St Thomas More Catholic Secondary School - Science

Year 7

Curriculum Intention:

Science is a captivating subject which at the same time allows people to understand the world they live in and wonder at it.

Our aim is to methodically develop and sustain learners’ curiosity about the world, enjoyment of scientific activity and understanding of how natural phenomena can be explained through linking each topic. The Science education that they receive should equip every pupil equally with opportunities that enable them to take an informed part in decisions and to take appropriate actions that affect their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others and the environment. The intentions can be summarised as follows:-

To ensure pupils develop scientific knowledge and understanding of science in the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
To develop 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
To relate their scientific knowledge to its uses in society today and in the future and this evidence in the Science fair project.

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Sept - Nov Students completing Biology and Physics (diet & forces)	Jan – Feb Students completing Physics and Biology (living systems and waves)	April – May Students completing Biology topic (genetics and variation)
Half term	Half term	Half term
Nov – Dec States of matter and separation techniques	Feb – March Atoms and Elements	June – July Chemical Reactions
Christmas Holidays	Easter Holidays	Summer Holidays

Outcomes:

Students will be able :

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

Devising and investigating testable questions
Identifying and controlling variables
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Employability skills:

Remembering and Developing understanding
Applying and Analysing
Evaluating and Creating

Year 8

Curriculum Intention:

Year 8 places an emphasis on the process of scientific enquiry as well as accumulation of knowledge to help bridge the gap between year 8 and GCSE

The course helps the students to:

Develop understanding of scientific ideas
Work out scientific ideas for themselves by using results from investigations
See how science is used in everyday life
Think about how science can be used for benefit of mankind.

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Sept - Oct Students studying physics topic (electricity)	Jan – Feb This term students will be doing topics biology and physics (photosynthesis and levers pressure and moments)	April – May Students studying Biology topic ecosystems Working Scientifically to consolidation year7 and 8 work and to ensure easy access to year 9 content.
Half term	Half term	Half term
Oct – Dec Acids and Alkalis	Feb – March Chemical Materials	June – July Completion of science fair Projects.
Christmas Holidays	Easter Holidays	Summer Holidays

Outcomes:

Students will be able :

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

Devising and investigating testable questions
Identifying and controlling variables
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Employability skills:

Remembering and Developing understanding
Applying and Analysing
Evaluating and Creating
Resilience developed through science fair

Year 9

Curriculum Intention:

In Year 9 all students follow a course which is specifically designed to:

Form a foundation for GCSE and other courses
Encourage interest in all aspects of scientific study

Develop understanding of scientific ideas
See how science is used in everyday life

Students spend one term studying the most important aspects of biology, chemistry and physics to a higher level than that taught in years 7 and 8, in order to bridge the gap between key stage 3 and 4

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Sept - Nov Chemistry is not taught in the first half term	Jan – Feb Structure and Bonding and matter	April - May Particle model continue Revision and exams
Half term	Half term	Half term
Nov – Dec Atomic Structure	Feb – March This term student will be studying A physics topic ‘Particle Model of Matter’ which links to chemistry	June – July Energy changes in chemical reaction
Christmas Holidays	Easter Holidays	Summer Holidays

Outcomes:
Students will be able :

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

Devising and investigating testable questions
Identifying and controlling variables
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Employability Skills:

Employability skills: Remembering and Developing understanding
Applying and Analysing
Evaluating and Creating
Resilience

Year 10

Curriculum Intention:

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

Devising and investigating testable questions
Identifying and controlling variables
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Sept - Oct Quantitative Chemistry	Jan – Feb Chemical changes	April – May Rates of reactio
Half term	Half term	Half term
Oct – Dec Quantitative Chemistry	Feb – March Chemical changes	June – July Rates of reaction
Christmas Holidays	Easter Holidays	Summer Holidays

Outcomes:

Students will be able :

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

Devising and investigating testable questions
Identifying and controlling variables
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Employability skills:

Students are encouraged to work in groups as well as individually building teamwork and leadership skills.

Students will have to solve problems in lesson and have to be able to plan practical activities including risk assessments.

Year 11

Curriculum Intention:

Topics covered in year 11 will be examine GCSE Chemistry Paper 2 which is building on the knowledge acquired during Yr9&10/Paper 1 lessons.

A topic with required practical’s completed earlier in the year to allow careful revision of these ahead of the exams.

The intention is :

To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

Devising and investigating testable questions
Identifying and controlling variables
Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Sept - Oct Hydrocarbons	Jan – Feb Sustainable development (combined) Analytic techniques (separate)	April – May Exam preparation
Half term	Half term	Half term
Oct – Dec Analytic techniques Revision	Feb – March Revision (combined) Sustainable development (separate)	Y11 not in school
Christmas Holidays	Easter Holidays	Summer Holidays

Outcomes:

Students will be able :

To apply and develop what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
Use practical work to make sense of new information and observations.
To provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

To devise and investigate testable questions
Identify controlling variables
Analyse, interpret and evaluate data.

