Science is everywhere

The study of Science is not only valuable in the learning of scientific facts and information, but also in the development of problem solving and reasoning skills, which are useful tools/skills for success and fulfillment in other areas of study and indeed in everyday life.

In the Foundation Stage Science is incorporated into an area of learning called ‘Knowledge and understanding of the World’. Assessment at the end of the Foundation Stage is by the teacher and forms part of the pupils’ Foundation Profile.

At Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 all pupils follow the National Curriculum in Science covering the four attainment targets:

• Sc1 – Scientific enquiry – in which pupils will have learned about the practical aspects of science such as equipment, fair testing, practical procedures, analysing results and drawing conclusions.
  
  
• Sc2 – Life and living processes – in this attainment target pupils will learn about plants and animals, and their environment.
  
  
• Sc3 – Materials and their properties – pupils are taught the physical and chemical nature of materials.
  
  
• Sc4 – Physical processes – in this attainment target pupils will learn about electricity, magnetism, forces and the Earth’s place in the Universe. 

Assessment is by SATs at Key Stage 2 and 3 and by teacher assessment at Key Stage 1.

At Key Stage 4 all pupils follow courses leading to accreditation from the AQA examinations board. The level to which pupils aspire is dependent upon Key Stage 3 SATs results and teacher assessment.

GCSE courses contain work at a level of 4 or above and so a pre-requisite to entry to this course is that pupils have achieved Level 4 or above in the SATs examinations.

GCSE Science is a two year course which will lead to double certification. In Year 10 pupils will follow Science Specification A and in Year 11 will follow “Additional Science” specification.

Practical Skills are assessed by an ISA (Investigative Skills Assignment) which is an internally set practical investigation assessed by externally set assignment. At least one ISA must be carried out for each Science specification.

Science A is assessed by six unit tests that can be taken in November, March and June of Year 10. Additional Science is assessed by examination in January and June of Year 11.

For pupils who do not achieve Level 4 in the National Curriculum there is the Entry Level Certificate in Science.

For Entry Level

The pupils study six units from the twelve available in the GCSE scheme; however, they must include at least one unit from each of the three sciences – chemistry, biology and physics.

Assessment is by externally set assignments (50% of the marks), and teacher-controlled assignments (50% of the marks). Both the teacher set assignments and the externally set assignments form a portfolio of evidence, which is sent to the moderator appointed by the examination board, for standardisation.

As with the GCSE assessment is continuous over the duration of the course and means that pupils must always produce work of their highest standard.

Post 16

Post 16 Students follow the BTEC Short Course Level 1 in Healthy Eating accredited by Edexcel.

Students who have already achieved GCSE grade C or above in Science, may be able to follow Level 2 in Nutrition.

‘Science has the potential to engage and inspire all pupils.’

“The nature of the course and assessment means that pupils must always put maximum effort into their work throughout the 2 years of the course if they are to be successful in achieving their best grade”.