Intent

In Science we want students to leave school with the ability to be capable, confident, positive citizens.  We believe passionately that young people need a thorough, basic understanding of the scientific concepts that affect and impact on the world around them. It is essential that young people understand the importance of science, not only to positively influence personal life choices, but to motivate and engage the scientists of the future.

In Key Stage 3 pupils are passionate and enthusiastic.  We aim to harness this enthusiasm through scientific investigation to encourage pupils to question the world around them.  Only by questioning can students continue to be inquisitive and have a thirst for learning, exactly what we would want students to have as they move into Key Stage 4.

In Key Stage 4 we want pupils to develop their knowledge.  A love of learning should continue from Key Stage 3 allowing pupils to grasp more detailed scientific concepts, whilst providing a safe space to discuss challenging moral questions.  Students will confidently be able to distinguish between the three specialisms and understand how they overlap and interlink.  They will understand how careers and lives are shaped around science; some students will develop the confidence and skills to continue to study these in Key Stage 5 and beyond.  The concepts embedded in Key Stage 4 can be applied to the world around us, allowing young minds to make safe choices as they move towards adulthood.

Objectives

Our curriculum is organised in such a way that provides our students with the opportunity to learn expected behaviours and be successful in their learning so that we can achieve our #LiveLoveLearn mission.  Our strategic intent is therefore very simple:

We strive to create a curriculum which:

• Provides a diversity of powerful knowledge, which over time, cumulatively builds to provide a platform from which students are able to develop as learners and successful citizens.
• Is delivered by specialist teachers in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
• Literacy that enables students’ access information of a scientific nature.
• Enables all students to enjoy learning and nurtures a passion for the world around us.
• Takes into account individual needs allowing all students to love learning.
• Creates a culture of high expectation and aspiration to raise standards of attainment and progress.
• Develops confident and responsible individuals who can make a positive contribution to society and live safely, independently and sustainably, ensuring we leave a world that allows future generations to do the same.
• Gives students the skills, confidence and academic grades to study the sciences in Higher Education and become the scientists of the future.

Implementation: Design

The Year 7 and 8 curriculum supports mastery and promotes a depth of understanding around scientific skills.  It is designed to nurture the inquisitive minds of young people.  We promote an interest in the world around us by encouraging students to question and investigate.  All of the scientific content is underpinned by the scientific skills of questioning, investigating, analysing and concluding.

The Year 9 curriculum gives students the time and support to become a master of the foundations of scientific concepts.  For pupils to achieve both academically in Key Stage 4, and for us to reach our goal of supporting students in becoming well rounded citizens, there are a number of scientific concepts that students must become comfortable and confident in.  The curriculum is designed to be thorough, allowing students’ time to question and enquire.

Our Year 10 and 11 students are challenged academically.  The GCSE specification covers a large amount of content in the three science specialisms; Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  Students are able to build on the embedded foundations of Year 9, and the ability to question and investigate encouraged in Year 7 and 8 to allow them to develop their love for science. 

Not only will students be able to learn the academic skills and techniques to access and complete exam questions, but also the skills they need to make safe, sustainable, educated choices about their future.  The combined science GCSE course gives students the ability to gain two GCSE grades, preparing them for a range of Key Stage 5 courses along with Higher and Further Education.  Those budding scientists with a real thirst for knowledge will have the opportunity to choose science as an option, therefore studying Separate Sciences and being awarded with 3 GCSE grades in the three specialisms.

We are part of a school whose vision and philosophy is underpinned by #livelovelearn.  The curriculum of the science department strongly reflects the school values.  We believe our curriculum nurtures inquisitive minds, allowing students to ‘dream big’.  It is designed to build confidence in questioning, followed by mastery of key concept, in turn building resilience in young people.  Since the ever changing world relies on problem solvers, our curriculum poses questions for the future and allows students the time to discuss and understand possible solutions; equipping them with the skills and passion to continue to learn and develop throughout their lives.

Further Information

To find out more about the content of the curriculum for each year group, please see our five year Science curriculum maps.

If you require more detailed information, please email the Heads of Department (job share). Mrs Barrett and Mrs Burton’s email addresses are hbarrett@roydsschool.org and fburton@roydsschool.org.