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"Science is not only a disciple of reason, but also one of romance and passion"
Stephen Hawking
In the Science Department, we hold a firm belief in every student's inherent potential for excellence, regardless of background. Through hard work and unwavering support, we aim to break down barriers, fostering an inclusive community that transcends socio-economic differences. Our commitment extends beyond academic success to the holistic development of students, recognising education as a tool for social mobility.
Understanding the importance of a supportive environment, we offer guidance and inspiration to help students see the relevance of science in the real world. By maintaining structure and routine while fostering comfort and confidence in our lessons, we ensure equal educational experiences for all. We value the contributions of teachers and technicians, acknowledging that better grades lead to increased opportunities.
Through open communication with parents, we foster a collaborative community that supports every child's right to a high-quality education. Ultimately, we believe in the transformative power of great teaching and are dedicated to shaping futures and empowering students to achieve their full potential.
Impact
- In addition to scientific literacy, our students will develop a deep understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through inquiries which help them to answer questions about the world around them.
Implementation
- The curriculum is delivered as the separate sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, in addition to Maths and Working Scientifically Skills, through a range of both practical and theoretical investigative activities.
Academic Journey - KS3
Year 7 |
|
| Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 |
| Lab Safety & Working Scientifically Cells |
Structure and function of body systems Particles and their behaviour |
| Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 |
| Elements, atoms and compounds Forces |
Space Reproduction |
| Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
| Sound Light |
Reactions Acids and alkalis |
Year 8 |
|
| Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 |
| Electricity and Magnetism Motion and Pressure |
The Periodic Table Separation Techniques Health and Lifestyle |
| Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 |
| Health and Lifestyle Adaptation and Inheritance |
Energy Metals and Acids |
| Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
| Metals and other materials The Earth |
Ecosystem processes |
Year 9 |
|
| eHalf Term 1 | Half Term 2 |
| Working Scientifically Atomic Structure Energy and Energy Resources |
Energy transfer by heating The Periodic Table Structure and bonding Cell Structure & Transport |
| Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 |
| Structure and bonding Cell Structure & Transport Energy Resources |
Cell division Electric circuits Electricity in the home |
| Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
| Organisation and the digestive system Molecules and matter |
Organising animals and plants Chemical calculations Maths skills: Arithmetic, handling data, algebra, geometry and trigonometry |
Academic Journey - KS4
Year 10 |
|
| Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 |
|
Chemical calculations - part 2 Communicable diseases Preventing and Treating Disease |
Preventing and Treating Disease Non communicable diseases Photosynthesis Respiration Earth's atmosphere |
| Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 |
|
Chemical changes Electrolysis Energy Changes The Earth's resources |
Energy changes Rates and Equilibrium Crude Oil and Fuels Space |
| Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
|
Forces in Balance Motion Organising the ecosystem |
Force and Motion The Human Nervous System Hormonal Coordination |
Year 11 |
|
| Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 |
| Homeostasis in action Reproduction Variation and evolution Genetics and evolution Using our resources |
Organic reactions Polymers Chemical analysis Adaptations and competition Force and pressure |
| Half Term 3 | Half Term 4 |
| Wave properties Biodiversity and ecosystems |
Electromagnetic waves Light Electromagnetism |
| Half Term 5 | Half Term 6 |
| Revision and Exam preparation | Revision and Exam preparation |
Academic Journey - Year 12
Year 12 - Biology |
|
| Half Term 1 - 3 | Half Term 4 - 6 |
|
Biological molecules Cells |
Organisms exchange substances with their environment Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms |
Year 12 - Chemistry |
|
| Half Term 1 - 2 | Half Term 3 - 4 |
| Physical Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry |
| Half Term 5 - 6 | |
| Organic Chemistry | |
Year 12 - Physics |
|
| Half Term 1 | Half Term 2 - 3 |
|
Measurement and their errors Particles and Radiation |
Waves Mechanics and Materials |
