Science
Tab 1
Introduction
At Hodge Hill College we aim to create scientists with well-rounded practical, scientific and mathematical skills by delivering engaging lessons taught by expert teachers. Pupils are confident in their scientific abilities and are passionate towards Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
From KS3 we aim to equip pupils with the correct skills base in terms of practical and mathematical skills as well as introducing them to the world of work and the importance of Science in real world situations. We continue this into KS4 with an aim to inspire the next generation of scientists by instilling the core school principles of courtesy, achievement, respect and empathy.
It is important to show pupils the world of Science outside of the lesson setting. We provide the following enrichment activities:
- Interactive workshops on alternative NHS jobs. These allow pupils to explore the practical side of employment as well as giving them a chance to talk to professionals about career entry routes and salaries
- 4d immersive lessons on cells and the atmosphere. These allow pupils to ‘talk science’
- Virtual reality workshops on aerospace and what it is like to work at an exciting workplace environment
- Rocket launch events. These allow pupils to demonstrate their collaborative and creative sides as well as stimulating an enjoyment of Science.
- Visits to RAF Cosford. These allow pupils to see a workplace that is reliant on science skills and engineering. This is aimed mainly at girls that are studying physics to help inspire the next generation of female engineers
Our curriculum aims to develop:
Personal learning: Promoting self-awareness and learning about lab safety and the consciousness that an individual’s discoveries can impact positively on the wider world. We actively promote the concept of ‘talking science’ to allow pupils to express their views and use ‘thinking harder’ tasks to allow pupils to stretch and challenge themselves.
Social learning: Working as part of a team during practical and group work tasks enables the pupils to see the effectiveness of collaborative work and equips the pupils with communication and leadership skills.
Cultural learning: Introducing the pupils to ethical and moral situations that link into British values and to new scientific developments that may directly or indirectly impact on one’s cultural beliefs is imperative i.e. nanotechnology or embryonic stem cell science vs. embedded religious or cultural views
Economic learning: Introducing the world of Science in the workplace with links to specific jobs, the skillset needed for these jobs and how to get there in terms of academic and apprenticeship routes. We emphasise the salaries involved and show pupils the alternatives in specific fields. Lessons with workplace links also show the contribution of Science jobs on the wider economy.
KS3
Year 7
Biology | Topic | How it is assessed | Number of lessons until assessment |
Human body | Open book skills assessment | 6 | |
Reproduction and variation | Topic test | 6 | |
Enzymes and food groups | Open book skills assessment | 7 | |
Classification and adaptations | Topic test | 7 | |
Chemistry | Topic | How it is assessed | Number of lessons until assessment |
Changes of state and particle model | Open book skills assessment | 7 | |
Separation techniques | Topic test | 7 | |
Acids and alkalis | Open book skills assessment | 5 | |
Chemical reactions | Topic test | 7 | |
Physics | Topic | How it is assessed | Number of lessons until assessment |
Energy | Open book skills assessment | 6 | |
Fuels | Topic test | 6 | |
Forces | Open book skills assessment | 7 | |
Magnets and space | Topic test | 7 |
Year 8
Biology | Topic | How it is assessed | Number of lessons until assessment |
Cells | Topic test | 9 | |
Photosynthesis and leaves | Open book skills assessment | 7 | |
Breathing and respiration | Topic test | 5 | |
Drugs and exercise | Open book skills assessment | 7 | |
Chemistry | Topic | How it is assessed | Number of lessons until assessment |
Compounds and displacement | Open book skills assessment | 7 | |
Polymers and bonding | Topic test | 7 | |
Combustion and fuels | Open book skills assessment | 6 | |
Atmosphere and pollution | Topic test | 10 | |
Physics | Topic | How it is assessed | Number of lessons until assessment |
Electrical circuits | Open book skills assessment | 7 | |
Waves and sound | Topic test | 10 | |
Properties of light | Open book skills assessment | 7 | |
Uses of light and The eye | Topic test | 7 |
Year 9
Biology | Topic | How it is assessed | Number of lessons until assessment |
DNA and variation | Topic test | 7 | |
