Science

Head of Department: Ms S Patel

The Science faculty consists of 18 experienced teachers, many with science related masters degrees and PhDs. All teachers teach Biology, Chemistry and Physics at Key Stage 3 and their science speciality at Key Stage 4 and 5.  

The department has 17 well equipped laboratories that are purpose built for theory and practical work. In addition, we have a brilliant technician team who are fantastic at supporting pupils and staff with all practical requirements.  

The science teachers pride themselves in ensuring high quality teaching and learning takes place in line with the curriculum and whole school vision and values. Teachers build outstanding relationships with pupils and are always willing to give up their time outside of lessons to help pupils progress.  

curriculum intent

Science teaches us an understanding of natural phenomena. At Claremont, all topics taught are underpinned by the concept of “How Science Works” in the real world, encouraging students to stretch and challenge themselves whilst discussing future solutions to scientific challenges that face us today.

At Claremont we understand that children flourish by fulfilling their curiosity which enables them to not only meet their potential but to be happy, healthy, joyful and strong individuals in the next stages of life. Our Science curriculum encourages this by inspiring learners to become confident, resilient scientists who develop a love for learning Science.

Our aim at Claremont is to provide a stimulating environment that integrates discovery and exploration into learning and which takes into account the individual needs, strengths and starting points of all our learners.  We offer students the time to develop effective literacy and communication skills – therefore creating learners who are confident and competent readers, writers and speakers.

Furthermore, we embed a range of wider opportunities and experiences for all like Science themed school trips, to ensure our learners have an educational experience that is rich and varied.

Developing successful learners who are able to apply scientific knowledge and understanding correctly to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts in the world has and always will be at the forefront of our curriculum intent.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, pupils will build on knowledge and skills from key stage 2. Topics are selected and taught in line with the National Curriculum to ensure a wide breadth and depth of all three sciences. Science is taught as one subject, and all three main disciplines (Biology, Physics and Chemistry) are given equal time. Because of this, our pupils gain a well-rounded foundation of knowledge which is further developed every year as they progress through the key stages. To support this, pupils carry out various hands-on core practicals allowing them to critically analyse qualitative and quantitative data to draw their own logical, well-evidenced conclusions, which are transferable to everyday life. Furthermore, learners develop a range of mathematical skills, which are integrated throughout the curriculum that can also be applied to the modern world in which they live.

Curriculum Information

Pupils in Year 7 and 8 follow an adapted version of the Exploring Science scheme of work, in line with the National curriculum, which allows them to develop their knowledge and scientific skills from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 and provides them with a strong foundation to build on in year 9 and for the Key Stage 4 science curriculum.

In Year 9, students begin learning key concepts of all three sciences. This not only enables them to build on already learned scientific principles and concepts from Year 7 and 8 but allows a smooth transition to the challenges of the new 9-1 GCSE course. Because of this, pupils can make an informed decision about whether they want to continue on with Separate or Combined Sciences in Year 10.

Alongside theory work, pupils will complete core practicals related to each of the sciences throughout Year 7, 8 and 9.

End of each topic assessments will take in lessons. Pupils should consolidate their work using the checklist and expect to be assessed on any of the criteria listed.

Towards the end of the academic year pupils will sit an end of year exam whereby pupils are assessed on all topics covered during the year by then.

Year 7 topic list

• 1 Cells Tissues and Organs Checklist
• 10 Breathing and Respiration Checklist
• 2 Muscle and Bones Checklist
• 3 Particles and the Periodic Table Checklist
• 4 Atoms Elements and Molecules Checklist
• 5 Forces Checklist
• 6 Energy Checklist
• 7 Mixtures and Separation Checklist
• 8 Sound checklist
• 9 Reproduction in Animals Checklist

Year 8 topic list

• 1 Combustion Checklist
• 1 Current Electricity Checklist
• 1 Earth and Space Checklist
• 1 Energy Transfers Checklist
• 1 Food and Nutrition Checklist
• 1 Light Checklist
• 1 Metals and their Uses Checklist
• 1 Plants and their Reproduction Checklist
• 1 The Periodic Table Checklist
• Breathing and Respiration Checklist 1

Year 9 topic list

• CB1 Key concepts in Biology Checklist
• CB2 Cells and Controls Checklist
• CC1 and CC2 States of Matter and Methods of Separating Checklist
• CC3 and CC4 Atomic Structure and Periodic Table Checklist
• CC5 Ionic Bonding Checklist
• CC6 and CC7 Covalent bonding and Types of Substances Checklist
• CP1 Motion
• CP2 Forces and Motion
• CP3 Conservation of Energy
• CP4 Waves
• CP5 Light and The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Key Stage 4

At key stage 4 pupils will build on knowledge and skills from key stage 3. Topics taught are in line with the specification and provide an excellent foundation for those wanting to study Science at A Level. Throughout year 10 and 11, core concepts will be elicited through retrieval and built upon in different topics. Concepts are also underpinned by practical and mathematical skills. Pupils experience working in a laboratory and pay close attention to health and safety. They have opportunities to carry out investigations, evaluate data, carry out calculations and draw conclusions based on scientific evidence.

