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 .
It covers eight different topics which include:
7.01 – Particles, substances and mixtures
7.02 – Fundamentals in Physics
7.03 – Cells and Organisation
7.04 – Chemical Changes
7.05 – Organ Systems
7.06 – Sound and Light
7.07 – Materials
7.08 – Life Cycles
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 sets that are reviewed through 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.
Careers in Science
Careers is linked to our curriculum for Gatsby Benchmark 4 in Key stage 3 in the following ways:
- In National Careers week all KS3 lessons have careers related starter activities which directly link the subject with the world of work which culminates in the department creating a display of evidence to illustrate the work and student engagement.
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 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 .
It covers ten different topics which include:
8.01 Heating and Cooling
8.02 Earth and the Atmosphere
8.03 Forces and Motion
8.04 Plants and their Processes
8.05 Electricity 1
8.06 Interactions and Interdependence
8.07 Forces and Work
8.08 Acids and Alkalis
8.09 Nutrition and Digestion
8.10 Space 1
How are we assessed?
Assessments are sat by a national cohort twice yearly, and data is analysed using Smartgrade.
Post Learning checks are used each topic to identify progress per topic, and any misconceptions.
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 A – H based on Year 7 data. If it becomes clear that a students is in the wrong set during the year, classes may be adjusted. Setting will be regularly reviewed throughout the year and at these points students may move a set based on assessment outcomes.
What homework are we expected to do?
Weekly carousel quiz which is recalling core knowledge.
Careers in Science
Careers is linked to our curriculum for Gatsby Benchmark 4 in Key stage 3 in the following ways:
- In National Careers week all KS3 lessons have careers related starter activities which directly link the subject with the world of work which culminates in the department creating a display of evidence to illustrate the work and student engagement.
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.
Careers in Science - Year 9
Careers is linked to our curriculum for Gatsby Benchmark 4 in Key stage 3 in the following ways:
- In National Careers week all KS3 lessons have careers related starter activities which directly link the subject with the world of work which culminates in the department creating a display of evidence to illustrate the work and student engagement.
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.