| Half Term 4 | Half Term 5 |
| Electricity Mechanics and Materials |
Revision and Exam Prep |
| Half Term 6 | |
| Fields and their Consequences Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics |
Academic Journey - Year 13
Year 13 - Biology |
|
| Half Term 1 - 3 | Half Term 4 - 6 |
| Energy transfers in and between organisms Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments |
Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems The control of gene expression |
Year 13 - Chemistry |
|
| Half Term 1 - 2 | Half Term 3 - 4 |
| Physical Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry |
| Half Term 5 - 6 | |
| Organic Chemistry | |
Year 13 - Physics |
|
| Half Term 1 - 2 | Half Term 3 |
| Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics Fields and their Consequences |
Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics Medical Physics |
| Half Term 4 | Half Term 5 |
| Nuclear Physics Medical Physics |
Medical Physics Revision and Exam Prep |
| Half Term 6 | |
| Revision and Exam Prep |
Extra Curricular Activities
KS3
- STEM Club
- Year 7: Race to the Line
- Year 8: Energy Quest
- Year 9 Zoolab
- KS3 Homework club
- Big Bang Competition
KS4
-
STEM Club
-
Y10: It’s Just Rocket Science
KS5
- Senior Physics Challenge (Isaac Physics)
- British Biology Olympiad
- UK Chemistry Olympiad
- British Physics Olympiad
Trips
KS3
-
Science Museum
KS4
- Biology: Hollow Pond field trip
KS5
- Y12 Chemistry: Imperial College Taster Day
- Y12 Biology: Ecology Field Trip
- Y12 Physics: Phyphox Thorpe Park Day
Useful Links
KS3
KS4
GCSE / IGCSE Biology Past Papers - PMT
GCSE / IGCSE Chemistry Papers - PMT
GCSE / IGCSE Physics Past Papers - PMT
KS5
British Biology Olympiad – UKBC
UK Chemistry Olympiad | RSC Education
A-Level Biology Past Papers - PMT
Extended Reading List
KS3
On the Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva
The Green Planet by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, Kim Smith (Illustrator)
Blue Planet II by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, Emily Dove (Illustrator)
George’s Marvellous Experiments by Roald Dahl
The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson
The Extraordinary Life of Neil Armstrong
The Extraordinary Life of Steve Jobs
The Extraordinary Life of Stephen Hawking
A Galaxy of Her Own: Amazing Stories of Women in Space by Libby Jackson
Kay's Anatomy: A Complete (and Completely Disgusting) Guide to the Human Body by Adam Kay
Kay's Marvellous Medicine: A Gross and Gruesome History of the Human Body by Adam Kay#
Unlocking the Universe by Stephen Hawking, Lucy Hawking
The Greatest Show on Earth by Mini Grey
KS4 & KS5 General Science
A Short History of Nearly Everything — Bill Bryson
8000 Metres: Climbing the World’s Highest Mountains — Alan Hinkes
The Science Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained — Rob Colson, Camilla Hallinan, David John & Adam Hart‑Davis
KS4 & KS5 Biology
Why Evolution Is True — Jerry Coyne
The Blind Watchmaker — Richard Dawkins
The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals — Michael Pollan
The Private Life of Plants — David Attenborough
The Disappearing Spoon — Sam Kean
Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood — Oliver Sacks
Periodic Tales: The Curious Lives of the Elements — Hugh Aldersey‑Williams
Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man‑Made World — Mark Miodownik
Biological Science Review - Magazine subscription
KS4 & KS5 Chemistry
Chemistry: A Very Short Introduction — Peter Atkins
The disappearing spoon — Sam Kean
Uncle Tungsten – memories of a chemical boyhood — Oliver Sacks
Periodic tales: The curious lives of the elements — Hugh Aldersey-Williams
Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World — Mark Miodownik
KS4 & KS5 Maths
How to Lie with Statistics — Darrell Huff
Humble Pi — Matt Parker
Factfulness — Hans Rosling
Why Does E = mc²? — Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw
Fermat’s Last Theorem — Simon Singh
KS4 & KS5 Engineering
Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down — J. E. Gordon
The Mars Trilogy — Kim Stanley‑Robinson (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars)
imperial.ac.uk
KS4 & KS5 Medicine
Brave New World — Aldous Huxley
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat — Oliver Sacks
The Ghost Map — Steven Berlin Johnson
Happy Accidents: Serendipity in Modern Medical Breakthroughs — Morton A. Meyers
Spillover — David Quammen
Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection… — Vivek Murthy
Shark Gets Cancer, Mole Rats Don't — James Welsh
The Emperor of All Maladies — Siddhartha Mukherjee
imperial.ac.uk
KS4 & KS5 Physics
The Quantum Universe: Everything That Can Happen Does Happen — Jeff Forshaw & Brian Cox
The Perfect Theory: A Century of Geniuses & General Relativity — Pedro G. Ferreira
Reality Is Not What It Seems — Carlo Rovelli
The Particle at the End of the Universe — Sean Carroll
Longitude — Dava Sobel
Quantum — Manjit Kumar