Science

Click here to view an illustration of our student's Biology Learning Journey

Click here to view an illustration of our student's Chemistry Learning Journey

Click here to view an illustration of our student's Physics Learning Journey

Subject Intent

The Science Department at Jarrow School intend to provide all students with a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, rich in scientific skills and knowledge. We aim to promote a positive attitude to Science among all students, encouraging them to view the subject as essential, interesting and enjoyable. All students will be encouraged to have an awareness of how science in the real-world impacts on their everyday life as well as the opportunities for science-based careers within the local area and beyond.

All students are encouraged to adopt an inquisitive, critical and logical approach to problem solving which is based on scientific evidence. We are committed to raising standards of achievement, through a variety of teaching methods and opportunities, challenging misconceptions and promoting scientific literacy, thus developing confident, responsible and articulate young scientists.

We aim to promote an environment conducive to learning where we encourage all students to consider the social, moral and ethical implications of science in the media and the impact of science on their future lives.

Key Stage 3 Overview

Students follow a bespoke Key Stage 3 curriculum which covers all aspects of the Science National Curriculum. It builds upon prior knowledge obtained from the Key Stage 2 Science National Curriculum and prepares students well for what is taught at Key Stage 4 in years 10 and 11.

Each subject is colour coded with the following:

Green = Biology
Red = Chemistry
Blue = Physics

Year 7

Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Half Term 1 Half Term 2 Half Term 3 Half Term 4 Half Term 5 Half Term 6

Intro to KS3

Particles

Cells

Assessment

Forces

Elements and Compounds

Assessment

Body Systems

Sound

Assessment

Chemical reactions

Reproduction

Assessment

Circuits

Separation

Assessment

Investigation skills

Famous scientists research and present

End of year assessment

Year 8

Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Half Term 1 Half Term 2 Half Term 3 Half Term 4 Half Term 5 Half Term 6

Periodic Table

Animal Reproduction

Assessment

Motion and Pressure

Chemical reactions

Assessment

Plant processes

Circuits

Assessment

Separation

Drugs and Disease

Assessment

Space

Acids and alkalis

Assessment

The Earth

Investigation skills

End of year assessment

Year 9

Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Half Term 1 Half Term 2 Half Term 3 Half Term 4 Half Term 5 Half Term 6

Investigation skills and application

Assessment

Applications of science

Biology Transition to GCSE

Assessment

Chemistry Transition to GCSE

Physics Transition to GCSE

Key concepts in biology:

a) Cells

b) Enzymes

c) Movement of substances

Assessment

Key concepts in chemistry:

a) Atomic Structure and Periodic Table

b) Bonding

Assessment

Key concepts in physics: Motion and Forces

Assessment

End of year assessment

Key stage 4 overview

All students follow the GCSE Edexcel programme of study in science. The majority of students follow the Combined Science course (2 GCSE qualifications) with some students opting to study each subject as a separate qualification (3 qualifications). Foundation tier students can achieve grades in the range 1 to 5 while higher tier students can achieve grades in the range 4 to 9. 

Each subject is colour coded and labeled with the following:

Green = Biology
Red = Chemistry
Blue = Physics

CB, CC, CP = Combined science biology, chemistry, physics
SB, SC, SP = Separate biology, chemistry, physics

Year 10

Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Half Term 1 Half Term 2 Half Term 3 Half Term 4 Half Term 5 Half Term 6

CB1 Key concepts in biology

SB Food testing

CC3/4 Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

CP1/2 Motion, Forces and Moton

CB2 Cells and Control

SB The Brain

CC5/6/7 Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding and Types of Substance

CP3 Conservation of Energy

CB3 Genetics

SB Protein Synthesis, Mendel and gene mutation

CC8 Acids and Alkalis

CC9 Calculations

CP4 Waves

SP The Ear, Lenses, Colour, Infrasound and Ultrasound

CB4 Natural Selection and Genetic Engineering

CC1/2 States of Matter and Separation Review

CC10/11 Electrolysis, Obtaining and Using Metals

CP5 Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

CB5 Health, Disease, and the Development of Medicines

SB Viral Life Cycles, Monoclonal Antibodies

CC 12 Reversible Reactions and Equilibria

SC13 Transition Metals, Alloys and Corrosion

CP6 Radioactivity

SP Radiation in medicine, fission and fusion

Mock Exam Paper 1

SC14/15/16 Quantitative Analysis, Dynamic Equilibria, Calculations Involving Volumes of Gases, Chemical Cells and Fuel Cells

Mock Exam Paper 1

SP7 Astronomy

Mock Exam Paper 1

Year 11

Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Half Term 1 Half Term 2 Half Term 3 Half Term 4 Half Term 5 Half Term 6

