Science gives students the opportunity to explore the physical and physical world around them.
Students will develop a deeper understanding of the systems within their own bodies, their relationship with other living organisms around them, and the impact their actions have on the global ecosystem. We delve into crucial questions of sustainability of energy and the vital resources of our everyday lives.
Students will develop the ability to plan and carry out and investigation methodically, record observations, then critically analyse both articles and data, drawing conclusions from a range of sources. Students will learn to make informed choices that affect their lives, enabling them to contribute to both the local and wider community.
Enrichment
Students can participate in the JEEP Project, working with companies on a real-world engineering problem on sustainability and recycling in a large commercial retail complex. Students can also apply their knowledge to the local environment, with a small Eco-group run within the department.
We also offer the option to study the AQA separate science course for those who wish to gain a more complex understanding of biological processes, chemical reactions, and nuclear physics and space.
Assessment
Science at Beckfoot Thornton, will provide you with a double GCSE qualification, opening up numerous routes into A Level science courses.
There are regular short assessments to monitor student progress in each topic covered as well as mock examinations.
KS4 Specification
Careers
Science offers students not only an excellent knowledge for a career in the traditional academic avenues such as Nursing, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Veterinary science, as well as a range of scientific research posts.
The transferable skills students develop are also useful to many non-scientific careers such as social care, social work, law practitioners, accountancy, electricians and plumbers.
Curriculum Overview
| Year | Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 | Cycle 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Introduction to science The particle model Cells and movement | Energy Separating mixtures Variation Forces and motion | Acids and alkalis Food chains and webs Reproduction Waves – sound Electricity – current |
| Year 8 | Magnets Elements and compounds Circulatory and nervous system The periodic table Waves – light | Reactions of metals and non-metals Breathing and digestion Electricity – potential difference | Photosynthesis and respiration Chemical reactions 2: Equations and conservation of mass Energy, work and heating Evolution and inheritance Earth, rocks and space |
| Year 9 | Atmosphere and climate change Electromagnets Microbes and disease Forces and pressure Rate of reaction | Wave properties Chemical energy GCSE B1 Cells and Transport GCSE B2 Cell division – mitosis | GCSE C3 States of matter GCSE C1 Separation techniques GCSE B15 Ecological techniques GCSE B17 Biodiversity GCSE C2 The periodic table |
| Year 10 | Trilogy: B3 Organisation and digestive system, B4 Organising animals and plants, C1 Atomic structure, C2 the history of the periodic table, C4 simple chemical calculations, P1 energy stores and transfers, P6 molecules, matter and particles Triple:B3 Organisation and digestive system, B4 Organising animals and plants, B5 communicable diseases, C1 atomic structure, C2 the history of the periodic table, C4 simple calculations, C3 metals and metallic bonding, P1 Energy stores and transfers, P6 molecules, matter and particles, P4 electrical circuits | Trilogy: B5 Communicable diseases, B6 preventing and treating diseases, B7 non-communicable diseases, BC3 metals and metallic bonding, C6 chemical changes – metals and reactions, C3 ionic bonding, C5 chemical changes – reactions of acids, P4 electrical circuits, P2 energy transferred by heating, P7 atomic structure Triple: B6 preventing and treating diseases, B7 non-communicable diseases, B8 photosynthesis, B9 respiration, C3 Metals and metallic bonding, C5 Chemical changes – metals and reactions, C3 Ionic bonding, C5 Chemical reactions – reactions of acids, C7 chemical changes, C3 Covalent compounds and materials, P2 energy transfer by heating, p7 atomic structure, P3 energy resources, P5 domestic energy uses | Trilogy: B8 photosynthesis, B9 respiration, B15 adaption and competition, C7 chemical change, C3 Covalent compounds and materials, C6 electrolysis, C8 rates of reaction, P3 energy resources, P5 domestic energy uses, P7 radioactivity, P8 forces and interactions Triple: B16 Adaptation and competition, B10 nervous system, B11 hormonal control, C6 electrolysis, C8 rates of reaction, C8 equilibrium le chatalier, C9 crude oils and fuels, P7 radioactivity, P8 forces and interactions, P9 forces and motion, P12 wave properties |
| Year 11 | Trilogy: B10 nervous system, B11 hormonal control, B8 rates of reaction, C8 equilibrium and le chatelier, C9 crude oil and fuels, P9 forces and motions, P11 wave properties Triple: B12 homeostasis in action, B13 reproduction, C10 organic compounds and reactions, C11 polymers, C12 chemical analysis and techniques, P12 wave properties, P10 Newtons laws, P10 forces and braking, P11 pressure | Trilogy: B12 reproduction, B13 variation and evolution, B14 genetics and inheritance, C12 Earth’s resources, C10 chemical analysis, C11 Earth’s atmosphere, P10 Newton’s law, P12 electromagnetic waves, P13 Electromagnetism Triple: B15 genetics and inheritance, B17 organising an ecosystem, B18 food security, C13 Earth’s atmosphere, C14 Earth’s resources, C15 using Earth’s resources, P13 electromagnetic waves, P15 electromagnetism, P14 light and sound, P16 space | Trilogy: B16 organising and ecosystem – Revision and preparation for exams Triple: Revision and preparation for exams |