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Science

“It is important to view knowledge as sort of a semantic tree - make sure you understand the fundamental principles, i.e.the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves and the details or there is nothing for them to hang on to.”

Elon Musk

Science allows us to understand how the universe around us works; from the smallest sub-atomic particle, to the furthest reaches of space.

Here at Bordesley Green Girls' School and Sixth Form, we want to develop enquiring minds which continually learn through questioning, investigating, analysing and evaluating. We equip students for the challenges of modern life by building knowledge and understanding of the environment, health issues, technology and the natural world.

We believe that B.G.G.S really does bring our girls greater success by providing a rich, diverse, challenging and practical curriculum which inspires them with a love of science.

Assessment

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10, (Examination Board - Edexcel/ Pearson)

Year 11, (Examination Board - Edexcel/ Pearson)

A Level Biology, (Examination Board - OCR-A)

A Level Chemistry, (Examination Board - AQA)

A Level Physics, (Examination Board - OCR-A)

Required Text Books

Year 7 Science

Term

Topic/ Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Science skills & core practicals

Biology – B1 Cells

Describe what a cell is

Describe and Explain the role of each structure in animal cells and plant cells: nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplast and vacuole. 

Analyse why water will move into or out of cells which are placed in pure water and salt solution.

Chemistry C1 Particles & Reactions

Use a simple kinetic theory model to explain the different states of matter in terms of movement and arrangement of particles.

Analyse the rates of diffusion in liquids using experimental data.

Analyse and explain observations in chemical reactions.

Physics – P3 Space

Recall names, features and orders of planets in the solar system.

Understand and explain the difference between mass and gravity.

Explain the benefits of space exploration.

Test on Working Scientifically, B1, C1 & P3.

Complete full investigations for each topic after the test, until the end of term.

Spring

Science skills & core practicals

Biology – B2 Reproduction

Explain the stages of the human life cycle.

Describe and Explain the stages of the menstrual cycle and name the two main hormones which control it.

Explain the role of the placenta in the exchange of oxygen and food from the mother’s blood to the baby’s blood and carbon dioxide and other wastes from the baby’s blood to the mother’s blood.

Chemistry – C2 Acids & Alkalis

Describe what happens when an acid reacts with an alkali.

Define and explain neutralisation.

Being able to interpret the pH scale.

Physics – P1 Energy & Electricity

Describe the energy transfers in some devices.

Produce a model to show energy conservation (e.g.Sankey diagram).

Analyse the changes involved in the way energy is stored when a system changes, including: an object projected upwards or up a slope and bringing water to a boil in an electric kettle.

Test on Working Scientifically, B2, C2 & P1.

Complete full investigations for each topic after the test, until the end of term.

Summer

Science skills & core practicals

Biology – B3 Classification & Ecology

Identify animals or plants in their habitat using a key or identification guide.

Describe the characteristics of organisms in the kingdoms, fungi, protoctista and prokaryotae.

Debate why biodiversity is greater in a rainforest than open fields.

Physics – P2 Forces & Speed

Produce force diagrams with arrows to show the direction a force is acting in.

Investigate Hooke’s law as a special case of measuring stretching and compression.

Relate ideas and understanding about forces to situations in society, such as detecting drivers’ braking speed limits.

End of year exams in to include B1, B2, C1, C2, P1, P3 with some aspects of B3 &P2.

Extra Curricular Activities

STEM / Science club

Gardening club

Resources:

https://www.senecalearning.com/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zng4d2p

KS3 Science Complete Study & Practice (CGP KS3 Science) - book

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Year 8 Science

Term

Topic/ Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Biology – B4 Breathing & digestion

Carry out a full investigation on measuring energy in different foods by burning.

Analyse the links between diet imbalances and obesity, starvation and deficiency diseases.

Assess the effect of a lack of enzymes on a person‘s health

Chemistry – C3 Separating mixtures

Explain how to measure the solubility of sugar and Interpret a solubility graph or tables of solubility data.

Assess the hazards of using materials such as flammable solvents.

Physics – P4 Magnetism

Describe the shape and direction of a magnetic field around bar magnets and relate the strength of the field to the concentration of lines.

Explain how magnetic materials can be magnetised using a simple domain model.

Explain how magnetic effects are used in electric motors and generators.

Test on Working Scientifically, B4, C3 & P4.

