Science

Science Department Intent

Our science curriculum will develop curiosity and nurture interest in our shared environment enabling our students to become kind, informed and responsible global citizens. It will develop students who are able to make informed decisions for themselves as individuals and within society as a whole.Students will learn about the uses and significance of science to society and their own lives. And have an education which enables them to access diverse and valuable careers.

Key stage 3

What do students study?
All students follow a three year KS3 programme based on the National Curriculum. Lessons contain a strong practical element and are all taught by specialist Science staff.

On entry in Year 7, teaching groups are mixed ability. Setting is introduced after students sit an exam in Year 7 and 8 at Christmas. There are also end of year exams to enable setting for the following year. Able students are invited to attend enrichment courses. Trips and visits include fieldwork at the river, Paignton Zoo, visiting speakers, the Big Bang and visits by the Science Museum Roadshow. There is also a competition as part of Sidmouth Science week.

In Key Stage 3, students study a wide range of topics including covering content from Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

How are students assessed?
Students’ progress is assessed in a variety of ways including topic tests, levelled activities and end of year exams. The KS3 programme ends in May of Year 9 with SATS. Students then start preparation for Science GCSE course where they are taught aspects of the Year 10 syllabus in two week blocks by a series of specialist teachers.

Assessment

Key stage 4

Combined and Separate Science

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
All students are required to complete a  minimum of two GCSEs in Science.  In Science we run two programmes of study —AQA Combined (Trilogy) Science and AQA Separate Science.  All students on either programme will study Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with Separate Science students covering a wider range of content.  Students completing the Combined Science course will be awarded two GCSE grades, reflective of their performance in all three sciences.  Those taking Separate Science will be awarded a grade for each subject.
 
The selection for Separate Science will be based upon teacher assessment and examination results in Key Stage 3 and the first part of Key Stage 4 science, with students being selected to take Separate Science at the end of Year 10.  Taking three science GCSEs is very academically demanding and is suited to only those students capable of taking an additional GCSE course in the same time as students following Combined Science.  Students must have a passion for Science and will also need good literacy and numeracy skills.
 
EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAILS
AQA GCSE Combined (Trilogy) Science
AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry, Physics
 
All content and course information can be found on the AQA website.
 
All exams will constitute 100% of the final GCSE grades.  In order to accommodate the greater volume of content, Separate Science exams are longer: 
Combined: 1 hour 15 minutes Separate Science:  1 hour 45 minutes.
 
Combined Science and Separate Science will sit exams in the same format:
Biology:  2 exams Chemistry: 2 exams Physics: 2 exams
 
WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?
Both Combined and Separate Science GCSEs allow students to progress onto A-level studies. Sidmouth College (and most other FE course providers) requires a minimum of two Grade 6s to be accepted onto science courses. Although not compulsory, a Grade 6 in Mathematics is also  preferred. This course will also enable students to go on to Level 3 BTEC courses.
 
FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL?
There is a vast number of science based careers for students to follow, for which this course will be suitable including, but not limited to, medicine, nursing and midwifery, veterinary surgery and science, clinical research, laboratory research, engineering, robotics, genetic engineering, sports science and environmental management.  Science also provides a wide range of transferrable skills required by employers, including the public and armed services.
 
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
We provide opportunities to buy discounted revision guides that go alongside this course.

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Combined Science

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
Combined Science provides the foundations for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future development, and all students will be taught essential aspects of knowledge, processes and uses of science. Students will study a combination of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and results in two linked Science GCSE grades*.  Those students not studying Triple Science will study Combined Science as part of the College’s core curriculum.
 
EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAILS
In line with the changes made by Government to GCSE Science, Combined Science is a new GCSE course from the AQA exam board.
 
Exams and assessment:
Students will sit 6 exams in the summer of Year 11, comprising 2 exams each for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  These exams will constitute 100% of the final GCSE grades.
 
WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?
The Combined Science GCSE is designed to give students access to all three Science A levels and other courses in further education, but students will need to achieve a minimum grade to be accepted onto these courses. This course will also enable students to go on to Level 3 Science BTEC courses.
 
FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL 
There is a vast number of science based careers for students to follow, for which this course will be suitable including, but not limited to, veterinary science, nursing, medicine clinical research, laboratory research, engineering, computing, environmental management and work in public and armed services. Science also provides a wide range of transferrable skills required by employers. 
 
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
We provide opportunities to buy revision guides that go alongside this course.
*Under the new GCSE grading system, Combined Science students will be awarded two paired grades 9-9, 9-8 through to 2-1 and 1-1

​Answers to the Year 11 September exam
https://youtu.be/QdowVxwvwc8
https://youtu.be/GT-qykYfko4
https://youtu.be/qqTx_ltKnP4
https://youtu.be/v-SY2UryQs0
https://youtu.be/6bYrJgYppuI
https://youtu.be/zD6Yrj7l1wc

Key stage 5

Biology

Introduction
Biology is the study of living things, from cells to ecosystems. If you are fascinated by the huge variety of life on Earth, and wish to gain an insight into how organisms work and interact, then Biology could be for you.
 
What do students study?
At Sidmouth College we follow the new AQA level qualification. A level Biology lasts two years with all examinations taking place at the end of two years. Practical investigations are an essential part of the course.
 
Core Content

• Biological molecules
• Cells
• Organisms exchanging substances and energy with each other and their environment
• Organisms responding to changes in their internal and external environments
• Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems and the control of gene expression

How are students assessed?
Assessment is carried out through examinations only. Students will study modules over the two years, leading to an A Level qualification in this subject.
 

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Chemistry

Introduction 
Chemistry is all around us; from our sinks to our medicine cabinets, from our cosmetics to the colour of our clothing, and from our fuels, metals, plastics and polymers to the silicon, vital to the computer hardware that we use every day.
 
What do students study?
At Sidmouth College, we follow the new AQA A Level Chemistry course. Many chemical molecules and materials are studied in depth at A Level because of their importance in our increasingly diverse and technological world.  The core content that you will study is listed below.
 
Core Content

• Physical chemistry— including atomic structure, reaction kinetics and thermodynamics
• Organic chemistry— alkanes, alkenes, amines and organic synthesis
• Inorganic chemistry— group 1 and 7, transitions metals and ionic bonding and systems.

How are students assessed?
Assessment is carried out through examinations only. Students will study modules over the two years, leading to an A Level qualification in this subject.
​

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Physics

Introduction
Physicists explore the fundamental nature of almost everything we know. They probe the furthest reaches of the Earth to study the smallest pieces of matter. Join them to enter a world deep beneath the surface of normal human experience. 

What do students study?
Throughout Physics A Level you will study a variety of topics including:
 · Imaging
· Sensing
· Signaling
· Testing Materials
· Wave Behavior
· Quantum behavior
· Mapping Space and Time
· Out into Space
· Our place in the Universe
· Matter
· Electromagnetic machines
· Charge and Field Probing deep into matter
· Ionizing Radiation and Risk

How are students assessed?
​At Sidmouth College we are following the new AQA A Level Physics over two years. Practical investigations are an essential part of the course.

Contact Head of Department, Mrs Janet Ritchie for further information