To use specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
Handle and manipulate equipment with confidence and fluency

Recognise hazards and plan how to minimise risk.

Employability skills:

Students are encouraged to work in groups as well as individually building teamwork and leadership skills.

Students will have to solve problems in lesson and have to be able to plan practical activities including risk assessments.

The Analysis of Data

Year 12

Curriculum Intention:

Delivery of topics is ordered to ensure students have built on fundamental knowledge from GCSE and preparing students for new and more challenging concepts throughout the year. Topics are split between teachers to help students differentiate between paper 1 and 2 with some overlap in physical chemistry to promote interleaving of topics in preparation of paper 3 for A2.

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Sept 2^nd - Oct 14^th 1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR) Content Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions 2.Topic: Physical Chemistry(VM) Content Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions	Jan 6^th – 10^th Feb 1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR) Content Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions 2.Topic : Organic Chemistry(VM) content Organic Compounds including; Alkanes, Alkenes, Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic analysis	20^th April – 18^th May 1.Topic: Organic Chemistry(VM) content Organic Compounds including; Alkanes, Alkenes, Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic analysis 1.Topic :Inorganic Chemistry(MR) content The periodic table including; Periodicity, Group 2 elements, and Group 7 elements
Half term	Half term	Half term
Oct 28^th – Dec 16^th 1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR) Content Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions	24^th Feb – 30^th March 1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR) Content Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions 2.Topic: Organic Chemistry(VM) content Organic Compounds including; Alkanes, Alkenes, Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic analysis	1^st June – 13^th July 1.Topic: Organic Chemistry(VM) content Organic Compounds including; Alkanes, Alkenes, Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic analysis
Christmas Holidays	Easter Holidays	Summer Holidays

Outcomes:

All students will have developed understanding of the AS specification and completed 6 assessed experiments in the form of CPAC assessments.

Student progress is measured in regular assessment in summative end of topic assessment and homework as well as formative assessment.

Tasks in lesson are peer or self-assessed providing instantaneous measures of progress and then as teachers we can implement intervention in lesson, using effective differentiation, or outside to ensure all students have progressed.

Employability skills:

Students are encouraged to work in groups as well as individually building teamwork and leadership skills.

Students will have to solve problems in lesson and have to be able to plan practical activities including risk assessments.

Year 13

Curriculum Intention:

Delivery of topics is ordered to ensure students have built on fundamental knowledge from AS and preparing students for new and more challenging concepts throughout the year. Topics are split between teachers to help students differentiate between paper 1 and 2 with some overlap in physical chemistry to promote interleaving of topics in preparation of paper 3 for A2.

All skills and knowledge gathered throughout the course prepares students for university, college or apprenticeships. Practical experiments prepare students for working in a lab environment and understanding the procedures that occur in these environments.

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Sept 2^nd - Oct 14^th 1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(DN) Content Thermodynamics, Rate equations, Electrode potentials and Acids & Bases Content 2.Topic: Physical Chemistry (MR) Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions	Jan 6^th – 10^th Feb 1.Topic: Organic Chemistry(DN) content Organic compounds including aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, Amines and Polymers, • Analysis techniques including NMR and Chromatography	20^th April – 18^th May 1.Topic: Organic Chemistry(DN) content Organic compounds including aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, Amines and Polymers, • Analysis techniques including NMR and Chromatography 1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR) Content Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions
Half term	Half term	Half term
Oct 28^th – Dec 16^th 2.Topic: Organic Chemistry(DN) content Organic compounds including aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, Amines and Polymers, • Analysis techniques including NMR and Chromatography	24^th Feb – 30^th March 2.Topic: Organic Chemistry(DN) content Organic compounds including aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, Amines and Polymers, • Analysis techniques including NMR and Chromatography	1^st June – 13^th July
Christmas Holidays	Easter Holidays	Summer Holidays

Outcomes:

All students will have developed understanding of the AS specification and completed all 12 assessed experiments in the form of CPAC assessments.

Student progress is measured in regular assessment in summative end of topic assessment and homework as well as formative assessment.

Tasks in lesson are peer or self-assessed providing instantaneous measures of progress and then as teachers we can implement intervention in lesson, using effective differentiation, or outside to ensure all students have progressed.

Employability skills:

Students are encouraged to work in groups as well as individually building teamwork and leadership skills.

Students will have to solve problems in lesson and have to be able to plan practical activities including risk assessments.