Science

In Year 7 Science, pupils will study a range of different topics that explore concepts from Biology, Chemistry and Physics in everyday contexts.

In this first year of secondary school science, there is an emphasis on skills; both procedural laboratory skills such as using Bunsen Burners, and ‘working scientifically’ skills such as devising appropriate practical procedures and drawing conclusions from data. Students are regularly given the opportunity to develop their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills within lessons.

Year 7 students are generally taught by one teacher across all three sciences. Students are taught in mixed ability form groups for this year in order to ease the transition from Key Stage 2.

Students will follow the following topics in Year 7:

Assessment:

Longer topics will have a Mid-topic assessments. These track and develop skills such as graph drawing, using data to draw conclusions, and extended writing. These assessments are not awarded a grade or level, and are primarily an opportunity for feedback and development.

End of topic tests give students an opportunity to demonstrate all the knowledge they have gained throughout the unit. This is completed using the students’ devices and reviewed by their teachers. These tests are graded and help to make up part of their termly report.

The End of Year 7 Test consolidates all the learning from the year in one hour long exam. This will play a large role in determining science sets in Year 8.

In Year 8 Science, students are continuing to build their core KS3 knowledge and skills, using what they have learned in Year 7 to further explain the world around them. 

In Biology students will use their understanding of specialised cells to discuss the workings of several organ systems and how they work together to deliver oxygen and glucose to respiring cells.

In Chemistry, students will be using their knowledge of particles and the periodic table to learn about chemical reactions and how to write these as chemical formulae.

In Physics, students will use their knowledge of energy stores and particles to describe the movement of particles through space and matter.

Year 8 students are generally taught by one teacher across all three sciences. Students are taught in upper and lower bands, and will be further split into sets in Year 9.

Assessments:

Longer topics will have a Mid-topic assessments. These track and develop skills such as graph drawing, using data to draw conclusions, and extended writing. These assessments are not awarded a grade or level, and are primarily an opportunity for feedback and development.

End of topic tests give students an opportunity to demonstrate all the knowledge they have gained throughout the unit. This is completed using the students’ devices and reviewed by their teachers. These tests are graded and help to make up part of their termly report.

Year 8s will have one final End-of-Year Test consolidating all their learning from both Year 7 and Year 8 in one hour long exam. This will play a large role in determining science sets for Year 9.

In Year 9, we focus on the more difficult concepts of KS3 science, such as natural selection, patterns in the periodic table, and balanced forces. Once students have completed all KS3 topics, we have a few weeks of guided revision, helping students to consolidate all of their learning from across Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9.

Following this revision, all students will sit an End of Key-Stage exam for Science in March. This is earlier than the Y9 exams for other subjects which take place in the summer term. This is so that we can use the results from these exams to help students decide which GCSE science pathway is most suitable for them. With the new Science GCSEs being more challenging than in the previous framework, at Rickmansworth School, we start students on the KS4 content part-way through Year 9, in order to best prepare them for their GCSEs. 

Assessments:

Longer topics will have a Mid-topic assessments. These track and develop skills such as graph drawing, using data to draw conclusions, and extended writing. These assessments are not awarded a grade or level, and are primarily an opportunity for feedback and development.

End of topic tests give students an opportunity to demonstrate all the knowledge they have gained throughout the unit. This is completed using the students’ devices and reviewed by their teachers. These tests are graded and help to make up part of their termly report.

Year 9s will have a final End of Key Stage 3 Test in Term 2, consolidating all their learning from Year 7 to Year 9. This will play a large role in determining whether students are recommended for taking separate sciences at GCSE level.

At GCSE,  students who have not chosen science as an optional subject follow the AQA Combined Science Trilogy. At the end of this course they receive 2 GCSEs on an 18 point scale from 1-1 to 9-9. 

The course is assessed through 6 1 hour 15 minute papers ( 2 Biology, 2 Chemistry and 2 Physics) at the end of year 11 with their overall score being used to calculate their final grade. The exams will test the student’s knowledge, application and analysis techniques with approximately 25% being allocated to mathematical skills and 25% related to practical skills.

Biology Topics and Assessment 

Chemistry Topics and Assessment 

We teach topics in a slightly different order to more evenly spread the practical work through the year and also to allow some of the more challenging concepts to be met later in the course.

Physics Topics and Assessment 

At GCSE,  students who have chosen science as an optional subject follow the AQA Separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSE specifications. At the end of this course they receive 3 GCSEs, one in each of the sciences. 

