Science
Subject Leader: Louise Ellis - l.ellis@lavington.wilts.sch.uk
Year 7
What are we studying?
The Y7 SoW has been developed by United Learning covering the central principles of: entitlement, coherence, mastery, adaptability, representation and education with character. The SoW follows key themes that provide a basis for conceptual framework that students develop over time .
How are we assessed?
Assessments are sat by a national cohort of students twice yearly and data is analysed using Smartgrade.
How we provide for the SEN and most able pupils
SEN students will be supported appropriately by class teacher and where appropriate there may be teaching assistants in lessons.
All students will have opportunities for extracurricular activities in the form of STEM club.
Our schemes of learning have been designed to provide students with the opportunities to meet their potential through the use of retrieval practical, modelling and multiple opportunities for practice.
How are we grouped?
Year 7 are taught in mixed ability sets, that are reviewed throughout the year.
Year 7 have 6 lessons per fortnight.
What homework are we expected to do?
A weekly carousel quiz which is recalling core knowledge.
What can parents do to help?
Ask your child to explain the meaning of the scientific vocabulary that is new to each module.
Encourage your child to discuss what they have learnt each week as they are looking through their science book
Look out for scientific articles in newspapers and discuss them with your child.
Help your child to revise by asking them questions about each module using your child’s exercise book and the resources on Show My Homework.
Year 8
What are we studying?
The Y8 science curriculum is designed against the KS3 National Curriculum with assessment materials being developed from AQA Exampro.
They have 7 lessons per fortnight.
The topics covered are:
C3 – Periodic Table and Reactions
B3 – Photosynthesis and Respiration
P3 – Electricity and Magnetism
C4 – Earth and Space
B4 – Human Body and Digestion
P4 – Sound and Light
Each unit is sequenced to introduce fundamental ideas at the start, and then knowledge is then built upon with new content after this to make links to these fundamental ideas. Throughout each topic, there are extensive opportunities for practicing the application of knowledge as well as seeing their teachers model how to approach more abstract concepts in the content taught.
How are we assessed?
Each topic has a learning check and then summative assessments will happen twice a year.
How we provide for the SEN and most able pupils
SEN students will be supported appropriately by class teacher and where appropriate there may be teaching assistants in lessons.
All students will have opportunities for extracurricular activities in the form of STEM club.
Our Schemes of learning have been designed to provide students with the opportunities to meet their potential through the use of retrieval practical, modelling and multiple opportunities for practice.
How are we grouped?
Students are placed in sets 1 to 7.
The set allocated at the start of year 7 is based on key stage 2 data. If it becomes clear that a student is in the wrong set for their ability during the year, this may be adjusted. Setting will be reviewed regularly throughout the year. At these points students may move a set depending on assessment outcomes. Parents will be informed if this is the case for their child.
What homework are we expected to do?
Weekly carousel quiz which is recalling core knowledge.
What can parents do to help?
Ask your child to explain the meaning of the scientific vocabulary that is new to each module.
Encourage your child to discuss what they have learnt each week as they are looking through their science book
Look out for scientific articles in newspapers and discuss them with your child.
Help your child to revise by asking them questions about each module using your child’s exercise book and the resources on Show My Homework.
Years 9, 10 and 11
What are we studying?
Set 1- 2 will study Triple Science
Set 3 will complete Higher Tier Combined
Set 4 - 7 will complete Foundation Tier Combined
How are we assessed?
The AQA Trilogy course is linear and all formal GCSE assessment is by terminal exams taken at the end of the course in Year 11.
In addition to this students will sit a number of tracking tests each term, which will be used to monitor their progress during the course, but will not count towards their exam grade. Although they will not count towards GCSE it is expected that students will do their utmost to score their best in these tracking assessments. Students and staff will both keep a record of their progress in these tests.
How we provide for the SEN and most able pupils
The different pathways support students of different abilities and allow them to make good progress. The amount of curriculum time devoted to GCSE will allow staff to stretch high ability students and go beyond the curriculum and allow more time for students to develop a strong foundation for their studies. SEN students will be supported appropriately by class teacher, and make have the use of teaching assistants in lessons if appropriate.
How are we grouped?
Students are placed in sets 1 to 7.
The set allocated at the start of year 10 is based on key stage 3 data together with all the assessments made during year 9, particularly the end of year 9 exams.
If it becomes clear that a student is in the wrong set for their ability during the year, this may be adjusted.
At the end of the year students may move a set depending on assessment outcomes. Parents will be informed if this is the case for their child.
What homework are we expected to do?
Will complete a quiz on carousel once a fortnight - per subject.
What can parents do to help?
Ask your child to explain the meaning of the scientific vocabulary that is new to each module.
Encourage your child to discuss what they have learnt each week as they are looking through their exercise books and any text books they may have.
Look out for scientific articles in newspapers and discuss them with your child.
Help your child to revise by asking them questions about each module, using their exercise book or text book to support you.
Purchase revision guides for GCSE students. These are offered through the school or may be purchased through retailers such as Amazon or local book shops.
