Key Stage 3
In the Programme of Study for Science the content is set out in a sequence of units covering:
- Scientific Enquiry
- Life Processes and Living Things
- Materials and Their Properties
- Physical Processes
This science programme of study helps to develop confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The ‘How science works’ approach to learning allows opportunities for students to build on their scientific knowledge and understanding through investigations, research, ICT, discussion and written work. Students are encouraged to think about the advantages and drawbacks of scientific developments and to apply science to their everyday lives.
Assessment Procedures
Students are assessed every half-term during their year 7 & 8 science course.
Marking criteria is shared with students, challenging tasks are set by the teacher and students are then assigned a level.
All students maintain an assessment tracker in their own work book. This shows their current test levels, end of year targets and advice on how to improve.
They then use this information to reflect and create new targets for greater successes in their future studies.
Students are also set homework and in class practical investigation assessments.
Key Stage 4
GCSEs are changing as part of government reforms to qualifications for 14 –19 year olds. The reforms represent a valuable opportunity for us to update and review our GCSE Science suite for 2011.
At Kingsford Community school we follow the Edexcel exam board specification.
This enables us to developed pathways that enable every student to fulfil their potential.
We choose to deliver:
- GCSE Science as a single award and combine with
- GCSE Additional Science to give a double award
- GCSE Triple science three sciences separately, to give students three distinct science GCSEs, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
- Btec First Certificate to provide a vocational course with a double GCSE equivalence grade awarded
GCSE Science
Most students follow GCSE Science and GCSE additional science, these are both single year GCSE courses. Together they form the Science GCSE Double award (2 GCSE’s)
During year 11, students that are studying for their additional science GCSE. This course follows a balanced Science curriculum comprising of 12 modules divided between the biology, chemistry and physics discipline. The work builds on last year's GCSE science award.
Assessment procedures
Each unit of study is followed by a written test on how science works within that unit. The best physics, biology and chemistry marks for these tests make up 30% of the students' final grade. 10% of the grade is awarded by the teacher as an assessment of the students' practical skills over the course of the year. 60% of the final grade is assessed in two sets of written and multiple choice papers, in March and June.
Triple Science
Triple Science is a course that incorporates the Key Stage 4 Programme of Study. They will gain one GCSE in science and will then move onto the Additional GCSE science course to complete their second GCSE for a double award and be assessed in Biology, Chemistry and Physics to obtain the triple award (3 GCSEs).
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The course is both theoretical and practical.
Students are encouraged to evaluate evidence and the implications of science for society, explaining, theorising and modelling in science and procedural and technical knowledge of science.
Students are required to engage in practical scientific investigations that develop the skills of planning, observing, analysis and evaluation.
Assessment procedures
Each GCSE for Biology, Chemistry and Physics will be assessed individually. The assessment will be made up of a practical assessment skills test contributing 20% of the student's grade. Assessment of scientific content is worth 40% through a combination of multiple choice and written exams, with the remaining 40% coming from coursework styled portfolios.
BTEC First certificates
BTEC offers a practical, hands-on approach to science that can be lacking in more traditional routes. Students have to undertake a number of units for which they present evidence, based on actual work and studies. This allows them to demonstrate their skill and knowledge.
Students who successfully complete their science BTEC in year 10 and 11 gain two equally valuable Science GCSE’s.
Continuous assessment
When studying the BTEC First in Science progress is measured throughout their course, allowing the student to gauge their own performance on a continuing basis, just like in a real workplace. Students are more engaged and motivated as a result, as they can see their own progress through the course rather than waiting to the end to sit an exam.
For many learners, the BTEC route with all work assessed through the year and no final exams could be the better option.
Many options are available to students to engage in BTEC Science, like further education, Apprenticeships and jobs that offer workplace learning and vocational degrees.
BTEC offers students a full progression route from Entry level through to Level 5 Higher Nationals.
