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Science

Key Stage 3

In KS3, the Science department aims to ensure that all students develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We hope to develop the students understanding of the nature, processes and methods of Science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them. We aim to ensure our students are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future. 

Key Stage 4

Separate and Combined Science GCSE’s have been developed to inspire and challenge students. The core content follows a coherent and logical story throughout Biology, Chemistry and Physics and provides the foundations for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all students are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. They are helped to appreciate how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural, material and physical world can be described in terms of a small number of key ideas relating to the sciences which are both inter-linked, and are of universal application.

There are opportunities for skills development within the area of content, skills in working scientifically, maths and practical assessment. The required practical activities are linked to core content where they appropriately fit within the teaching to help develop understanding through hands-on experience.

The GCSE specification in all the sciences enables students to:

  • develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding.
  • develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of biology, chemistry and physics through different types of scientific enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
  • develop and learn to apply observational, practical, modelling, enquiry and problem-solving skills, both in the laboratory, in the field (for Biology) and in other learning environments
  • develop their ability to evaluate claims based on science through critical analysis of the methodology, evidence and conclusions, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Science is taught in ways that help students to develop curiosity about the world, insight into how science works, and appreciation of its relevance to their everyday lives. The study is broad, coherent, practical and satisfying, and thereby encourage students to be inspired, motivated and challenged by the subject and its achievements.

Students can use their o365 accounts to access resources to support them with revision by visiting this link: https://southgatemlt.sharepoint.com/sites/Sciencehub

Key Stage 5

Our A level Biology enables students to develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to one another. They also gain an appreciation of scientific methods, as well as practical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills. The specification is divided into topics, each covering different key concepts of biology. Teaching of practical skills is integrated with the theoretical topics and they’re assessed through the written papers. The Practical Endorsement will also support the development of practical skills.

Our A-level Chemistry lessons aim to inspire students, nurture their passion for the subject and lay the foundations for further study and the workplace. Like Biology, the specification is divided into topics, which cover the key ideas in Chemistry. Practical work is at the heart of our teaching and the required practical activities will give students the opportunity to embed their skills and knowledge. The A-level practicals ensure that students are able to access the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC)  requirements of the course.

A level Physics lessons equip students with the required knowledge and understanding of the physical world and the key role that has been played by this subject in the development of our civilisation. The specification is divided into topics, each covering different key concepts of Physics. The acquiring of practical skills is taught along with the theoretical topics and they’re assessed through the written papers. Physics is a very mathematical subject because physicists seek to understand the Universe by the application of mathematical ideas. This means that physicists can go on to make predictions about the world around us.   The Practical Endorsement will also support the development of practical skills.