Science
Aims
Science at Northgate allows students to explore and investigate science, developing knowledge and understanding that enables them to discover the world of science. Students develop an understanding of the procedures of scientific investigation and learn practical skills. Science teaching encourages students to develop a sense of curiosity by posing questions or practical problems for students to answer and solve.
Key Stage 3
What will students learn?
Please see the curriculum overview document at the end of this section.
How will students be taught?
Students study science for two lessons each week. Science is delivered in a series of units covering a mix of physics, chemistry and biology topics. Practical skills are built into the units wherever possible. Additionally, students will complete a practical project that includes writing a hypothesis, planning and investigation, recording results, explaining trends, writing conclusions and evaluating the outcomes.
How will students be assessed?
Six units are studied in each year with an end of unit test for each.
Key Stage 4
Science - Combined
What will students learn?
The course teaching is divided into the three science subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each subject is subdivided into several theory modules, covering a vast range of ideas about how organisms and the world around them work. Students will also learn how to conduct investigations and how to record and analyse the results, as well as evaluating their methods. Students will acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and the essential role of science in society.
How will students be taught?
Students will be taught in groups with students of mixed ability, not in ‘sets’. They will have separate lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and will be taught by staff that specialise in each of these. Students will be expected to take part in practical work and investigations. Demonstrations are used to explain scientific theories and ideas. Whole class teaching, small group work, research, presentations, discussions and debates are all common practice in science lessons.
How will students be assessed?
Throughout the course students will complete end-of-unit tests in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as graded homework tasks. However, final GCSE grades are all determined by exams taken at the end of Year 11. These GCSEs will be graded 9-1.
This course is officially called GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy. On this course, students still study all three subjects, but will be awarded with two grades which reflect overall average performance across the three sciences.
Students complete several ‘Required Practicals’ throughout the course. It is expected that all students complete these, and they will be assessed in the final exams.
Theory exams will contain a mixture of multiple-choice questions, short, structured questions and questions requiring extended responses. They will also test some core maths skills as well as the practical and investigative skills needed to be a good scientist. There will be six exams in total: two for each science subject.
What can studying this subject lead to?
Science is relevant to all whether you enter employment at 16 or go on to further study. These GCSEs provide excellent preparation for all post-16 courses including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, PE, Geography and Food Technology at A Level.
Examination board & course type
AQA - GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464)
What can studying this subject lead to?
Science is relevant to all, whether entering employment at 16 or going on to further study. These GCSEs provide excellent preparation for all post-16 courses including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, PE, Geography and Food Technology at A level.
Revision Advice
A subject specific guide featuring key content, recommended resources and the specifications we cover in that particular subject can be downloaded below:
Science - Triple
What will students learn?
The course teaching is divided into the three science subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each subject is sub-divided into several theory modules, covering a vast range of ideas about how organisms and the world around them work. Students will also learn how to conduct investigations and how to record and analyse the results, as well as evaluating their methods. Students will gain and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and the essential role of science in society.
How will students be assessed?
Throughout the course students will complete end-of-unit tests in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as graded homework tasks. However, final GCSE grades are all determined by exams taken at the end of Year 11. These GCSEs will be graded 9-1.
This leads to three separate GCSEs: GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics, each with separate grades awarded.
Students will complete ‘Required Practicals’ in each of the three sciences. It is expected that all students complete these, and they will be assessed in the final exams.
Theory exams contain a mixture of multiple-choice questions, short, structured questions and questions requiring extended responses. They also test some core maths skills as well as the practical and investigative skills needed to be a good scientist. There will be six exams in total: two for each science subject.
How will students be taught?
Students will be taught in groups with students of mixed ability, not in ‘sets’. They will have separate lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and will be taught by staff that specialise in each of these. Students will be expected to take part in practical work and investigations. Demonstrations are used to explain scientific theories and ideas. Whole class teaching, small group work, research, presentations, discussions and debates are all common practice in science lessons.
Examination board & course type
AQA - GCSE Biology (8461), GCSE Chemistry (8462), GCSE Physics (8463).
What can studying this subject lead to?
Science is relevant to all, whether entering employment at 16 or going on to further study. These GCSEs provide excellent preparation for all post-16 courses including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, PE, Geography and Food Technology at A level.
Revision Advice
A subject specific guide featuring key content, recommended resources and the specifications we cover in that particular subject can be downloaded below: