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Science

Subject Lead - Miss Tara Neve-Scott, 01805 623531 Ext. 251 or tnevescott@gts.devon.sch.uk

Second in Science and Psychology Teacher - Miss Hannah Knight (hknight@gts.devon.sch.uk)

 

“Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated” Rosalind Franklin

STEM Club – Every Friday Week B at lunchtime in SC5

Meet the team

We are a team of enthusiastic scientists who are passionate and proud of our subject area. Our aim is to deliver lessons that are varied, interesting, challenging and geared to suit all learners so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential in an environment that is safe and embraces scientific methodology. 

What we’d like for our pupils

“The ability of people to understand the world in which they live and work increasingly depends on their understanding of scientific ideas and associated technologies and social questions. For most people such understanding will come mainly through education."

Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society

We want our pupils to:

  • Be scientists
  • Develop skills as well as knowledge
  • Nurture a love of science
  • Be curious
  • Be resilient
  • Be challenged
  • Be scientifically literate
  • Make better than 'expected' progress

Intent

Our intent is to support and prepare pupils for their next steps by:

  • Inspiring curiosity and fostering an interest in world of science
  • Observing scientific phenomena and developing a conceptual understanding of scientific ideas and the world around them
  • Building and developing skills and knowledge through carefully designed practical opportunities and sequenced lessons so that pupils can take advantage of opportunities, become scientifically literate and recognise chances for responsibility within their learning
  • Encouraging and modelling a culture of lifelong learning through a love of and interest in the natural world

Our Expectations:

  • For pupils to come to Science lessons prepared with R2L equipment, ready to learn and open to being enthused by the wonderful world of Science. 
  • Pupils will make excellent progress through interest, enjoyment, commitment, and hard work. 
  • Pupils will reflect on their learning using DIRT opportunities to respond to feedback. 
  • Parents/guardians feel able to engage in their child’s learning in Science and encourage them to make the best progress. 

Curriculum and Qualifications

The Science team offers

  • Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons, taught by specialists in rotation due to constraints with practical equipment and lab space. 
  • Access to a range of resources and opportunities.
  • A key stage 3 curriculum which is a bespoke programme designed to mirror the National Curriculum giving opportunity to revisit material to deepen and strengthen understanding whilst embedding the skills and level of challenge needed in preparation for Key stage 4.
  • In Year 7, a few pupils follow a slightly different curriculum to ensure they have the key scientific building blocks to succeed when they progress to follow the core curriculum in year 8.
  • A year 9 program of study which acts as a bridging year where pupils get more of a flavour of GCSE style lessons and begin to explore the content at greater depth ready to formally begin their GCSE studies.

GCSE Triple Sciences (3 separate GCSEs)

Some pupils will study to gain three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This involves more Science teaching than the combined Science pathway. Learning will therefore be more demanding and at a faster pace to reflect this. Pupils will follow the AQA syllabus resulting in 6 x 1hour 45-minute exams; two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. All practical work will be examined via the final exam papers, of which there are twenty-eight compulsory practicals (across the disciplines) that will be taught to pupils, any of which will appear in the final exam papers.

GCSE Combined Science (2 GCSEs)

The course consists of each of the three Science disciplines, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, each of which are examined at the end of year 11. Pupils follow the AQA syllabus resulting in 6 x 1 hour 15-minute exams; two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. There is no longer any coursework in the new Science GCSEs, all practical work will be examined via the final exam papers, of which there are twenty-one compulsory practical's that will be taught to pupils, any of which will appear in the final exam papers. Most students will follow this pathway.

We also offer AQA Entry Level Science (level 1 or 2) in conjunction with Unit award scheme for students who are on an alternative pathway, which will lay the foundation for further study and progression to GCSE, NVQ or level 1 BTEC qualifications at college.

Wider Opportunities

We offer additional opportunities to experience science and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) beyond the realms of the national curriculum, including trips, ambassador roles and fundraising. Recent notable examples include Big Bang Live at the NEC, Science Live in Bristol, visits to Rosemoor, Salter Chemistry Festival competitions, opportunity to apply to be a STEM ambassador and work collaboratively within the STEM subject areas, chance to get involved with science week including science bake off and competitions.

Useful Links

Email your teacher if you get stuck.

  1. Curriculum Overview - Biology pdf
  2. Curriculum Overview - Chemistry pdf
  3. Curriculum Overview - Physics pdf

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