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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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