Science

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" - Sir Isaac Newton.

Science at the Appleton school is very successful with GCSE results well above the national average. Students at Key Stage 3 will follow the national curriculum in Year 7 and 8 gaining essential science skills. At the end of Year 8 students have a choice of GCSE courses.

Combined science in which pupils study aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They will gain a double award in science GCSE examined at the end of Year 11. (AQA combined science: Trilogy) Seperate sciences are examined as individual sciences in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. A grade will be awarded to each seperate GCSE examined at the end of Year 11. (AQA) Pupils will complete "Required practicals" which will be examined across all papers at the end of Year 11, 15% of the marks will be allocated to questions on these practicals.

Our schemes of work provide pupils with an opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and an understanding of Science. Throughout KS3 and 4 pupils will study organisms, behaviour and health following the work of many British scientists to facilitate their learning of living things. These include the work of Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution, to John Snow and his extensive influence on understanding disease and Edward Jenner's work on vaccination and the global impact of these scientists work.

Pupils will be encouraged to discuss bio-ethics to include cloning and genetic modification, the social impact of the misuse of drugs and the impact industrialisation may have on climate change.

Conservation and human impact on the environment is explored in a way that pupils feel free to form their own opinion and formulate a possible solution.

Studying energy, electricity and forces provides pupils with a sound knowledge of Newtonian physics and the impact of understanding our world through the works of Isaac Newton. Pupils gain an awareness of man's dependence on fossil fuels and are encouraged to explore the advantages and disadvantages of alternative energy sources. The teaching of light, heat and sound include extensive experimental method and allows pupils to formulate their own ideas, process data and draw conclusions from their own findings.

Modules in chemical and material behaviour encourage pupils to appreciate particle models and the influence of J. J. Thompson, Rutherford and Dalton on the now accepted structure of the atom. Again, through experiments pupils are encouraged to understand the world of chemistry and the impact of the formation of new materials.

Through investigation, debates, data analysis and challenging accepted ideas, pupils gain greater understanding of the influence of British science on a global audience and are well prepared for the challenges of A Levels in Science.

If you have any queries regarding our Curriculum please contact us.