Complete full investigations for each topic after the test, until the end of term.

Spring

Biology – B5 Disease & your body

Explain the roles of different parts of the human skeleton.

Investigate microorganisms grown on agar plates.

Use the immune response model to explain how allergies are caused, how vaccines work and why some people never catch a disease.

Chemistry – C4 Atoms, Elements & Compounds

Describe the structure of an atom.

Explain how to use the Periodic Table to classify elements

Produce a symbol equation from the word equation.

Physics – P5 Sound

Define and use the terms frequency, amplitude and wavelength as applied to waves.

Distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves.

Calculate the speed of waves by using the equation. Wave speed= Frequency x Wavelength.

Test on Working Scientifically, B5, C4 & P5.

Complete full investigations for each topic after the test, until the end of term.

Summer

Biology – B6 Variation

Describe the causes of variation due to environmental and inherited factors and the interactions between them.

Evaluate how variation can lead to adaptation.

Debate the ethical factors associated with genetics and provide reasoned arguments.

Identify types of rocks and analyse sedimentary rocks and drawn your conclusions of whether they can contain fossils.

Describe the separation of crude oil into simpler, more useful mixtures by the process of fractional distillation.

Chemistry – C5 Earth & Atmosphere

Explain how various gases in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour, absorb heat radiated from the Earth, subsequently releasing energy which keeps the Earth warm: this is known as the greenhouse effect.

Physics – P6 Heat

Explain the effect of changing the temperature of a gas on the velocity of its particles and hence on the pressure produced by a fixed mass of gas at constant volume.

Explain using ideas about energy transfer, the dissipation of heat and sound during transfer processes. 

End of year exams to include WS, B4, B5, C3, C4, P4, P5 with some aspects of C5 & P6.

Extra-Curricular Activities.

STEM / Science club

Gardening club

Resources:

https://www.senecalearning.com/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zng4d2p

KS3 Science Complete Study & Practice (CGP KS3 Science) - book 

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Year 9 Science

Term

Topic     Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Biology – B7 Photosynthesis & fermentation

Describe how sugars, water and minerals are transported in plants .

Explain, using a diagram or model, how a root and a leaf is adapted to do its job.

Contrast the roles of chemosynthesis and photosynthesis and photosynthesis play in food webs.

Describe how the Dalton model of an atom has changed over time because of the discovery of subatomic particles.

Chemistry – C6 Periodic table

Describe how Mendeleev arranged the elements, known at that time, in a periodic table by using properties of these elements and their compounds.

Apply the reactivity series to explain why carbon is used to obtain some metals from their ores.

Physics – P7 Electricity & Light

Draw and use electric circuit diagrams representing them with the conventions of positive and negative terminals and the symbols.

Explain that electrical energy is dissipated as thermal energy in the surroundings when an electrical current does work against electrical resistance.

Explain how convex lenses and concave lenses work.

Test on Working Scientifically, P7, B7 & C6 + complete full investigations for each topic after the test, until the end of term.

Spring/ Summer

Revise Year 7 & 8 science topics and working scientifically.

Students carry out working scientifically extended investigation.

Students start KS4 topics.

GCSE BIOLOGY

Biology - Cells, Microscopes and Genetics

Role of microscopes in finding out more about the sub-cellular strucutres found in plant, animal and bacterial cells.

Explain the mechanism of enzyme action including the active site and enzyme specificity – the importance of enzymes in nutrition, growth and development.

Describe the structure of DNA – what are the DNA bases – how are the DNA strands held together.

GCSE CHEMISTRY

Chemistry – States of Matter and Separating Mixtures

Describe the arrangement of particles in the three states of matter.

What are the hazards and risks when separating mixtures, by filtration, crystallisation, chromatography and distillation?

Describe how different separation methods work and how do you choose a separation method based on the properties of the substances in the mixture.

GCSE PHYSICS

Physics - Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum and Radioactivity

Describe the differences between longitudinal and transverse waves.

Describe the harmful effects and uses of electromagnetic radiation.

Describe the types of radiation emitted from unstable nuclei.

KS3 Science Exam – end of January or beginning of February.

End of year 9 Exam in June/July on GCSE topics.

There will also tests on each GCSE topic studies in year 9.

