In Science our curriculum is built upon “big ideas”, these big ideas link the different topics in Science under 14 themes. Our curriculum builds in breadth & depth as students’ progress from Year 7-11. This results in a continuous learning journey through the Sciences at Hugh Christie. We build strong foundations in Year 7-9 ensuring all students experience the full KS3 National Curriculum offer.
In Years 10-11 we focus specifically on the specification requirements of our exam board AQA. We want to develop our students to think like scientists, therefore, we have carefully sequenced the practical skills required throughout the curriculum, ensuring our students’ leave with a secure understanding of the scientific process.
Our curriculum design ensures regular retrieval of prior learning, links topics to big ideas to secure knowledge, skills and understanding over time. We want students to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding therefore, we provide regular opportunities to practice.
We aim to raise students’ aspirations towards STEM careers through raising their awareness of potential careers in Science & regular opportunities to take part in STEM events.
At all key stages our goal is ambitious, we aim to ensure all students leave Hugh Christie with a science qualification so they have a choice to pursue a science related course or career should they wish to do so.
In Year 7 & 8 we are building the solid foundations needed for success in GCSE Science. Our curriculum is linked to 14 “big ideas” in Science, which students frequently return to as they progress from Year 7-11. We plan and assess practical skills at KS3 so students are not only KS4 ready but also have an appreciation and understanding of the scientific process. They have the opportunity to demonstrate this through our annual Science fair.
The knowledge and understanding we want students to acquire by the end of KS3 is set out in our ARLO’s. Our big ideas are:
Science is a core subject at Key Stage 4, however the Science team at Hugh Christie offer 2 exciting pathways at GCSE. We follow the AQA Science GCSE and we have structured the content to ensure the progression of ideas follow KS3 and our big ideas. At the end of Year 8 the Science Department will allocate students to the most suitable pathways. This will be based on achievement, interest, attendance and attitude. We offer two different courses designed to stretch and challenge all students.
These are:
AQA Triple Science
AQA Combined Science
Course Content and Assessment
Combined Science GCSE
In this GCSE, students cover science concepts that cover all three Science of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There is no coursework therefore students will be required to undertake 12 required practical’s that are assessed in the examination. All students will sit their exams at the end of Year 11 and will be awarded two GCSE’s in Science.
Triple Science GCSE
Pupils have the option of choosing three GCSE’s in the Sciences during year 9. We offer this to all students at either higher or foundation. We do this so we do not put barriers up to anyone wanting to study science at greater depth. They will study additional content over and above what is required in the combined science GCSE. As above there is no coursework and students are required to complete required practicals throughout the course that are assessed in the examination. This is an ideal pathway for those who would like to study Science at A level.
For Sixth Form students, we offer A-Level courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We also offer level 3 Applied Science.
AQA A Level Biology
Biology is a course that is key to a huge array of careers. Put simply, Biology is the study of life. It has close links with Mathematics and Chemistry.
This course is perfect for students who are fascinated in the world around us, the human body and how organisms interact with one another. Biology A Level is an essential component for many science and medical degree courses. It provides an ideal platform for anyone wanting to study the Biological Sciences further. Our Biology course includes twelve compulsory practicals with lots of opportunities to carry out experiments and investigations. The course also develops transferable skills that can be used in many degree courses.
Biology Advanced Level is highly respected by both universities and employers.
Paper 1 Any content from topics 1–4, including relevant practical skills in a 2-hour exam with 91 marks. There is a mixture of short and long answer questions (76 marks) and extended response questions (15 marks). This paper makes up 35% of the A-Level.
Paper 2 Any content from topics 5-8, including relevant practical skills in a 2-hour exam with 91 marks. There is a mixture of short and long answer questions (76 marks) and a comprehension question (15 marks). This paper makes up 35% of the A-Level.
Paper 3 Any content from topics 1-8, including relevant practical skills in a 2-hour exam with 78 marks. There is a mixture of structured questions including practical techniques (38marks), critical analysis of given experimental data (15 marks) and one essay from a choice of 2 titles (25 marks). This paper makes up 30% of the A-Level.