The skills we expect our pupils to gain are a knowledge of topic specific content, exam technique, extended writing, core laboratory practical skills, collaboration, solving mathematical problems in science and the ability to make cross-curricular links. This will help students become well rounded individuals with knowledge and understanding that are transferable to everyday life.

Course and Exam information

• The exam board we follow is Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) in Combined Science
• All assessment at GCSE is by examination at the end of Year 11.
• There is no coursework but across all three sciences there are 38 topics and 16 compulsory core practicals that may be assessed in the written exams.
• Students sit two exam papers for each science (total of six exams) at the end of year 11.
• Each paper assess different topics (more information about this can be found on the specification link found below)
• Exams are 1 hour 10 minutes and worth 60 marks each.
• GCSEs are awarded under the 9-1 grading system
• Higher tier (grades 4-9) and Foundation tier (grades 1-5) are available.

Topics

Content from topics taught in year 9 overlaps with the KS4 science curriculum.

Content from these topics are embedded throughout the course.

Following topics are covered in year 10 and 11.

At the end of each topic pupils sit an end of topic assessment.

At the end of year 10 there is an end of year exam.

During year 11 there are two mock exam sessions.

Year 10 topic list

• CB3 Genetics
• CB4 Natural Selection and Engineering
• CB5 Health and Disease
• CB6 Plants and Photosynthesis
• CC10 Electrolytic Processes
• CC11 Obtaining and Using Metals and CC12 Reversible reactions and Equilibria
• CC8 Acids and Alkalis Checklist
• CC9 Calculations Involving Masses
• CP4 Waves
• CP5 Light and The Electromagnetic Spectrum
• CP6 Radioactivity
• CP7 Energy - Forces doing Work
• CP8 Forces and their Effects
• CP9 Electricity and Circuits

Year 11 topic list

• CB7 Animal Control Coordination and Homeostasis
• CB8 Exchange and Transport in Animals Checklist
• CB9 Ecosystems and Material Cycles Checklist
• CC11 Obtaining and Using Metals and CC12 Reversible reactions and Equilibria
• CC13 Groups in the Periodic Table
• CC14 Rates of Reaction and CC15 Heat Energy Changes In Chemical Reacions
• CC16 Fuels
• CC17 Earth and Atmospheric Science
• CP10 Magnetism and the Motor Effect
• CP11 Electromagnetic Induction
• CP12 Particle Model
• CP13 Forces and Matter
• CP9 Electricity and Circuits 1

The full specification for the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science can be found here:

GCSE Combined Science Specification

Resources

There are various resources available to support pupils:

• Pearson Active Learn - a digital learning environment that provides students with an online version of the textbooks and access to interactive online tasks (pupils should have their own log in to access this)
• Revision guides and workbooks – provided to pupils
• ScienceFocus - interactive version of all the core practicals learnt at GCSE (found on Teams)
• Teachers - students can come and see their teacher outside of lesson time with any queries or questions. 
• Websites – “BBC Bitesize” and “Physics and Maths tutor”

Enrichment

Throughout the key stages teachers organise various opportunities for pupils within school. This includes our co-curricular clubs; lego club, science club and stemettes, along with guest speakers and workshops such as robotics, medical diagnostics challenge day and Moorfield Eye Hospital workshop with volunteering opportunities.

Pupils are also encouraged to enter UK-wide competitions such as the Biology Challenge and Chemistry Challenge to compete for Bronze, Silver or Gold awards.

In addition to this, pupils have the opportunity to attend external workshops and excursions. These have included trips to the Science Museum, RAF museum, various STEM days and STEM lectures at UCL.

Next Steps

We offer A level Biology, A level Chemistry, A level Physics and CTEC Applied Science in the Sixth Form at Claremont.

Every year, many of our students choose undergraduate courses related directly to Science, such as:

• Biomedical Science
• Medicine
• Biochemistry
• Environmental Science
• Optometry
• Dentistry
• Biology
• Psychology
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Public Health
• Physics
• Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical/electronic, aeronautical/aerospace, chemical, materials)
• Natural sciences
• Medicine (including medical physics, radiography and medical technology)
• Biotechnology
• Architecture
• Computer science
• Pilot
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food technology
• Manufacturing
• Petrochemicals
• Journalism and publishing
• Forensics
• Teaching
• Research