Science
Subject Leader: Miss S Payne
Key Stage leads:
Key Stage 3: Miss A Arnold
Key Stage 4: Miss H Fitzjohn
Key Stage 5: Mr O Howland
Key Stage 4
GCSE Combined Science
Exam Board: OCR Gateway
Course Overview
OCR Gateway Combined Science A is studied over two years, with Year 9 as a bridging year between both key stages. Over the course of two years, students will study discrete modules of biology, chemistry and physics.
The biology topics are B3: Coordination and Control; B4: Community Level Systems; B5: Genes, Inheritance and Selection; B6: Global Changes. The chemistry topics are C3: Chemical Reactions; C4: Predicting and Identifying Reactants and Products; C5: Monitoring and Controlling Chemical Reactions; C6: Global Challenges. The physics topics are P3: Electricity, Magnetism and Magnetic Fields; P4: Waves and Radiation; P5: Energy; P6: Global Challenges . Students will study practical skills as an integral part of each module covering the key practical skills needed to be successful. At the end of Year 11 students will sit 6 science examinations in total; each paper lasts 70 minutes and being equally weighted, each will account for 16.7% of the final grade. Practical skills and scientific literacy will be assessed throughout each paper.
Assessment: 100% examination.
Key Stage 5
OCR Biology A-Level
Exam Board: Edexcel A levels - Biology B (2015)
Course Overview
A level biology provides students with a more detailed understanding of key scientific concepts in Biology. Students will learn about complex biological concepts by incorporating theory based learning with core practical assignments. The combination of theory and practical work will facilitate the development of students analytical and evaluative skills required to be successful in both higher education and in employment. Students will combine a detailed learning of specific scientific phenomena with development of problem solving skills and critical thinking. Both intra- and interpersonal skills are developed as students work collaboratively and communicate their understanding with their peers, with an emphasis on using their knowledge to explain ideas and evaluate, interpret and analyse information and data as appropriate.
Assessment: 100% Examination with Assessed Practicals
Curriculum Content
Year 7
Term 1: Working Scientifically & The Particle Model
Term 2: Atoms, Elements, and Compounds & Cells
Term 3: Waves
Term 4: Separation Techniques
Term 5: Reproduction & Genetics
Term 6: Forces and Motion & Ecosystem
Year 8
Term 1: The Periodic Tables & Human Biology
Term 2: Electricity & Magnetism
Term 3: The Earth and Atmosphere & Evolution
Term 4: Waves
Term 5: Separation Techniques
Term 6: Plant Biology & Space
Year 9
Term 1: The Particle Model Level 2 & Atoms, Elements, and Compounds Level 2
Term 2: Cells Level 2
Term 3: Separation Techniques Level 2
Term 4: Human Biology Level 2
Term 5: Forces & Motion Level 2
Term 6: Plant Biology Level 2
Year 10
Term 1: C3 - Chemical Reactions
What are the different ways that chemicals can interact together?
How do we use and control chemical changes for our benefit?
Term 2: P5 - Energy
How can we use machines more efficiently?
B3 - Organism Level Systems
How do cells function to support life in a variety of organisms?
What processes enable animals and plants to function healthily?
Term 3: B3 - Organism Level Systems
How do cells function to support life in a variety of organisms?
What processes enable animals and plants to function healthily?
P3 - Electricity and Magnetism
What would life be like without electricity and magnetism?
Term 4: P3 - Electricity and Magnetism
What would life be like without electricity and magnetism?
B5 - Genes, Inheritance and Selection
How do species change over time? Nature vs Nurture. Which has more of an effect?
Term 5: B5 - Genes Inheritance and Selection
How do species change over time? Nature vs Nurture. Which has more of an effect?
P4 - Waves and Radioactivity
Why are different types of waves and radiation important to everyday life?
Term 6: P4 - Waves and Radioactivity
Why are different types of waves and radiation important to everyday life?
C4 - Predicting and Identifying Reactions and Products
What are the different ways that chemicals can interact together?
Year 11
Term 1: C5- Monitoring and Controlling Chemical Reactions
How do we use and control chemical changes for our benefit?
B6 - Global Challenges
How can we monitor and maintain a healthy biosphere for all life?
How do we meet the challenge of feeding the human race?
How do we ensure the health and wellbeing of our population?
Term 2: B6 - Global Challenges
How can we monitor and maintain a healthy biosphere for all life?
How do we meet the challenge of feeding the human race?
How do we ensure the health and wellbeing of our population?
C6 - Global Challenges
How can we make chemical processes more efficient and sustainable?
How do we take steps to ensure global and local pollution is reduced?
Term 3: P6 - Global Challenges
How will we ensure that we meet the energy demands of future generations?
What factors lead to designing the safest vehicles for transport?
Term 4: Preparation for the GCSE Examinations
Term 5: Preparation for the GCSE Examinations
Term 6: Preparation for the GCSE Examinations
Key Stage 5 Curriculum Content
Year 12
Term 1:
How does the structure of biological molecules affect their function and contribute to the overall function of the human body?
How does the structure of DNA and enzymes provide the basis of all life?
How does the structure of an enzyme affect biological processes?
Term 2:
The ultrastructure of prokaryotes, eukaryotes and viruses.
Details of the types of nuclear division are included and how these are involved in animal and plant reproduction.
Microscopy and observational skills are developed through the preparation of stained plant tissue.
Term 3:
How easy is it to classify organisms?
Why, and how should we try to maintain biodiversity?
Term 4:
How does the structure of the cell membrane allow for the transport of substances in our body?
How are gases exchanged in organisms?
How does the structure of the circulatory system allow for the transport of substances in our body?
Term 5: Examination Practice and Exams
Term 6:
How is energy synthesised in the human body?
How is energy synthesised in plants?
Year 13
Term 1:
How does our knowledge of microbiology help us?
Term 2:
How can gene sequencing and gene expression further biological fields?
What are stem cells and what are the ethical concerns around them?
What is the global debate surrounding gene technology?
Term 3:
What are the Origins of Genetic variation?
How do we carry out the Transfer of genetic information?
Why do we need Gene pools?
Term 4:
How do different control systems keep organisms functioning?
Term 5:
What problems face our ecosystems and do we maintain them?
Term 6: Examination
Useful Information
Out of School Learning (OSL) and Extra-Curricular Activities
OSL for A-level is held on Tuesday after school.