Science

Topics for the KS3 science examinations in June can be found here.

Year 9 Science Exams

Date

Period

Paper 1

Wednesday June 13

Biology 1 hour

Thursday June 14

Chemistry 1 hour

Friday June 15

Physics 1hour

Topics for revision

Physics Topics

P1 Conservation and dissipation of energy

P2 Energy transfer by heating

P3 Energy resources

P4 Electric circuits

Chemistry

C1 Atomic structure

C2 The periodic table

C3 Structure and bonding

Biology

B1 cell structure and transport

B2 Cell division

B3 Organisation and the transport system

Revise using www.kerboodle.com

Department Overview

The science department at Oakwood School aims to inspire pupils to learn and understand about the world around them, through investigations of how science works with application to everyday life. Pupils will research, plan, carry out practical skills, conclude and evaluate their experiments on a level that allows for independent learning, critical thinking and linking of scientific ideas. There are opportunities for educational science trips, science club, seminars, workshops and university lectures.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 we follow the AQA Key Stage 3 (KS3) Science Syllabus, which is a spiral curriculum delivered over Year 7 and 8. This syllabus uses big ideas from Biology Chemistry, Physics; and mastery goals to equip students for success at GCSE. It outlines what our students need to know, what they must be able to apply and how to extend that knowledge where appropriate. Pupils have six one hour lessons in two weeks.

The big idea topics– Forces, Electromagnets, Energy, Waves, Matter, Reactions, Earth, Organisms, Ecosystem and Genes - are developed in KS3 so that students enter Key Stage 4 (KS4) with a level of proficiency. Each topic contains four smaller topics that build in complexity across the 2 years while reinforcing previous learning. At KS3, there is a strong emphasis on ‘working scientifically’. Students carry out practical and investigative work to build various scientific skills and apply their expanding knowledge to diverse contexts.

KS3 Science Club

The club aims to inspire Year 7 & 8 students and engage them in aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It provides an opportunity for students to see and take part in science studies that may not be covered during normal lesson time. There is an emphasis on fun learning of science with standalone activities and project work.

Key Stage 4

At key stage 4 (Year 9, 10, 11) we follow the AQA GCSE Separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and Combined Science (Trilogy) specification. There are a number of opportunities provided by this course which encourages pupils to develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and exploring the implications of science for society. The aim is to develop the scientific literacy needed for adult life to enable all pupils to engage with an increasingly scientific and technological society

At the end of the course Separate Science results in 3 GCSE grades and Combined Science 2 GCSEs. Pupils have nine one hour lessons in two weeks.

All pupils begin on a Separate Science pathway in year 9. However following end of year 9 and 10 assessments, students may move to Combined Science Trilogy in year 10 and 11 respectively.

The Science GCSE curriculum changed from September 2015. All exams are terminally assessed (no coursework). There is more emphasis on practical skills, application of knowledge and mathematical skills. A minimum of 10% of marks will test mathematical skills in GCSE Biology; 20% in GCSE Chemistry; and 30% in GCSE Physics.

To ensure all pupils take on board the importance of these new changes all practical work is written up in full and staff will give thorough feedback to aid progress after reflection. Maths skills and

application of knowledge are common themes in lessons to help pupils access these parts of the exam. For Subject Content and Assessment for each GCSE Science Specification click on the link below. http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science

Key Stage 5

The GCE Science curriculum changed from 2015. There is no coursework element to A’ Level Sciences. The skills that were traditionally developed and assessed using coursework have been incorporated into the each science and are assessed during the formal exams.

At Key Stage 5 we provide all three sciences Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Biology

The Biology course at Oakwood follows the new OCR A specification from 2015.

Course details:

Biology A-level is split into six modules: Modules 1 to 4 constitute the stand-alone AS-level qualification; Modules 1 to 6, combined with the practical endorsement, make up the full A-level.

Module 1: Development of practical skills. The practical skills in this module can be assessed within written examinations and (for A-level only) within the practical endorsement

Module 2: Foundations in biology – covering concepts required throughout the remaining modules

Module 3: Exchange and transport

Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease

Module 5: Communications, homeostasis and energy

Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

At AS-level:

· AS Papers 1 and 2 can assess any content from Modules 1 to 4

At A-level:

· A-level Paper 1 assesses the content from Modules 1, 2, 3 and 5

· A-level Paper 2 assesses the content from Modules 1, 2, 4 and 6

· A-level Paper 3 assesses the content from Modules 1 to 6

Chemistry

The Chemistry course at Oakwood follows the new OCR A specification from 2015.

Chemistry A-level is split into six modules: Modules 1 to 4 constitute the stand-alone AS Level qualification; Modules 1 to 6, combined with the practical endorsement, make up the full A-level.

Course details:

Module 1: Development of practical skills

Module 2: Foundations in chemistry (covering concepts required throughout the remaining modules)

Modules 3: Periodic table & energy

Module 4: Core organic chemistry 2r of study

Module 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements

Module 6: Organic chemistry and analysis

At AS- Level:

· AS Paper 1 – Breadth in chemistry

· AS Paper 2 – Depth in chemistry

· Papers 1 and 2 can assess any content from Modules 1 to 4

At A - Level:

· A-level Paper 1 – Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry

· A-level Paper 2 – Synthesis and analytical techniques

· A-level Paper 3 – Unified chemistry

· A-level practical endorsement (not part of A-level grade)

· Paper 1 assesses content from Modules 1, 2, 3 and 5

· Paper 2 assesses content from Modules 1, 2, 4 and 6

· Paper 3 assesses content from Modules 1 to 6

Physics

The Physics course at Oakwood follows the new AQA A specification from 2015.

Pupils will sit two papers at AS and three at A2. At A2 especially there is a high level of advanced mathematics embedded in the course, hence we recommend pupils to also study Mathematics to A2.

Course details:

Content

1. Measurements and their errors

2. Particles and radiation

3. Waves

4. Mechanics and materials

5. Electricity

6. Further mechanics and thermal physics

7. Fields and their consequences

8. Nuclear physics

And one of the following option topics will be selected based on the interests and strengths of the students each year.

9. Astrophysics

10. Medical physics

11. Engineering physics

12. Turning points in physics

13. Electronics

At AS Level:

AS Paper 1 & 2 assesses content from topics 1 – 5

At A2 Level:

Paper 1: assesses content from 1 to 5 and 6.1 (periodic motion)

Paper 2: assesses content from 6.2 (thermal Physics), 7 and 8 as well as assumed knowledge from sections 1 to 6

Paper 3: Section A assesses Compulsory Practical skills and data analysis

Section B: Students enter for one of option topic 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13