Science

 

Science, for me, gives a partial explanation for life. In so far as it goes, it is based on fact, experience and experiment." - Rosalind Franklin, chemist, molecular biologist, and one of the key figures behind unlocking the structure of human DNA                                                                                                                                                                    “Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.”  - Mae Jemison, first African American woman astronaut in space 

Science is a way of thinking, about how you look at the world and questioning the world around you.  Science teaches students transferrable skills, problem solving experiences and the skills and flexibility to open the door to so many different careers.  Students at Cardinal Wiseman are taught Science by a passionate team of Science teachers, who support students from their early days of KS3 Science, through to the thriving KS5 Science classes. 

Please click on the link to play video: Why science is for me | The Royal Society 

learning journey science 2023 final.pdf

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8)  

Year 7  

  • Biology: Cells; Body Systems; Reproduction: Ecological Relationships.

  • Chemistry: Particles and Atoms; Elements and Compounds; Reactions; Acids and Alkalis.

  • Physics: Forces; Sound; Light; Space.

  • Skills: Working safely in the lab, Scientific Enquiry, Analysis and Evaluation. Drawing graphs, rounding numbers and using different units.

     

Year 8 

  • Biology: Adaptation and Inheritance; Health and Lifestyle; Microbes and Disease. 

  • Chemistry: The Earth; Separation Techniques; Periodic table; Metals and acids. 

  • Physics: Energy; Motion and Pressure; Electricity and magnetism. 

  • Skills: Working safely in the lab, Scientific Enquiry, Analysis and Evaluation. Calculating means, drawing graphs, comparing data on a graph. Converting units.

Year 9

  • Biology: Cell Level Systems; Respiration; Photosynthesis; Movement of Molecules and Exchange: Cell Cycles and Immunity. 

  • Chemistry: Particles: Models and Structure; Separating Mixtures; Predicting Chemical Reactions. 

  • Physics: Motion; Waves and Electromagnetic Spectrum; Particle Model; Static, Car Safety, Space and Electric Circuits.

  • Skills: Practical skills including variables, interpreting data, drawing graphs, following methods, identifying command words.

    All textbooks are accessible on Kerboodle, and revision resources on the “Key Stage 3 Science” Sharepoint page. 

Key Stage 4 (Years 9 - 11) 

Exam Board 

  • OCR Gateway Combined Science A (9-1) - equivalent of two GCSE grades - students sit six exam papers at the end of Year 11 

  • OCR Gateway Science – Biology/Chemistry/Physics A (9-1) (Separate Science students only, selected at the end of Year 9) - one grade per Science - students sit six exam papers at the end of Year 11 

Content Description 

Biology: Cell level systems; Scaling up; Organism level systems; Community level systems; Genes inheritance & selection; Global challenges, Practical skills 

Chemistry: Particles; Elements, compounds & mixtures; Chemical reactions; Predicting & identifying reactions and products; Monitoring & controlling chemical reactions; Global challenges; Practical skills 

Physics: Matter; Forces; Electricity; Magnetism; Waves in matter; Radioactivity; Energy; Global challenges; Practical skills 

All textbooks are accessible on Kerboodle, and revision resources on the “Key Stage 4 Science” Sharepoint page (“Key Stage 3 Science” for Year 9).  All Year 11 students receive a revision workbook from the school. 

Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13) 

Biology 

learning journey biology KS5 v2.pdf

Exam board:  AQA - students sit three exam papers at the end of Year 13 

Content description: 

You will study four sections in Year 12:  

     1. Biological molecules 

     2. Cells 

     3. Organisms exchanging substances with their environment 

    4. Genetic Information variation and relationships between organisms.  

You will study four more sections in Year 13:  

     5. Energy transfer in and between organisms 

     6. Organisms’ response to changes in their environment 

     7. Genetics, Population, Evolution and Ecosystems 

     8. The control of gene expression 

Students complete 12 core practicals across both years which are assessed as part of the course. 

All textbooks are accessible on Kerboodle, and revision resources on the “Key Stage 5 Biology” Sharepoint page. 

Chemistry 

learning journey chemistry KS5 v3.pdf

Exam board: Edexcel - students sit three exam papers at the end of Year 13 

 Content description:  

  • Chemical calculations 

  • Inorganic Chemistry 

  • Organic Chemistry and Organic synthesis 

  • Bonding and Structure 

  • Atomic Structure and The Periodic Table 

  • Modern Analytical Techniques 

  • Energetics 

  • Transition Metals 

  • Redox 

  • Kinetics 

  • Equilibrium 

Students complete 12 core practicals across both years which are assessed as part of the course. 

All revision resources are available on the “Key Stage 5 Chemistry” Sharepoint page. 

Physics 

learning journey physics KS5 v3.pdf

Exam board:  AQA - students sit three exam papers at the end of Year 13 

Content description: 

You will study five sections in Year 12:  

1. Particles and Radiation 

2. Waves and Optics 

3. Mechanics and Materials 

4.  Electricity 

5. Further Mechanics 

You will study four more sections in Year 13:  

6. Thermal Physics 

7. Fields 

8. Nuclear Physics 

9. Turning Points 

Students complete 12 core practicals across both years which are assessed as part of the course. 

All textbooks are accessible on Kerboodle, and revision resources on “Key Stage 5 Physics” Sharepoint page. 

Success and Achievements: 

  • The Science department has a record of excellent results in GCSE and A Level exams. 2022 results pending 

  • Many of our students start Science at Cardinal Wiseman and go on to study STEM subjects at top universities including Oxford and Cambridge, as well as fantastic Degree Apprenticeship Opportunities. We are very proud of them. 

  • We have large department of subject specialist teachers with an enthusiasm for Science.  There is outstanding teaching and high academic expectations, with a supportive atmosphere so that every student has the opportunity to make progress in Science. 

  • Many students choose to take A Level Science at Cardinal Wiseman, with teachers they know and trust to support them towards their future goals.  A level Sciences are popular subjects. 

Wider Learning and Enrichment Opportunities 

KS5 Chemistry students are encouraged to participate in the UK Chemistry Olympiad challenge which is run by the Royal Society of Chemistry. 

Year 11 and KS5 Physics students are encouraged to participate in Physics Olympiads and Challenges. 

There are regular Science clubs and opportunities for school trips at Cardinal Wiseman, to support students to develop their love of Science. 

We celebrate British Science Week every year. 

 

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