BGS Science Curriculum
The BGS Science Department is committed to developing curious, independent, critical thinking and highly motivated responsible learners, setting the foundations for understanding the world through the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We offer a diverse and balanced curriculum with engaging lessons and enrichment that enables outstanding progress for all pupils across all science disciplines. By building up a body of key foundational knowledge, concepts and skills, students will be able to recognise the power of evidence to rationalise and explain the world and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They will understand how science can be used to explain, predict and analyse. At the conclusion of their school career, our students will:
Intent
Implementation
Teachers create a positive attitude to science learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all students are capable of achieving high standards in science. Our whole school approach to teaching and learning of science involves the following:
Impact
The successful approach at Burnham Grammar School results in a fun and engaging high quality science education that provides students with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the world. Our engagement with local industries and universities ensures that students learn through varied and first hand experiences of the world around them. Frequent, continuous and progressive learning outside of lessons is embedded throughout the science curriculum. Through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts, students have the understanding that science has changed our lives and that it is vital for the world's prosperity. Students learn the possibilities for careers in science as a result of our community links and connections with national agencies such as STEM association and visits to local science industries, and learn from and work with professionals ensuring they have access to positive role models within the field of science from the immediate and wider local community. From this exposure to a range of different scientists from various backgrounds, all students feel they are scientists and are capable of achieving. Students at Burnham Grammar School overwhelmingly enjoy science and this results in motivated learners with a sound scientific understanding.
Key Stage 4
The science curriculum is taught as either the Separate Sciences or Combined Science, with the latter covering almost 75% of the content of the separate sciences. Students taking the separate sciences will be awarded individual GCSEs in the respective science subject, whilst the combined science students will be awarded a double GCSE e.g. Grade 7/7 but will be assessed across the three science disciplines.
AQA Scheme of Assessment
In Separate Sciences, there will be two examinations for each science subject at the end of Y11. Students are required to complete between 8 to 10 required practicals per science discipline throughout the course. These are not formally assessed, but the theory of practical work and How Science Works will be examined in the final written papers. Maths skills are also tested in all three science qualifications (10% of Biology exam marks, 20% of Chemistry exam marks and 30% of Physics exam marks).
Further details are available on the websites below
Combined Science Triology 8464
In Combined Science, students will sit two examinations for each of the science disciplines at the end of Y11. Students are required to complete a total of 21 practicals throughout the course. These are not formally assessed, but the theory of practical work and How Science Works will be examined in the final written papers together with Maths skills.
Internal KS4 Science assessments
Year 11 students will sit assessments in all three Sciences in the Autumn and Spring terms to inform their progress grades. They will also sit formal mock examinations in December which consist of one or two papers per science discipline, akin to the AQA exams. The assessments are composed of GCSE exam questions at the relevant demand.
Year 10 students will sit assessments in the Autumn and Summer term to inform their progress grades and the mock examinations for year 10 are in the Spring term, which consist of one paper per science discipline. The assessments are composed of GCSE exam questions at the relevant demand.
All year 9 students will sit assessments in the Autumn and Spring term to inform their progress grades and they will have internal science exams in the Summer term, which consist of one paper per science discipline. The assessments are composed of GCSE exam questions at the relevant demand.
CHEMISTRY – syllabus A – Examining body OCR
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Chemistry Specification A is a content-led course that encourages learners to develop essential knowledge and understanding of different subject areas and how they relate to each other. The course also allows learners to develop competence and confidence in practical, mathematical and problem-solving skills; whilst gaining a deeper appreciation of scientific methods, such as how society makes decisions about scientific issues. There is a strong element of how chemistry applies to everyday life, including current environmental concerns associated with sustainability and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.
OCR A SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT
Chemistry is a practical subject and students will develop and practice a wide range of practical skills throughout the course as preparation for the Practical Endorsement, as well as for the written examinations.
The Practical Endorsement is internally assessed and moderated by the OCR board. It is reported separately.
The examinations at the end of the second year of study will assess the students’ knowledge and understanding in Modules 1-6. There are three written papers. Paper 1 and 2 are each worth 37% of the course, with the remaining 26% from paper 3. Paper 3 has a particular emphasis on practical skills.
PROGRESSION
Chemistry is a central science, connecting Maths and Physics with applied sciences, such as Biology, Medicine and Engineering. Knowledge of Chemistry will help students understand the physical universe and everyday processes. Learning chemistry teaches students to be objective and enables them to develop analytical, methodical, and problem-solving skills.
Chemistry is one of the Russell Group universities' 'facilitating' subjects. Having A-level chemistry allows you to choose from a wide range of degree options. It also puts students in an excellent position to select from many rewarding careers, including medicine, dentistry, forensic chemistry, geochemistry, R & D management, pharmacy, chemical engineering, and petroleum engineering.
Internal Assessment
Year 12 students will sit assessments in Autumn and Spring, based on typical A level exam questions to inform their progress grades.
They will also sit a formal mock exam in Summer which will consist of short multiple choice questions and longer, more demanding, A level questions to test their application and practical skills. The results of this will be used to inform their predicted grades for UCAS.
Students are also assessed throughout the year with topic tests after each module of teaching.
In Y13, students will be assessed in Autumn and will also sit mock exams in Spring covering all of the content of the course taught up to this point. The assessments will focus on short (multiple choice) and longer, more demanding, A level exam questions.