Each subject is assessed through 2 1 hour 45 minute papers  at the end of year 11 with their overall score being used to calculate their final grade. The exams will test the student’s knowledge, application and analysis techniques with approximately 25% being allocated to mathematical skills and 25% related to practical skills.

Biology Topics and Assessment 

Chemistry Topics and Assessment 

We teach topics in a slightly different order to more evenly spread the practical work through the year and also to allow some of the more challenging concepts to be met later in the course.

Physics Topics and Assessment 

Biology

Biology A-level is one of our most popular subjects at Rickmansworth School. Studying Biology at A-levels will allow students to further understand the natural world around them, how organisms interact with one another, and the workings of the human body. This course opens up a wide range of career paths including pathology, medicine, zoology, conservationism, dentistry and so much more.

Students study the Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology A-Level (Edexcel A) course.

Entry Requirements:

• Grade 6 in GCSE Biology, or Grades 6-6 in GCSE Combined Science

• Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics

Year 12 Topics

Topic 1: Lifestyle, Health and Risk 

Topic 2 Genes and Health

Topic 3: Voice of the Genome

Topic 4: Biodiversity and Natural Resources

Year 13 Topics

Topic 5 - On the wild side

Topic 6 - Immunity, Infection and Forensics

Topic 7 - Run for your life

Topic 8 - Grey matter

Assessment:

This is assessed in Year 13 across 3 exams:

• Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species Survival (100 marks)

• Paper 2:  Energy, Exercise and Coordination (100 marks)

• Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in Biology (100 marks)

A separate practical endorsement will also be awarded as either Pass or Fail. This is based on practical assessments over the two year course.

There are a number of internal assessments over the two year course, most notably a UCAS prediction exam at the end of Year 12 based on the first year of study.

Chemistry

Chemistry is an extremely challenging A Level and as such is highly regarded by Universities. It is often considered a requirement when applying for the more competitive applied science courses such as Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Sciences, but is equally highly regarded by a number of courses including Engineering and Biomedical Sciences. 

Entry Requirements:

• Grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry or 6,6 in GCSE Combined Science

• Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics

Course Content:

Students will follow the Edexcel A2 Chemistry Course:

Year 12:

1. Atomic Structure

2. Bonding and Structure 

3. Redox I

4. Inorganic Periodicity

5. Quantitative Chemistry

6. Organic Chemistry I

7. Analytical Techniques I

8. Energetics I

9. Kinetics I

10. Equilibrium I

Year 13:

11. Equilibrium II

12. Acid-Base Equilibria

13. Energetics II

14. Redox II

15. Transition Metals

16. Kinetics II

17. Organic Chemistry II

18. Organic Chemistry III

19. Analytical Techniques II

Assessment:

This is assessed in Year 13 across 3 exams:

• Paper 1: Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry (90 marks)

• Paper 2: Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry (90 marks)

• Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Chemistry (120 marks)

A separate practical endorsement will also be awarded as either Pass or Fail. This is based on practical assessments over the two year course.

There are a number of internal assessments over the two year course, most notably a UCAS prediction exam at the end of Year 12 based on the first year of study.

Physics:

At A-level physics, our students follow the Kerboodle AQA Scheme for Learning. This Scheme allows students to access many online resources to assist them in their learning, as well as mini online tests and tutorial videos.

The structure of the course is delivered as follows:

Year 12

• Section 1: Particles and radiation

• Section 2: Waves and optics

• Section 3: Mechanics and materials

• Section 4: Electricity

• Section 5: Further Mechanics

• Section 6: Thermal Physics

Year 13

• Section 7: Fields

• Section 8: Nuclear Physics

• Section 9: Turning Points

• Section 10: Astrophysics

Assessment:

AQA A-level physics is assessed in the summer of Year 13 across 3 exams:

• Paper 1: Sections 1-5 (85 marks)

• Paper 2: Section 7+8 and assumed knowledge from Sections 1-6 (85 marks)

• Paper 3 (80 marks)
  Section A - Practical skills and data analysis
  Section B – Choice of one section from 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13

A separate practical endorsement will also be awarded as either Pass or Fail. This is based on practical assessments over the two year course.

There are a number of internal assessments over the two year course, most notably a UCAS prediction exam at the end of Year 12 based on the first year of study.

