Science
Scientists of Finham Park 2 break down the ‘why?’ behind what we see, hear and explore in the world around them. Science helps us to answer our biggest questions and to meet our most basic needs. The Science department aims to instil a love of learning and provide students with powerful knowledge needed to understand the world around them. We support students in doing this by providing them with opportunities to make connections, experiment, research and test both old and new theories.
- Students can enjoy science, gain enthusiasm for the process of scientific discovery and understand how the world around us works.
- Students make good progress at all key stages: KS3 following the NC and external qualifications: AQA GCSE for KS4 and OCR for A level Biology Chemistry and Physics
- Students are taught the depth and breadth of theoretical and experimental science.
- Ensure all students can access the curriculum through high-quality lesson planning specific to the context of each class/teacher/student.
- Strong curriculum links with English, Maths, Engineering and Geography.
Key Stage 3
KS3 Science will provide a foundation for the students at Finham Park 2 to understand the world around them through the teaching of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Through a curriculum focused on big ideas students are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. This foundation of key knowledge and concepts aims to encourage our students to recognise the power and importance of rational explanation and develop their excitement and curiosity about the world around us. They are encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse the causes.
The KS3 Science curriculum the students follow leads directly into the AQA GCSE with links throughout year 7, 8 and 9 in order for students to develop the skills they need to succeed and to make the transition from KS3 into KS4 as smooth as possible.
Key Stage 4
AQA GCSE SCIENCE 9-1
There are two routes through GCSE Science, AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 846) or Triple Award separate Sciences (AQA GCSE Biology 8461, Chemistry 8462 and Physics 8463).
Combined Science students are set based on ability and are taught 8 science lessons per fortnight. They are taught short topics that cover Physics, Chemistry and Biology. There are various assessment points throughout the year.
The aim of the GCSE Science course is to allow students to develop essential knowledge and understanding of key concepts in science. We have good laboratory facilities and the subject is delivered with a great deal of hands-on practical experience. Science stimulates students’ curiosity about the world around them, it enables students to develop and evaluate explanations through experimental evidence and modelling.
Separate Science students have 12 lessons per fortnight. This allows for the extra content to provide extra knowledge at a greater depth and breadth. The final exams are longer and students will be awarded 3 separate GCSEs (GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics) with 3 separate and unconnected Grades 9-1.
Science Curriculum
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Cells, Particles | Forces, Reproduction | Atoms, elements and compounds | Space | Space, Interdeoendence | Mixtures, Energy transfers |
| Year 8 | Electric circuits, Tissues and organs | Acids and alkalis, Movement and pressure | Respiration and photosynthesis, Changing substances | Magnetism | Life Diversity, Earth Systems | Electric Circuits - Resistance, Nutrition |
| Year 9 | Light, Human interaction | Using resources, Sound and waves | Cell structure, The Earth’s atmosphere | Energy resources, Cell division, Atomic structure | Energy transfer by heating, Adaptations | The Periodic Table, Conservation and Dissipation of energy, Organisation |
| Year 10 | B3 Organisation, B4 Organising animals and plants, P4 Electric circuits, B5 Communicable diseases, C3 Structure and bonding, P5 Electricity in the home | B6 Preventing and treating diseases, C5 Chemical analysis, C6 Electrolysis, P6 Molecules and matter | B7 Non communicable diseases, C7 Energy changes, P7 Radioactivity, P8 Forces in balance | B8 Photosynthesis, B9 Respiration, C4 Chemical calculation, P9 Motion | B10 The human nervous system, C9 Crude Oil, P10 Force and motion | B17 Organising an ecosystem, P16 Space |
| Year 11 | B15 Genetics and evolution, B16 Adaptations, C4 Chemical calculations, C12 Chemical analysis, P12 Wave properties, P13 Electromagnetic waves | B17 Organising an ecosystem, C8 Rates and equilibrium, C15 Using our resources, P15 Electromagnetism | B18 Biodiversity | Revision | Revision | Exams |
| Year 12 Biology | Module 2 – Foundations in Biology – Basic Components of living systems – Biological Molecules – Plasma Mambranes | Module 2 – Foundations in Biology – Biological Molecules – Enzymes – Cell Devision | Module 3- Exchange and Transport – Exchange Surfaces and Breathing Module 4 – Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease – Classification and Evolution | Module 3 – Exchange and Transport – Transport in Animals Module 4 – Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease – Biodiversity | Module 3 – Exchange and Transport – Transport in Animals – Transport in Plants Module 4 – Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease – Biodiversity – Communicable Diseases | Module 3 – Exchange and Transport – Transport in Plants Module 4 – Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease – Communicable Diseases |
| Year 12 Chemistry | Atoms, ion and compounds, Amount of substance, Electrons and bonding | Acids and redox, Shapes of molecules and intermolecular forces | Periodicity, Reactivity trends, Basic concepts of organic chemistry | Enthalpy Alkanes Alkenes | Reaction rates and equilibrium Alcohols | Haloalkanes Organic synthesis Spectroscopy |
| Year 12 Physics | Foundations of Physics Motion Forces in action | Work, energy and power Materials Laws of motion and momentum | Charge and current Energy, power and resistance Electrical circuits | Waves 1 | Waves 2 Quantum | Thermal Physics Ideal gases |
| Year 13 Biology | Module 5 – Communication, Homeostasis and Energy – Neuronal Communication Module 6 – Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems – Genetics of living systems | Module 5 – Communication, Homeostasis and Energy – Hormonal Communication Module 6 – Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems – Patterns of inheritance | Module 5 – Communication, Homeostasis and Energy – Homeostasis – Plant Responses Module 6 – Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems – Ecosystems – Manipulating genomes | Module 5 – Communication, Homeostasis and Energy – Plant Responses – Energy for Biological Processes Module 6 – Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems – Ecosystems – Populations and Sustainability | Module 5 – Communication, Homeostasis and Energy – Plant Responses – Energy for Biological Processes Module 6 – Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems – Year 1 and Year 2 consolidation | Exams |
| Year 13 Chemistry | Aromatic Chemistry and its functional groups | Acids and Bases, Eqm, rates | Amines Synthesis | NMR, entropy | Redox cells and transition metals | Exams |
| Year 13 Physics | Circular motion Oscillations Gravitational fields | Stars Cosmology Capacitance | Electric fields Magnetic fields | Particle Physics Radioactivity | Nuclear Physics Medical Physics | Exams |