AQA A Level Chemistry
You are the stuff that stars are made of. Chemistry is the study of all chemical substances and how to change one chemical into another. The food you eat, the air you breathe, your own body, your mobile phone, the plants and streets around you are made of chemicals. As you want inexpensive products, chemistry helps to decrease economic costs, and as you want a safe environment, chemistry helps to decrease pollution by detecting the toxins, and by destroying them.
If you like logical problems, and thinking hard – really using your brain – then Chemistry is for you. If you want to know what makes up the world around you, you are a natural chemist.
Mobile phones are small because chemists developed more efficient batteries, and new pigments for the screens. Clothes are more light weight and colourful (or a darker black!) than those of our ancestors. Cars go further on a litre of fuel due to the study of chemical combustion.
Chemistry is also always helping us to develop new products and processes. In the car industry, for example, companies are working on fuel cells to power your car more efficiently, new fuels from plant material and new alloys to make vehicles lighter. Studying Chemistry would complement A levels such as Biology, Physics, History, Geography, English and Modern Languages.
Module 1 Development of Practical Skills Skills of planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation
Module 2 Foundations in Chemistry Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations Amount of substance Acid–base and redox reactions Electrons, bonding and structure.
Module 3 Periodic Table and Energy The periodic table and periodicity Group 2 and the halogens Qualitative analysis Enthalpy changes Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative).
All content is externally assessed through written examination.
AQA A Level Physics
Physics is a challenging but very interesting course for those students who love Science and want to explore it to a much higher level.
In summary, Physics is the study of how everything works. It has close links with Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology.
The Physics course is very practical with lots of opportunities to carry out experiments and investigations. You will also learn to work as part of a team.
Mechanics – mathematics of motion, vectors, projectiles, forces, Newton’s Laws of motion, emery, power and efficiency
Electric Circuits – current, charge, potential difference, resistance, solving circuit problems, resistivity, power, potential dividers, electromotive force and current flow in microscopic terms
Unit 2:
Materials – density, upthrust, Hooke’s Law, stress, strain, Young Modulus and strain energy.
Waves and particle nature of light – wave definitions, interference, standing waves, diffraction, refractive index, critical angle, lenses, polarisation, pulse-echo techniques, photoelectric effect, Einstein’s equation, atomic line spectra.
Advanced Level (two year course)
In addition to the topics above the following are also studied in the second year of the course.
Unit 1:
Further Mechanics
Electric and Magnetic Fields
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 45 minutes consisting of 90 marks (30%).
AS Unit 1: Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 30 minutes consisting of 80 marks (50%).
AS Unit 2: Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 30 minutes consisting of 80 marks (50%).
A-Level Unit 1: Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 45 minutes consisting of 90 marks (30%).
A-Level Unit 2: Assessment is by a paper lasting 1 hour 45 minutes consisting of 90 marks (30%).
In addition, students will sit a third assessment lasting 2 hours 30 minutes consisting of 120 marks (40%). This paper will ask questions from the entire specification.
AQA Level 3 Extended Certificate in Applied Science
This qualification will enable students to develop their knowledge and scientific practical skills recognised by higher education institutions and employers to be most important. It is supported by a wide range of universities including: Aberystwyth University, Southampton University, and Birmingham City University.
Future Opportunities
Taken alongside other qualifications it can fulfil the entry requirements for a number of science-related higher education courses, including: Biomedicine, Forensics and Sports Science, as well as Nursing.
This course is designed to encourage candidates to:
Develop transferable research, analysis, communication and problem solving skills.
Undertake scientific investigations.
Allow students to apply their knowledge in a practical and relevant way.
Develop understanding and skill to help prepare them to succeed in their chosen pathway.
Students will learn about the application of experimental techniques and Science in the modern world, such as:
Scientific principles associated with Biology, Chemistry and Physics;
Experimental and practical techniques associated with applied science;
The roles and skills of scientists;
The public and media perception of science;
How the human body works;
How are you graded?
This qualification contains both externally assessed and internally assessed units. 50% coursework and 50% exam-based assessment
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