Communicable and non commynicable diseases | Topic test | 7 | |
Digestive system and enzymes | Topic test | 8 | |
Osmosis and investigating osmosis Heart and blood (Set 1 only) |
Topic test Topic test |
4 7 |
|
Chemistry | Topic | How it is assessed | Number of lessons until assessment |
Reactivity and neutralisation | Topic test | 9 | |
Resources from the Earth | Topic test | 8 | |
Atomic structure and development of the periodic table | Topic test | 11 | |
Endo and exothermic reactions Electrolysis and cells (Set 1 only) |
Exam question practice Topic test |
6 6 |
|
Physics | Topic | How it is assessed | Number of lessons until assessment |
Energy and efficiency | Topic test | 7 | |
Forces and motion time graphs | Topic test | 9 | |
Hooke's Law | Exam question practice | 3 | |
Basic waves and EMS Light and sound waves (set 1 only) |
Topic test Topic test |
7 7 |
Tab 3
KS4
GCSE Combined Trilogy Science |
|||
Exam board |
AQA |
Course code |
8464 |
Examined by |
6x 1hr 15mins worth 16.7% each (2 x Chemistry exams, 2x Physics exams, 2x Biology exams) |
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Key topics taught |
Chemistry Topic 1 – Earth’s Atmosphere Topic 2 – Using resources (extraction of metals, alloys, recycling etc) Topic 3 – Atomic structure (elements, periodic table, separation techniques) Topic 4 – Bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic) Topic 5 – Energy changes (exothermic, endothermic)
Biology Topic 1 - Cell Biology Topic 3 – Organisation (enzymes, organ systems, plant systems) Topic3 – Infection and Response Topic 4 – Bioenergetics (photosynthesis and respiration)
Physics Topic 1 – Forces (introduction) Topic 2 – Forces B (distance/time graphs, stopping distance, momentum) Topic 3 – Energy (energy transfers, efficiency) Topic 4 – Energy Resources (renewable, non-renewable) Topic 5 – Waves (properties of waves, EM) Topic 6 – Atomic Structure
|
GCSE Biology |
|
|
|
Exam board |
AQA |
Course code |
8461 |
Examined by |
2 x 1hr 45mins exams worth 50% each. |
||
Key topics taught in Y10 |
Biology Topic 1 – Cell Biology Topic 3 – Organisation (enzymes, organ systems, plant systems) Topic3 – Infection and Response Topic 4 – Bioenergetics (photosynthesis and respiration) |
GCSE Chemistry |
|||
Exam board |
AQA |
Course code |
8462 |
Examined by |
2 x 1hr 45mins exams worth 50% each. |
||
Key topics taught in Y10 |
Topic 1 – Earth’s Atmosphere Topic 2 – Using resources (extraction of metals, alloys, recycling etc) Topic 3 – Atomic structure (elements, periodic table, separation techniques) Topic 4 – Bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic) Topic 5 – Energy changes (exothermic, endothermic) |
GCSE Physics |
|||
Exam board |
AQA |
Course code |
8463 |
Examined by |
2 x 1hr 45mins exams worth 50% each. |
||
Key topics taught in Y10 |
Topic 1 – Forces (introduction) Topic 2 – Forces B (distance/time graphs, stopping distance, momentum) Topic 3 – Energy (energy transfers, efficiency) Topic 4 – Energy Resources (renewable, non-renewable) Topic 5 – Waves (properties of waves, EM) Topic 6 – Atomic Structure |
Year 10
Biology |
Topic |
How it is assessed |
Number of lessons until assessment |
Cell biology |
Topic test |
9 (10) |
|
Organisation |
Topic test |
5 (6) |
|
Infection and response |
Topic test |
5 (6) |
|
Bioenergetics |
Topic test |
5 (6) |
|
Chemistry |
Topic |
How it is assessed |
Number of lessons until assessment |
Atmosphere and pollutants |
Topic test |
6 |
|
Resources from the Earth |
Topic test |
9 (14) |
|
Atomic structure and development of the periodic table |
Topic test |
9 (13) |
|
Bonding |
Topic test |
9 (12) |
|
Energy changes (endo/exo) |
Topic test |
6 (9) |
|
Physics |
Topic |
How it is assessed |
Number of lessons until assessment |
Forces A |
Topic test |
7 (11) |
|
Forces B |
Topic test |
12 (13) |
|
Energy |
Topic test |
11 |
|
Energy resources |
Topic test |
5 |
|
Waves |
Topic test |
5 (11) |
|
Atomic Structure |
Topic test |
5 |
Year 11
Biology
|
Homeostasis and response |
Topic test |
7 (8) |
Inheritance, variation and response |
Topic test |
6 (8) |
|
Ecology |
Topic test |
7 (8) |
|
Chemistry
|
Topic |
How it is assessed |
Number of lessons until assessment |
Quantitative chemistry |
Topic test |
8 (10) |
|
Chemical changes |
Topic test |
9 (10) |
|
Organic chemistry |
Topic test |
7 (9) |
|
Rate and extent of reaction |
Topic test |
6 |
|
Chemical analysis |
Topic test |
5 (7) |
|
Physics
|
Topic |
How it is assessed |
Number of lessons until assessment |
Electricity |
Topic test |
11 (13) |
|
Magnetism and electromagnetism |
Topic test |
11 |
|
Particle model of matter |
Topic test |
10 |
|
Space physics |
Topic test |
6 |
Tab 3