KS3

Long Term Plan - Science - Year 7Long Term Plan - Science - Year 8Long Term Plan - Science - Year 9

GCSE and A Level

Long Term Plan - Biology - Year 10Long Term Plan - Biology - Year 11

Long Term Plan - Biology - Year 12Long Term Plan - Biology - Year 13Long Term Plan - Chemistry (Trilogy) Year 10Long Term Plan - Chemistry (Trilogy) Year 11

Long Term Plan - Chemistry (Separate) - Year 10​Long Term Plan - Chemistry (Separate) - Year 11

Long Term Plan - Chemistry - Year 12

Long Term Plan - Chemistry - Year 13Long Term Plan - Physics - Year 10Long Term Plan - Physics - Year 11

Long Term Plan - Physics - Year 12

Long Term Plan - Physics - Year 13

'The Big Picture' Curriculum Map

This document will provide a visual overview of the department's curriculum from Key Stages 3 to 5. This is in a student-friendly format to support them in their understanding the of the department's curriculum. 

Big Picture Curriculum Map - Science

Department Assessment Matrix

This document will provide an overview for assessment for Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

Assessment Matrix - Science

Key Stage 3 Judgement Descriptors

This document will give you an overview of the criteria for Emerging, Developing, Secure and Mastery judgements at KS3 for this subject.

KS3 Judgement Descriptors - Science - Year 8 Spring

Students use home learning to consolidate their learning as well as prepare for future lessons. 

Students will receive on average one piece of home learning every three lessons (two per cycle). This will be a combination of written work in their books, research and consolidation of Google quizzes that interleave previous topics to ensure regular revisiting of content.

Students will receive appropriate rewards for home learning and should be keen to show their work to parents and carers at home. The frequency of home learning will increase at Key Stage 4 and 5 and represent work for students’ examined assessments. 

Q&A Flashcards are a great way for parents to get involved with their children's learning in science. 

KS3 Science

Seneca - https://www.senecalearning.com/

Sign up for free and add the KS3 Science Course. Great for easy recap and revision with some learning checks along the way. 

Educake - www.educake.co.uk

Students are given- questions through this website to complete in class or as home-learning. Students can even set themselves their own tests and choose the difficulty of questions.

KS4 (All Sciences)

Schoology- www.schoology.com 

Students are given access to this in the last term of Y11. This contains powerpoints from teachers lessons, as well as links to exam questions and Topic Checklists. If a student does not have access, they must see Mr. Hayyan or Mrs. Leithead?

Tiny-cards - https://tinycards.duolingo.com/

By following this link https://tiny.cards/collections/2qrbeD9c/aqa-biology-gcse students can find Mr Groom’s profile where hundreds of flash cards have been made  for the Biology GCSE course, broken down by topic. This can be accessed on any device including their mobile phones, where they can download the app, for quick and easy on-the-go revision. It will work best if they make a free account.

Educake - www.educake.co.uk

Students are given- questions through this website to complete in class or as home-learning. Students can even set themselves their own tests and choose the difficulty of questions.

Isaac Physics - www,isaacphysics.org/ 

Students can attempt more in depth physics questions through this website compared to Educake. For support with this website, students should see Mr. Metcalfe.

KS5

Biology

Schoology- www.schoology.com 

All students have access to the A-level Biology course on Schoology from the start of Y12. Here students will find teacher powerpoints, worksheets, exam questions by topic, quick quizzes and more.

Tiny-cards - https://tinycards.duolingo.com/

By following this link https://tiny.cards/collections/2r3Ag5W8/snab-a-level  students can find hundreds of premade flashcards for their course, broken down by topic which can be used on any device including their mobile phones, for quick and easy on-the-go revision. It works best when students make a free account, and download the app to their phone. 

Chemistry

Edexcel website:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/chemistry-2015.html This website can be used to download the course specificiation, relevant documents and the most recent past papers.

Physics and Maths tutor:

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/chemistry-revision/a-level-edexcel/ This is a wonderful resource, with a very large bank of topic specific past paper questions. This is a great way to augment your consolidation.

Chemguide:

https://www.chemguide.co.uk/ This is a great resource, written by an experienced chemistry teacher, who can offer an alternative explanation to lesson notes and revision guides.

Physics

Kerboodle - www.kerboodle.com/ 

Here students will find topic checklists, worksheets and core practical guidance for their AQA course.

Isaac Physics - www,isaacphysics.org/ 

For support with this website, students should see the Head of Physics.