Science: Stimulating Students' Curiosities

Subject Leader: Mr S Deighton – sdeighton@knoleacademy.org

Subject Teachers: Mrs J Corbett, Mr S Ereaut, Miss L Franklin, Ms P Kaliswaran, Mrs E Meaden, Ms K Nixon, Mrs O Odeyemi, Mrs I Slade, Mrs C Walker, Mrs T Green, Mr S Crane and Mr J Parrin

Subject Technicians: Mrs L Bethel, Miss N Donaldson, Mrs K Bullen and Mrs S Burton

Exam Board: AQA

Intent

At Knole Academy, our Science Department is driven by a deep passion for the subject and a commitment to fostering a love for science in all our students. We are dedicated to equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to understand the world around them and navigate the complex challenges of the future. Our curriculum is built on the belief that “Science is a way of thinking” – a way of questioning, investigating, and interpreting the world through evidence-based reasoning. This motto is at the heart of everything we do.

Our Aims:

Inspire a Passion for Science: We aim to ignite curiosity and enthusiasm for science, encouraging students to see it as an exciting, dynamic field that can answer profound questions and solve real-world problems. We believe that every student can experience the wonder of science, and we provide engaging, practical learning experiences to cultivate this passion.
Develop Scientific Thinking: A key focus of our curriculum is to develop students’ scientific thinking. We place a is created, tested, and refined. Our curriculum equips students with the skills to design and conduct experiments, analyse data, evaluate evidence, and communicate scientific ideas clearly.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Science is not just about facts; it’s about learning how to think critically and solve problems. We challenge our students to apply their scientific knowledge to real-world situations and current global issues. Whether it’s addressing climate change, health crises, or technological innovations, our curriculum empowers students to consider the implications of science in society and make informed decisions.
Encourage Inquiry and Curiosity: We foster a culture of inquiry where students are encouraged to ask questions, explore different perspectives, and take ownership of their learning. We provide opportunities for students to engage in independent investigations, develop their own hypotheses, and learn how to test their ideas against evidence.
Cultivate a Scientific Mindset for the Future: Our curriculum is designed to ensure that students are not only ready for exams but are also prepared for life beyond school. By focusing on scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, we aim to develop students who are adaptable, innovative, and able to approach challenges with a scientific mindset, whether they pursue careers in science or any other field.
Inclusivity and Support for All Learners: We are committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their starting point, have the opportunity to succeed in science. Through differentiated teaching, tailored support, and a variety of learning styles, we ensure that each student can progress and achieve their potential. We provide a safe and nurturing environment where every learner feels confident to explore science, ask questions, and make mistakes as part of their learning journey.
Develop Skills for Life: In addition to knowledge, we aim to develop practical, transferable skills such as teamwork, resilience, and effective communication. These skills are cultivated through practical work, collaborative projects, and presentations, preparing students for both further education and life in a rapidly changing world.

Implementation

Our curriculum is structured to ensure that students build a deep, progressive understanding of scientific concepts. From Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, we focus on both the core disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics, and their integration to provide a holistic view of the natural world.

Key Stage 3: The curriculum at Key Stage 3 is designed to spark curiosity and develop foundational scientific skills, focusing on inquiry-based learning and fostering a sense of wonder. matter to ecosystems and energy transfer, while embedding key scientific practices such as experimentation and analysis.
Key Stage 4: In Key Stage 4, students engage with more detailed and challenging concepts, preparing for their GCSEs. Our curriculum is designed to ensure that students can apply their knowledge to real-world situations and are equipped to think critically about scientific issues. We also emphasize practical skills, preparing students for practical assessments as well as theoretical ones.
Key Stage 5: At Key Stage 5, we offer a deeper exploration into advanced scientific topics, where students continue to develop their skills in data analysis, scientific communication, and independent research. This stage is intended to challenge students to think like scientists, using critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning to explore complex concepts. Students are also encouraged to engage in scientific research and pursue projects that build their academic and professional skills.

Impact

Through a curriculum that is dynamic, challenging, and inspiring, we aim to foster a lifelong appreciation for science. By instilling a “scientific way of thinking,” we prepare our students not just for exams, but for life – giving them the tools to engage with and contribute to the world around them with curiosity, confidence, and critical insight.

Science in Each Stage

Science at Key Stage 3 (KS3)

We follow the National Curriculum in science using the Activate five year which bridges from KS2 work to guide students through to GCSE. Students will study KS3 in year 7 and 8, and will start to move onto the GCSE course in year 9.

Students in KS3 will have 3 end of term assessments as well as interim assessments to check for progress and understanding in the foundations of scientific principles.

Aims

The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:

Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

Topics Studies at KS3

Science skills is the first area taught to year 7 and will form the foundations for all the following chapters.

Year 7

Science skills
Paeticles and their behaviour
Elements, atoms and compounds
Reactions
Acids and Alkalis
Forces
Sound
Light
Space
Cells
Structure and function of body systems
Reproduction

Year 8

The periodic table
Separation techniques
Metals and acids
The Earth
Electricity and magnetism
Energy
Motion and pressure
Health and lifestyle
Ecosystem processes
Adaptation and ingeritance

Science at Key Stage 4 (KS4)

AQA Trilogy and Triple Science

We study AQA Trilogy, a double combined science award; students can opt in year 10 to complete three separate science awards.

As the science curriculum is a 5 (or 7) year journey, students are able to transition from KS3 to Ks4 skills whilst in Year 9, to provide them with maximum support for their GCSEs.

Aims of the Course

To acquire a body of scientific knowledge and develop an understanding of science.
To develop experimental and investigative abilities.
To develop an understanding of the nature of scientific ideas.
To develop an understanding of the technological and environmental applications of science and of the economic, ethical and social implications of these.

Science is a National Curriculum core subject and is studied by all students in Key Stage 4. All courses that follow the study programmes will cover a wide range of scientific topics that incorporate aspects of biological, physical, and chemical science. Students follow different pathways according to interest and aptitude.

GCSE Combined Science Units Taught in Years 9, 10 & 11

Biology

Cell Biology
Organisation
Infection and Response
Bioenergetics
Homeostases and Response
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Ecology

Chemistry

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter
Quantitative Chemistry
Chemical Changes
Energy Changes
The Rate and Extent of Chemical Change
Organic Chemistry
Chemical Analysis
Chemistry of the Atmosphere
Using Resources

Physics

Forces
Energy
Waves
Electricity
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Particle Model of Model
Atomic Structure