CB6 Plant Structures and their Functions

SB Plant Hormones

CC10/11 Electrolysis, Obtaining and Using Metals

CC 12 Reversible Reactions and Equilibria

SC13 Transition Metals, Alloys and Corrosion

CP7/8 Energy, Forces doing work, Forces and their Effects

SP Rotational Forces

CP9 Electricity and Circuits

SP Static Electricity

Mock Exam Paper 1

CB7 Animal Coordination, Control and Homeostasis

SB Thermoregulation, Osmoregulation, the Kidneys

Mock Exam Paper 1

SC14/15/16 Quantitative Analysis, Dynamic Equilibria, Calculations Involving Volumes of Gases, Chemical Cells and Fuel Cells

CC13 Groups of the Periodic Table

CP10/11 Magnetism and the Motor Effect, Electromagnetic Induction

CB8 Exchange and Transport in Animals

CC14 Rates of Reaction

CC15 Energy Changes

CC16 Fuels

SC22/23/24 Hydrocarbons, Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids, Polymers

CP12/13 Particle Model, Forces and Matter

SP Pressure in Fluids

CB9 Ecosystems and Material Cycles

SB Decomposition Rates

Mock Exam Paper 2

CC17 Earth and Atmospheric Science

SC25/26 Qualitative Analysis, Bulk and Surface Properties of Matter

Mock Exam Paper 2

Mock Exam Paper 2

Revision for GCSE Examinations:

Focus on Core Content and exam technique

Effective revision strategies

Past Paper Questions

Modelled answers

Guided Revision (Cognito/Bitesize websites)

Online tests and quizzes

Intervention classes

A-Level Taster Sessions (optional):

Cells and Microscopy

Respiration

Atomic Structure

Organic Chemistry

Particles and Radiation

Additional Curriculum information 

Most Able

Some students will require additional challenge to the curriculum to ensure they demonstrate continued progress towards the highest GCSE grades. Our bespoke curriculum provides a differentiated learning pathway to provide this challenge in every lesson. Additional tasks incorporating application of science and problem solving are integrated into lessons or set as homework via MSTeams. We encourage our more able students to act as ambassadors and utilise their deeper knowledge to support their peers. We aim to inspire our students to get involved in enrichment activities within scientific careers, for example, Medicine and Dentistry days, visits to and from local companies, colleges, sixth-forms and universities.

SEND

Some students may need additional support throughout their science learning journey which our bespoke curriculum can provide. As a fully inclusive department we strive to ensure all students achieve their potential. The department utilises a range of methods to provide learning opportunities based upon the needs of the individual. We recognise that some students will need additional provision to that provided by the specialist teacher and work closely with our students, LSA’s, parents and any additional stakeholders to make appropriate adjustments to where necessary. This may include one-to-one in-class support, small group work, alternative resources, out of class interventions or access to specific technology. We aim to prepare all our students for the world of work by developing Brave, Respectful, Resilient, Independent, Generous, Hardworking, Thoughtful and Thriving individuals.

Assessment – Impact

The department uses a combination of both formative and summative assessment to determine the impact of the curriculum on all students. Formative assessment is strongly focused on student recall and interleaved learning in the form of short quizzes and tests. All summative assessments are differentiated to ensure all students have the opportunity to achieve highly in relation to their ability and make progress. At Key Stage 3 these occur after every module and include a combination of recall and application questions, with students given the opportunity to review their progress. At Key Stage 4, these occur at the end of each term and include GCSE-style questions from the modules taught during this period. Intervention occurs following each assessment to ensure any misconceptions are addressed and all students can progress. End of Year exams take place in early July for Years 7, 8 and 9 with Year 10 sitting their mock examination around the same time. Year 11 students will take a mock examination in late November/early December and the March of the following year. Revision lists are provided to students at least a week before all assessments in the form of hard copies and electronically via Teams. For more formal assessments, such as end of year exams and mock examinations, students will be provided a revision list at list 3 weeks beforehand.

Homework

Homework is set every half-term as a minimum, in line with school policy and is generally focused on recall and interleaved learning in preparation for short, low stakes testing in the following lesson. Homework varies between classes and can incorporate aspects of online platforms such as Educake, Cognito, Seneca and GCSEpod. Any homework set by the science department will always be meaningful, purposeful and marked accordingly, with feedback for improvement provided to the students.

Beyond the curriculum

The science department takes great pride in the extra-curricular opportunities it provides for our students. A weekly science investigations club is very popular among our key stage 3 students while a number of students regularly attend our weekly homework club. We have established outstanding links with local Universities offering our students a taste of careers in medicine and dentistry, forensic science and animal handling to name but a few. We have organised trips to Kielder Observatory and the Centre for Life to enhance our curriculum as well as taking students on residential trips to Iceland and France.

Section A The Roaring 20s: USA 1919-1929

Section B Depression and the New Deal: The USA, 1929-1941

Section C War in Vietnam, 1964-1975

Follow Us

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on X

Contact Us

Jarrow School
Field Terrace
Jarrow
Tyne & Wear
NE32 5PR

Email: info@jarrowschool.com
Tel: 0191 4283200
Fax: 0191 4283202

Download (MCAS) App

Click the app store that matches your device below to download our MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) app.