Science

Overview

All students study the three separate sciences - Biology, Chemistry and Physics - throughout their time at The Swanage School and therefore have the opportunity to take the three science GCSEs if they wish, while enabling some students to take Combined Science at GCSE (equivalent to two GCSEs) if that suits them better.

Science learning is exciting, with practical investigations and field trips bringing it to life. Learning about the natural world enhances lives in an increasingly technological society, and a love and knowledge of science can provide a platform for more advanced studies and can be the foundation stone for a wide range of exciting careers.

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

"The principal focus of science teaching in Key Stage 3 is to develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.

"Pupils should begin to see the connections between these subject areas and become aware of some of the big ideas underpinning scientific knowledge and understanding."

UK Government

To encourage students to relate science learning to phenomena in the world around them, we have carefully created our own contextually based Key Stage 3 curriculum by adapting Pearson 'Exploring Science' resources. We use modelling and abstract ideas to further develop and evaluate explanations to teach the sciences in a way that ensures students have the knowledge to enable them to develop curiosity about the natural world, insight into working scientifically, and appreciation of the relevance of science to their everyday lives.

Students are given the opportunity to participate in a range of activities, including scientific research, experiments and group activities. They decide on the appropriate type of scientific enquiry required to answer their own questions, evaluate their results and identify further questions arising from them.

Throughout the curriculum, students are provided with opportunities to develop their use of scientific vocabulary, including the use of scientific nomenclature, units and mathematical representations. 

The KS3 curriculum covers the following topics:

Key Stage 4

Studying science at GCSE builds upon and deepens scientific knowledge and understanding of ideas developed in Key Stage 3. 

We follow the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Science specifications. There are two routes that students can follow: GCSE Combined Science (two GCSEs) or the GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics (separate sciences). Our curriculum is structured so that students take Combined Science, or can opt to study for the GCSEs as separate sciences (known as Triple Science). Foundation and higher tiered levels further allow for students to sit science exams in a way that best suits them.

Students have the opportunity to complete a range of contextually based activities in the form of assessment frameworks and research projects which are designed to encourage all students to best show what they know and what they can do, so that every student can enjoy science and succeed in their studies.

The Key Stage 4 curriculum covers: