Science at ATS

Aims

1.    To fire pupils curiosity about phenomena in the world around them and offer opportunities to find explanations. To ensure that all pupils reach the highest standards they are capable of in Science.

2. To provide challenging and interesting educational experiences that encourages experimentation and modelling, encourage critical and creative thought and show how knowledge and understanding are rooted in scientific evidence and meet our obligation to deliver the National Curriculum.

3.         To encourage students to develop their ideas into an understanding of How Science Works (HSW), the Key Processes (KP) and Key Concepts (KC) involved as well as Curriculum Opportunities (CO) available .

4.   To enable students to discover how scientific ideas contribute to technological change which affect industry business, medicine and improving quality of life.

5.         To provide extra-Curricular opportunities so as to enable pupils to widen their understanding and appreciation of science in industries, NHS and in everyday life situations.

6.         To encourage an ethos of active learning so that students develop and use a range of critical faculties to question, test and evaluate what they learn.

General details

Science is an essential Core subject in the National Curriculum. All pupils at ATS study science incorporating both Investigative Skills Assessment (ISA's), problem solving, numeracy, understanding and incorporating scientific knowledge within a contemporary context. How science works and Assessing Pupil Progress (APP) are key features within the department.

All science lessons are taught within one of five well equipped Laboratories. The department is fully staffed with a well qualified and experienced team of Teachers and Technicians. SOW are regularly updated to meet with the needs of pupils as well as to ensure that all learners are sufficiently challenged and engaged. ICT provision within the department is good with e.g. wireless Lap Tops and a wide range of software available to facilitate the use of ICT in teaching and learning.

A wide variety of Extra-Curricula activities  such as Trips to places of scientific interest, science club, science week activities, science evening for parents are all well established within the department.

Homework is an integral part of the science curriculum. These Home-based assignments, set twice a week, are designed to provide pupils with an opportunity to consolidate their understanding of concepts covered in lessons, extend learning  as well as promoting self-discipline and independent study skills.

KS3 Curriculum

The Key stage 3 curriculum is a condensed but enriched 2 years programme of study (years 7 & 8) which delivers a brand of science that moves away from the traditional textbook centered approach to a fine but flexible blend of practical and interactive activities. The range and content of the Key Stage 3 curriculum involve 4 key areas:  1. Energy, Electricity and Forces; 2. Chemical and Material Behaviour; 3. Organisms, Behaviour and Health and 4. The Environment, Earth and the Universe. The SOW, developed around the Range and Content, is packed with a wide range of stimulating and differentiated science activities such as experimentation, modelling, key processes, key concepts and How Science Works. The SOW is designed so as to engage, motivate whole classes as well as individuals, thereby enabling all pupils to achieve their full potential. The Range and Content is divided into a number of units. Pupils complete a unit each half term and then take progress tests to assess their progress and levels of achievement.  End of year examinations are also in place to provide further baseline data. Assessing Pupil Progress is a key focus within the department. Pupils learning is supported by relevant textbook used in class as well as an interactive soft ware based on the Hodder Dynamic Learning Programme.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum starts in year 9 where pupils are taught in sets and follow one of three Learning Pathways. Each pathway takes cognisance of each pupil's ability as well as providing learning opportunities for them to achieve their full potential. The Examination Boards are AQA and EDEXCEL. Every pupil on each Learning pathway is provided with a textbook as a resource to aid home learning, thereby helping them to develop independent learning skills.

Learning Pathway 1 - AQA Additional Science Course -Awards 2 GCSE grades

This Learning Pathway suits pupils wishing to pursue science related qualifications at Colleges and Universities or a vocational qualification. The course is divided into two segments: 1. Core science and 2. Additional Science.

Core Science

 Pupils study 6 modules with at least one Individual Skills Assignment (ISA). This is done during 6 science periods per week. The modules are:

Core Science Modules	Key Topic
Physics 1a	Energy and Electricity
Physics 1b	Radiation and the Universe
Chemistry 1a	Products from Rocks
Chemistry 1b	Oils and the Atmosphere
Biology 1a	Human Biology
Biology 1b	Evolution and the Environment

Modes of Assessment - At the end of each module pupils take 30 minutes multiple choice examinations externally assessed, worth 12.5%. Pupils also take a Level 1 ISA (an in class practical examination) worth 25%. This leads to the award of one GCSE grade.

Additional Science

Pupils study 3 modules generally called Additional Science. They are: - 1. Additional Physics (P2) 2. Additional Chemistry (C2) and 3. Additional Biology (B2. This is achieved during 6 science periods per week. The modules covered are:

Assessment - At the end of each Module (P2, C2 & B2), pupils take a 45 minutes written examination, externally assessed worth 25% each. They also take a Level 2 ISA worth 25%.

Award - The Additional Science Pathway leads to the award of a second GCSE Science grade.  

Learning Pathway 2 - AQA Triple Science - Awards 3 separate GCSE grades in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

This pathway suits pupils wishing to study science at GCE (AS & A Levels) with a view of pursuing science related studies at University. This course is divided into three segments. Pupils follow the Core and Additional Science programmes as described in Learning Pathway 1. In addition, they study 3 other modules generally called Further Science. They are 1. Further Physics (P3); 2. Further Chemistry (C3) and 3. Further Biology (B3).   

Assessment - Pupils are assessed in the same way as described above for Learning Pathway 1. At the end of each Further science module (P3, C3 & B3), pupils take a 45 minutes written examination worth 25% each. They also take a Level 3 ISA worth 25%.

Award - The Triple Science Pathway leads to the Award of 3 separate GCSE Science grades for Physics, Chemistry and Biology. 

Learning Pathway 3 - Edexcel BTEC Level2 Extended Certificate in Applied Science - Broadly equivalent to 2 GCSE grades at Pass, Merit or Distinction level.

This Learning Pathway suit pupils wishing to pursue specialist work-related qualifications in a range of sectors. It provides pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to prepare for employment or for more advanced qualifications. Pupils can progress to or within employment and/or continue their studies at GCE (A' Levels) in the same or related vocational areas.

Pupils study and produce a number of portfolios in the following units:

1.      Chemistry and our Earth*

2.      Energy and our Universe*

3.      Biology and our Environment*

4.      The Living Body

5.      Investigating a Crime Scene

*= Mandatory units

Assessment - Pupils produce a portfolio of evidence of their learning for each unit. These are 100 % internally assessed but externally verification does take place. Pupils are awarded a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade broadly equivalent to 2 GCSE grades. 

Key stage 5 curriculum

As part of the NL 6th form, there are vibrant Physics and Biology GCE AS & A level course taught by a number of specialist staff. The curriculum is based on the Edexcel examination board. We employ innovative approaches to the teaching and learning of A level physics and Biology. SOWs have been designed that are flexible, inspiring and engaging. Assessment is through a series of written examinations and research based projects. Students are also provided with opportunities to visit and experience what studying in Universities is like e.g. various trips and workshops at for example Cambridge and Kings College Universities. Several of our pupils have gone on to study science related courses at a variety of Universities throughout the UK.