Extra-Curricular Activities

year 9 STEM club

Resources:

https://www.senecalearning.com/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zng4d2p

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zqkww6f 

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Year 10 Science

Term

Topic     Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Biology – Topic1: Key concepts and Cells and Control

Use and development of microscopes.

How enzymes are affected by pH, Temperature.

How substances are carried by diffusion, osmosis and active transport.

Mitosis and What is its importance in growth, repair and sexual reproduction.

How cells become specialised and importance of stem cells.

Explain how the nervous system works.

Chemistry – Atomic Structure and periodic table

How ideas about atoms have changed.

How to calculate RAMs.

How Mendeleev developed the Periodic table.

Bonding

How ionic, covalent and metallic bonds are formed

How Physical properties are liked to its physical structure.

Physics – Motion and Forces

What are scalar and vector quantities.

Calculating speed and acceleration.

Understanding Newton’s laws of motion.

How to calculate momentum.

Waves and EM spectrum

What are waves.

Harms and uses of EM waves. 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

Core practicals.

Spring

Biology – Genetics and Natural Selection

What is the structure of DNA.

Gene mutations and how genes cause genetic variation.

Why certain characteristics are passed down through families.

About Darwin’s theory of evolution.

How different methods are used to investigate evolution.

How genetic modification is done.

Chemistry - Acids and alkalis – Calculations involving masses

How to calculate concentration.

What is the pH scale.

What happens between acids and bases in a reaction.

How to prepare soluble and insoluble salts.

Physics - conservation of energy

How energy is stored and transferred.

How to represent energy diagrams.

What is energy efficiency.

Hoe to calculate GPE and KE.

What are different renewable energy resources. 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

Core practicals.

Summer

Biology – Health, disease and development of Medicine

How we define health.

About some pathogens and diseases they cause.

About the immune system.

How antibiotics work.

Ecosystems

Advantages of recycling.

The processes involved in life cycle assessment.

Chemistry – Electrolysis, obtaining metals and Equilibria

How is electrolysis carried out.

What is dynamic equilibria and the factors affecting it.

Reactivity, oxidation and reduction

How to extract metals.

Physics – Radioactivity

How are particles arranged.

What are different types of ionisations.

What is background radiation. 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

End of year 10 exam.

Core practicals.

Extra-Curricular Activities

After school and lunchtime intervention.

STEM club

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Year 11 Science

Term

Topic     Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Biology – finish ecosystems;

How ecosystems are arranges.

Importance of carbon, nitrogen and water cycle.

Plant structures and their functions

How different factors affect photosynthesis.

How rate of water uptake by a plant is affected by different factors.

How reactants and products of photosynthesis are transported.

Chemistry – Groups in Periodic table

Properties and reactions of group1, 7 and 0.

Rates of reaction

Heat and energy changes

How changes in conditions effect rate of a reaction.

What energy transfers occur in reactions.

How energy system can be changed.

Physics – Energy forces doing work

How to calculate power and work done.

Contact and non-contact forces.

Electricity and circuits

What is current, charge and p.d.

How to calculate resistance, power and energy transferred.

Regular homework on exam style questions to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

December mocks

Core practicals.

Spring

Biology – Animal coordination, Control and Homeostasis

What are endocrine glands.

How menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones.

Diabetes.

How some hormones affect the bod.

Chemistry – Fuels and Earths atmosphere

The hydrocarbons found in crude oil.

How crude oil separates into fractions.

How the fractions are used.

How the earth’s atmosphere has changed over billions of years.

Cause of climate change.

Physics - Magnetisms and motor effect

Permanent and induced magnets and how to induce magnetism.

Magnet fields around a wire.

Electricity and circuits How to use the power equation for transformers.

How to calculate the size of the force on a wire carrying current. 

Regular homework on exam style questions to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

March mocks

Core practicals.

Summer

Biology – Exchange and transport in animals

More about diffusion, gas exchange and the surface area : volume ratio.

Different types of respiration.

How different organs (i.e lungs, heart) are adapted to their functions.

Physics – Particle model

How to explain densities of substance and how to calculate density.

How to calculate and investigate specific heat capacity and latent heat.

What is the Kelvin temperature scale.

Forces and Matter

Relationship between force, extension and how to investigate it.

Chemistry -  revision

Revision for GCSE exams 

Regular homework on exam style questions to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

Extra-Curricular Activities

After school and lunchtime intervention.

