Science

Key Stage 3 

Our aim in Key Stage 3 is to stimulate students’ curiosity and enthusiasm to develop a sense of wonder in Science. We also aim to develop skills in scientific methods of enquiry to engage students to develop understanding of the processes of science as well as content of scientific knowledge. 

In Key Stage 3 students are taught for seven lessons each fortnight. In year 7 students are taught in tutor groups before being streamed from year 8 onwards into sets based on ability. 

In years 7 and 8 students follow a programme of study where they cover the whole spectrum of the Science curriculum. The College follows the Wikid Science scheme of work which allows students to learn in detail the many concepts of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 

 
In year 9 students are introduced to the Science A GCSE programme of study covering a range of topics including palaeontology, pyrotechnics and forensics. Further details of the scheme of study can be found in schemes of work. 

Year 7 

Year 8 

Year 9 

Gifted and talented students are invited to participate in the MAD Academy and a science club gives all students the opportunity to participate in a range of interesting and challenging schemes including the Toyota Challenge, Slot Car Challenge and a future project to build a 3D printer. 

Key Stage 4 

At Key Stage 4, Science is a compulsory subject consisting of two possible routes. 

• Route 1 Triple Science – this is intended for our most able students, and it results in 3 separate GCSE qualifications.  Students will study Biology, Chemistry and Physics over three years (starting in year 9) in order to cover the extra content that is required. 
• Route 2 Combined Science (Trilogy) – this course consists of Biology, Chemistry and Physics components which are taught as discrete subjects.  It covers the same basic content as triple science, however, it does not contain some of the more challenging concepts.   At the end of this course, students will be awarded the equivalent of 2 GCSE’s. 

In both routes, students acquire and apply the skills, knowledge and understanding needed for the next stage of learning.  Both routes, therefore, allow access to Key Stage 5 Science qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. 

At Key Stage 4 we offer a choice of the following courses: 

Key Stage 5 

At Key Stage 5 we offer a choice of the following courses (please click on the links below to visit the Sixth Form Website):