Year 8 Ecosystems 2

 

Earth 1

Earth 1

 

Waves 1

Waves 1

 

Organisms 1

 

Organisms 1 Matter 2

 

Energy 2

Energy 2

 

Electromagnets 2

Year 9 Organisms 2

 

 

Reactions 2 Forces 2

 

 

 

Genes 2 Earth 2 Waves 2

 

Key Stage 4

At KS4 students follow either the AQA Combined Science Trilogy course or the AQA Separate Science Course. Those students studying Combined Science will be awarded two grades 1-9 following their GCSE examinations in the summer of Year 11. Whereas those students studying the Separate Science course will be awarded three grades 1-9 following their GCSE examinations in the summer of Year 11.  All combined science students receive 6 hours a week of Science lessons (2 hours of each discipline).  Separate Science students receive an additional 3 hours a week in Year 10, and an additional 2 hours a week in Year 11. Assessments to track progress are set regularly throughout each half term and feedback is related to GCSE criteria to highlight areas of strength and development throughout the course.

The order of Key Stage 4 topics is shown below:

  AU1 AU2 SP1 SP2 SU1 SU2
Year 10 Biology B4 Bioenergetics B1 Cells B1 Cells

B2 Organisation

B2 Organisation B2 Organisation

B3 Infection and Response

B3 Infection and response
Chemistry C1 Atomic Structure C1 Atomic Structure

C2 Bonding and structure

C2 Bonding and structure

C3 Quantitative chemistry

C3 Quantitative chemistry

C4 Chemical changes

C4 Chemical changes C5 Energy changes
Physics

 

 

P1 Energy P2 Electricity P3 Particle model P3 Particle Model

P4 Atomic Structure

P4 Atomic Structure P5 Forces
Year 11 Biology B7 Ecology B7 Ecology

B6 Inheritance and variation

B5 Homeostasis B5 Homeostasis Exam preparation and GCSE Exams
Chemistry C6 Rates of reaction C6 Rates of reaction

C7 Organic Chemistry

C8 Chemical analysis

C9 Chemistry of the atmosphere

C9 Chemistry of the atmosphere

C10 using resources

Physics P5 Forces P6 Waves P7 Magnetism and Electromagnetism *P8 Space

 

GCSE Exam Board Specifications

The specification code for AQA GCSE Science Biology is 8461. Click here to view the GCSE specification

The specification code for AQA GCSE Science Chemistry is 8462. Click here to view the GCSE specification

The specification code for AQA GCSE Science Physics is 8463. Click here to view the GCSE specification

The specification code for AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy is 8464. Click here to view the GCSE specification

Additional Information

The Science Faculty provide an extensive range of extra-curricular provision, including:

  • STEM club and a gardening club across both key stages with an open invite for all to attend.
  • Year 11 intervention and revision sessions occur after school weekly.
  • Homework support is available any time afterschool or lunch time.
  • Trips are varied and offered to various year groups throughout the year to inspire and enthuse as well as to demonstrate scientific concepts. We also invite various speakers into school from STEM industries as well as taking part in careers and science events.