STEM club

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Year 12 Physics

Term

Topic     Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Module 1 – Development of Practical Skills in Physics

Newton’s Laws of Motion

How to conduct physics practicals to an A-Level standard

How to reduce uncertainties in measurements

How to combine uncertainty values

Module 3 – Forces and Motion

Motion

How to analyse the movement of an object undergoing constant acceleration

Forces in action

How balanced and unbalanced forces affect the movement of an object

Work, energy and power

How energy is transferred and stored

Materials

How different forces affect the deformation of different materials

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of topic test questions for homework.

Regular online-assessed topic questions.

End of unit tests.

Core practicals.

Spring

Module 4 – Electrons, Waves and Photon

Electricity

How to simplify and analyse circuits

How to use build circuits using a variety of components in order to solve real-world problems

How to apply Kirchhoff’s Laws to circuits

Waves

Common features of all waves

Common features of all EM waves

The principle of interference

How to form stationary waves 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of topic test questions for homework.

Regular online-assessed topic questions.

End of unit tests.

Core practicals.

Summer

Module 4 – Electrons, Waves and Photons

Quantum physics

Revision for end of year exams

The definition of the Photon and the Electronvolt

How to determine and use Planck’s constant

What is meant by the photo-electric effect

Module 5 – Newtonian World and Astrophysics

What is meant by wave-particle duality

Kinetic theory

Thermal physics

Internal energy

Specific Latent Heat and Specific Heat Capacity 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of topic test questions for homework.

Regular online-assessed topic questions.

End of unit tests.

Core practicals.

 N.b. Module 2 – Foundations of Physics is taught throughout the year, embedded within the curriculum

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Year 13 Physics

Term

Topic Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Module 5 – Newtonian World and Astrophysics

Thermal physics

Investigating gases and the principle of ideal gases

Circular motion

Kinematics of Circular motion

What is meant by simple harmonic motion

How to derive and use the equations for simple harmonic motion

Oscillations

Energy of oscillators

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of topic test questions for homework.

Regular online-assessed topic questions.

End of unit tests.

Core practicals.

Spring

Module 5 – Newtonian World and Astrophysics

Astrophysics and Cosmology

Gravitational fields

What is meant by gravitational fields

The motion of planets and satellites

What is meant by gravitational potential and gravitational potential energy

The life cycle of a star

Wien’s Law and Stefan’s Law

Astronomical distances

The evolution of the Universe

Dark matter and Dark energy

Module 6 – Particles and Medical Physics

Electric Fields

Capacitors

How capacitors can be arranged

Energy stored on capacitors

Electromagnetism

How electric and magnetic fields compare to gravitational fields 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of topic test questions for homework.

Regular online-assessed topic questions.

End of unit tests.

Core practicals.

Summer

Module 6 – Particles and Medical Physics

Nuclear and Particle physics

Fundamental particles

Medical Physics

Radioactive decay

Mass-energy conservation

Techniques and procedures for medical diagnosis and treatment

Revision for end of year exams 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of topic test questions for homework.

Regular online-assessed topic questions.

End of unit tests.

Core practicals.

 N.b. Modules 1 and 2 – Practical Skills and Foundations of Physics are taught and revisited throughout the year, embedded within the curriculum

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Year 12 Chemistry

Term

Topic/ Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Atomic structure

Amount of substance

Bonding

Redox reactions

Periodicity

Group 2, 7 Chemistry

• determine the number of fundamental particles in atoms and ions using mass number, atomic number and charge • explain the existence of isotopes.

interpret simple mass spectra of elements • calculate relative atomic mass from isotopic abundance, limited to mononuclear ions.

using the Avogadro constant • using mass of substance, Mr, and amount in moles • using concentration, volume and amount of substance in a solution.

Explain trends across the periodic table

• relate the melting point and conductivity of materials to the type of structure and the bonding present • explain the energy changes associated with changes of state • draw diagrams to represent these structures involving specified numbers of particles. 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of topic test questions for homework.

Regular online-assessed topic questions.

End of unit tests.

Core practicals.

Spring

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Alkanes, Alkenes

draw structural, displayed and skeletal formulas for given organic compounds

apply IUPAC rules for nomenclature to name organic compounds limited to chains and rings with up to six carbon atoms each

understand isomerism

outline mechanisms by drawing the structures of the species involved and curly arrows to represent the movement of electron pairs.

