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Science

Course Outline

Science is a core subject and studied by all students from Year 7 to Year 11. At Key Stage 3, students have three lessons a week and follow an integrated scheme containing a variety of both theory and practical lessons.

In Key Stage 4, the majority of students follow a modular course that prepares them for a Double Award in GCSE, i.e. they receive two GCSEs.  These students receive nine lessons per fortnight in Year 10 and Year 11.  Some students who require a more tailored curriculum will follow the single science route and will ultimately receive one GCSE grade in Science.  However, for the individuals who see Science as a fundamental to their further aspirations, or simply those with a keen interest in the subject we do offer Triple Science, covering a more detailed course and yielding the potential for three excellent GCSE grades.

All lessons are taught in one of ten well equipped Science laboratories, each with its own interactive whiteboard, giving the opportunity to develop and hone both practical and investigatory skills as appropriate throughout the Year groups.

Course Content and Subject Organisation -

Key Stage 3

All students follow a course that has been written by the staff to meet the demands for Years 7, 8 and 9.  We use a variety of teaching approaches designed to stimulate interest in the subject.  We are keen to develop the students thinking skills, presentation skills and investigatory skills all underpinned with interactive lessons using the whiteboard to stimulate and develop a knowledge of up-to-date approaches.

The course is taught on a module basis mixing the traditional Biology, Chemistry and Physics subjects into a broad curriculum.  Each term every pupil sits a test that staff use to set appropriate targets and check progress.  Along with formal tests, individual student targets are also set using ‘thinking skill’ exercises and practical-based experimental investigation information too.  These are set using the Levels Mountain – this helps students identify the next steps that they need to take in their learning, in order to access the next level.

Key Stage 4

The course places an increased emphasis on assessing pupil’s ability to apply their knowledge, understanding and skills to how science works in contexts which are relevant to the role of science in today’s society, students follow the AQA syllabus for core, additional or triple award Science. In Year 10 students study core Science which is taught as six modules and assessed throughout the year, in November, March and June as six objective tests. Three further modules are taught in Year 11 and these are assessed as three written exams available for assessment in January and June. A number of Investigative Skills Assessments will be completed throughout the two years. Students with a particular aptitude or interest in science can opt for the separate sciences, gaining three GCSE grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Beyond the Classroom

Our aim is to provide students with opportunities to study topics that prepare them for life in the 21st Century.  Throughout their time at Tanbridge we will give them the chance to access the internet to promote research and curiosity in the constantly evolving world we live in.  We provide them with trips to either local or nationally renowned scientific institutions.  They will also be able to continue their enthusiasm toward the subject through an extra-curricular Science club which can lead to a Bronze Crest Award.  This involves 10 hour of scientific project work, currently presented in a written scientific report.

Parental Support

We welcome the support that parents provide for the students we teach.  This can be offered through purchasing revision guides, promoting the completion of homeworks, to ensure their knowledge is tested, by encouraging the use of the internet to research topics or revise for tests and exams.  It is hoped that this will help parents to assist their children gain the most from their lessons. 

This year we are very excited to be offering our most able Year 8 students the opportunity to accelerate their Science KS3 course.  This enables these students to start their GCSE science in Year 9, completing the triple science components in years 10 and 11.  This is a fantastic opportunity and if successful, we will be looking to continue this in future year.