Outline key mechanisms: free radical substitution, electrophilic addition and elimination.

 Energetics

use Hess’s law to perform calculations, including calculation of enthalpy changes for reactions from enthalpies of combustion or from enthalpies of formation.

use the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution to explain why a small temperature increase can lead to a large increase in rate.

Chemical equilibria

use Le Chatelier’s principle to predict qualitatively the effect of changes in temperature, pressure and concentration on the position of equilibrium

construct an expression for Kc for a homogeneous system in equilibrium

Kinetics

calculate a value for Kc from the equilibrium concentrations for a homogeneous system at constant temperature

predict the qualitative effects of changes of temperature on the value of Kc

Trial Exam

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of topic test questions for homework.

Regular online-assessed topic questions.

End of unit tests.

Core practicals.

Summer

Halogenokanes

Alcohol

Organic Analysis

• outline the nucleophilic substitution mechanisms of these reactions • explain why the carbon–halogen bond enthalpy influences the rate of reaction.

use equations, to explain how chlorine atoms catalyse decomposition of ozone

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of topic test questions for homework.

Regular online-assessed topic questions.

End of unit tests.

Core practicals.

End of year Exam

Year 12 Biology

Term

Topic/ Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Module 2 –Foundations in Biology

Nucleic acids

Cell division and cell diversity

Describe a cell as the basic structural unit of all organisms.

Cell structure and microscopy

Describe the main sub-cellular structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells in relation to their function

Describe some anabolic and catabolic processes in living organisms including the importance of sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and glycerol  in the synthesis and breakdown of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins

Biological molecules

Membranes and transport

Explain how substances are transported into and out of cells though diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.

Enzymes

Explain the mechanism of enzyme action. 

Recall the difference between intracellular enzymes and extracellular enzymes.

Describe the cell cycle. 

Describe cell differentiation.

Relate the adaptation of specialised cells to their function.

Maths skills

Changing the subject of an equation when working with microscopy.

Converting units when working with microscopy.

Working with negative numbers when calculating water potential when studying osmosis.

Working in standard form. 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of unit tests

.

Independent work on specific topics.

Core practicals.

Spring

Module 3 Exchange and transport

Transport in animals

Explain the need for exchange surfaces and a transport system in terms of surface area: volume ratio. 

Describe substances transported into and out of a range of organisms in terms of the requirements of those organisms.

Describe the human circulatory system, in relationship with the gaseous exchange system, and explain how the structure of the heart and the blood vessels are adapted to their functions.

Exchange surfaces and breathing

Explain how  blood cells are adapted to their functions in the blood

Maths skills.

Use ratios, fractions, and percentages to calculate surface area: volume ratios. Estimate results to understand surface area: volume ratios

Module 4 Biodiversity, evolution and disease

Communicable diseases

Explain how communicable diseases are spread in animals and plants.

Describe the non-specific defence systems and the role of the immune system in the human bodies defence against disease.

Explain the use of vaccines and medicines in the prevention and treatment of disease

Classification

Describe the impact of developments in biology on classification systems.

Evolution

Explain how evolution occurs through natural selection of variants that give rise to phenotypes best suited to their environment and may result in the formation of new species.

Describe the evidence for evolution, including fossils and antibiotic resistance in bacteria. 

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

Spring Mock

Core practicals.

Summer

Module 3 Exchange and transport

Transport in plants

Explain how structures of xylem and  phloem are adapted to functions in plants

Explain how water and mineral ions are taken up by plants, relating the structure of the root hair cells to their function. 

Describe the processes of transpiration and translocation, including the structure and function of the stomata. 

Explain the effect of a variety of environmental factors on the rate of water uptake by a plant

Module 4 Biodiversity, evolution and disease

Biodiversity

Describe how to carry out a field investigation into organisms in an ecosystem and explain how to determine their numbers in a given area.

Describe human interactions within ecosystems and explain their impact on biodiversity.

Explain  the benefits and challenges of maintaining local and global biodiversity

Maths skills

Use Simpson's Index of Diversity to measure biodiversity in a habitat.

Ecosystems –succession  and sampling, including field trip

Module 5 Communication, homeostasis and energy

Photosynthesis

Describe photosynthesis as the key process for food production and therefore biomass for life.

Explain the process of photosynthesis. 

State the factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis.

Module 6 Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Use the proportion of polymorphic gene loci. to measure genetic biodiversity

Explain how some abiotic and biotic factors affect communities. 

Describe the importance of interdependence and competition in a community.

Regular homework to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

End of year exam.

Core practicals.

Extra-Curricular Activities- student leadership

After school and lunchtime intervention.

STEM club – student leadership

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Year 13 Biology

Term

Topic/ Enquiry questions/ Key skills

Type of Assessment

Autumn

Module 5 Communication, homeostasis and energy

 Photosynthesis (continued)

Describe photosynthesis as the key process for food production and therefore biomass for life.

Explain the process of photosynthesis. 

Plant responses

State the factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis.

Homeostasis

Describe the process of homeostasis. 

Hormonal communication

Explain the principles of hormonal coordination and control in humans.

Neuronal communication and animal responses

Describe the relationship between the structure and function of the human nervous system.

Describe the relationship between structure and function in a reflex arc.

Respiration

Explain the importance of cellular respiration.

Describe the processes of aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

Maths skills

Calculate standard deviation to measure the spread in a set of data.

Use Student t –test to compare the means of data values of two populations.

Use respiratory quotient to work out which substrate is being metabolised

 Excretion

Regular homework on exam style questions to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

January mocks

Core practicals.

Spring

Module 6 Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Cloning and biotechnology

Cellular control

Describe the process of mitosis in growth, including the cell cycle.

Explain the role of microorganisms in the cycling of materials through an ecosystem.

Explain the following terms -genome, gamete, chromosome, gene, allele/ variant, dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous, genotype, and phenotype. 

Patterns of inheritance

Explain single gene inheritance and predict the results of single gene crosses.

State that there is usually extensive genetic variation within a population of a species.

Explain the impact of the selective breeding of food plants and domesticated animals.

Maths skills

Use phenotypic ratios to identify linkage and epistasis.

Use the chi-squared test to determine the significance of the difference between observed and expected results. 

Use the Hardy-Weinberg principle to calculate allele frequencies in populations.

Use correlation coefficient to consider the relationship between two sets of data. 

Regular homework on exam style questions to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

Late spring mocks

Core practicals.

Summer

Module 6 Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Populations and sustainability

Describe human interactions within ecosystems and explain their impact on biodiversity.

Explain some of the benefits and challenges of maintaining local and global biodiversity.

Manipulating genomes

Describe the main steps in the process of genetic engineering 

Regular homework on exam style questions to embed learning.

End of unit tests.

Independent work on specific topics.

Extra-Curricular Activities- student leadership

After school and lunchtime intervention.

STEM club –student leadership

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SCIENCE

How will classwork be marked/

monitored/

graded/

self-assessed?

KS3 & KS4

Science books will be monitored at least once every three weeks with reward stamps and some feedback comments.

Selected work will be marked fully with detailed feedback. Students will be given feedback using the stamp or a sheet showing:

What went well

To make further progress

This feedback is sometimes given using DIRT marking codes.

KS5

Classwork is monitored and checked during lessons.

Students take responsibility for peer-assessing and self-assessing some classwork tasks to develop their independence and take responsibility for their work.

What classwork will be marked?

KS3 & KS4

Selected work will be marked fully. This might be exam questions, extended writing or science experiments

KS5

Lab books.

Extended response answers

Examination questions

How will students ‘reflect’ on marking/ feedback?

KS3, KS4 & KS5

Students are given time in science lessons to respond to feedback, complete corrections and do any improvements in green pen.

How will Homework be marked/

monitored/

graded?

KS3, KS4 & KS5

Homework is checked when it is due in.

It is marked with the books.

Homework is often peer-assessed or self-assessed to develop students’ independence and encourage them to take responsibility for their work.

SAM Learning homework is assessed online.

What are the formal Assessments? When are they marked?

KS3, KS4 & KS5

Exam style questions or full tests.

Tests at the end of topics.

Tests covering several topics together in the run up to Progress Checks

Tests during school exam season.

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Required Text Books

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Combined Science

 

 

 

Triple Science 

 

Key Stage 5

A Level Biology

 

 

A Level Chemistry

 

A Level Physics

 

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