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St Thomas More Catholic Secondary School

St Thomas More
Catholic Secondary School

Science is a captivating subject which at the same time allows people to understand the world they live in and wonder at it.

Our aim is to methodically develop and sustain learners’ curiosity about the world, enjoyment of scientific activity and understanding of how natural phenomena can be explained through linking each topic. The Science education that they receive should equip every pupil equally with opportunities that enable them to take an informed part in decisions and to take appropriate actions that affect their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others and the environment.

Year 7 

Curriculum Intention:

Science is a captivating subject which at the same time allows people to understand the world they live in and wonder at it.

Our aim is to methodically develop and sustain learners’ curiosity about the world, enjoyment of scientific activity and understanding of how natural phenomena can be explained through linking each topic. The Science education that they receive should equip every pupil equally with opportunities that enable them to take an informed part in decisions and to take appropriate actions that affect their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others and the environment. The intentions can be summarised as follows:-

  • To ensure pupils develop scientific knowledge and understanding of science in the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
  • To develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
  • To relate their scientific knowledge to its uses in society today and in the future and this evidence in the Science fair project.

 

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Sept - Nov

Students completing Biology and Physics (diet & forces)

Jan – Feb

Students completing Physics and Biology (living systems and waves)

April – May

Students completing Biology topic (genetics and variation)

Half term

Half term

Half term

Nov – Dec

States of matter and separation techniques

Feb – March

Atoms and Elements

June – July

Chemical Reactions

Christmas Holidays

Easter Holidays

Summer Holidays

 

Outcomes:

Students will be able :

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

  • This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
  • Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
  • Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

  • Devising and investigating testable questions
  • Identifying and controlling variables
  •  Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

  • Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
  • Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
  • Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Employability skills:

 

  • Remembering and Developing understanding
  • Applying and Analysing
  • Evaluating and Creating

 

Year 8 

Curriculum Intention:

Year 8 places an emphasis on the process of scientific enquiry as well as accumulation of knowledge to help bridge the gap between year 8 and GCSE

The course helps the students to:  

  • Develop understanding of scientific ideas 
  • Work out scientific ideas for themselves by using results from investigations 
  • See how science is used in everyday life 
  • Think about how science can be used for benefit of mankind. 

 

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Sept - Oct

Students studying physics topic (electricity)

Jan – Feb

This term students will be doing topics biology and physics (photosynthesis and levers pressure and moments)

April – May

Students studying Biology topic ecosystems

Working Scientifically to consolidation year7 and 8 work and to ensure easy access to year 9 content.

Half term

Half term

Half term

Oct  – Dec

Acids and Alkalis

Feb – March

Chemical Materials

June – July

Completion of science fair Projects.

Christmas Holidays

Easter Holidays

Summer Holidays

 

Outcomes:

Students will be able :

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

  • This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
  • Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
  • Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

  • Devising and investigating testable questions
  • Identifying and controlling variables
  •  Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

  • Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
  • Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
  • Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Employability skills:

  • Remembering and Developing understanding
  • Applying and Analysing
  • Evaluating and Creating
  • Resilience developed through science fair

 

Year 9 

Curriculum Intention:

In Year 9 all students follow a course which is specifically designed to: 

  • Form a foundation for GCSE and other courses  
  • Encourage interest in all aspects of scientific study  
  • Develop understanding of scientific ideas  
  • See how science is used in everyday life 

Students spend one term studying the most important aspects of biology, chemistry and physics to a higher level than that taught in years 7 and 8, in order to bridge the gap between key stage 3 and 4

 

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Sept - Nov

Chemistry is not taught in the first half term

Jan – Feb

Structure and Bonding and matter

April - May

Particle model continue

Revision and exams

Half term

Half term

Half term

Nov – Dec

Atomic Structure

Feb – March

This term student will be studying A physics topic ‘Particle Model of Matter’ which links to chemistry

June – July

Energy changes in chemical reaction

Christmas Holidays

Easter Holidays

Summer Holidays

 

Outcomes:
Students will be able :

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

  • This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
  • Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
  • Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

  • Devising and investigating testable questions
  • Identifying and controlling variables
  •  Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

  • Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
  • Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
  • Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Employability Skills:

  • Employability skills: Remembering and Developing understanding
  • Applying and Analysing
  • Evaluating and Creating
  • Resilience

 

Year 10 

Curriculum Intention:

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

  • This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
  • Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
  • Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

  • Devising and investigating testable questions
  • Identifying and controlling variables
  •  Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

  • Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
  • Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
  • Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

 

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Sept - Oct

Quantitative Chemistry

Jan – Feb

Chemical changes

April – May

Rates of reactio

Half term

Half term

Half term

Oct – Dec

Quantitative Chemistry

Feb – March

Chemical changes

June – July

Rates of reaction

Christmas Holidays

Easter Holidays

Summer Holidays

 

Outcomes:

Students will be able :

1 To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

  • This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
  • Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
  • Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

  • Devising and investigating testable questions
  • Identifying and controlling variables
  •  Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

  • Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
  • Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
  • Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Employability skills:

Students are encouraged to work in groups as well as individually building teamwork and leadership skills.

Students will have to solve problems in lesson and have to be able to plan practical activities including risk assessments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 11 

Curriculum Intention:

Topics covered in year 11 will be examine GCSE Chemistry Paper 2 which is building on the knowledge acquired during Yr9&10/Paper 1 lessons.

A topic with required practical’s completed earlier in the year to allow careful revision of these ahead of the exams.

The intention is :

To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding of the various topics).

  • This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
  • Through practical work students will make sense of new information and observations, and
  • Provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

2 To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include:

  • Devising and investigating testable questions
  • Identifying and controlling variables
  •  Analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

3 To build and master practical skills such as:

  • Using specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
  • Handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency
  • Recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Sept - Oct

 

Hydrocarbons

Jan – Feb

Sustainable development (combined)

Analytic techniques (separate)

April – May

 

Exam preparation

Half term

Half term

Half term

Oct – Dec

Analytic techniques

Revision

Feb – March

Revision (combined)

Sustainable development (separate)

Y11 not in school

 

 

Christmas Holidays

Easter Holidays

Summer Holidays

 

Outcomes:

Students will be able :

  • To apply and develop what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models.
  • Use practical work to make sense of new information and observations.
  • To provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.
  • To devise and investigate testable questions
  • Identify controlling variables
  •  Analyse, interpret and evaluate data.
  • To use specialist scientific equipment to take measurements
  • Handle and manipulate equipment with confidence and fluency

Recognise hazards and plan how to minimise risk.  

Employability skills:

Students are encouraged to work in groups as well as individually building teamwork and leadership skills.

Students will have to solve problems in lesson and have to be able to plan practical activities including risk assessments.

 

The Analysis of Data

 

Year 12 

Curriculum Intention:

Delivery of topics is ordered to ensure students have built on fundamental knowledge from GCSE and preparing students for new and more challenging concepts throughout the year. Topics are split between teachers to help students differentiate between paper 1 and 2 with some overlap in physical chemistry to promote interleaving of topics in preparation of paper 3 for A2.

 

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Sept 2nd - Oct 14th

1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR)

Content

Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions

2.Topic: Physical Chemistry(VM)

Content

Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions

Jan 6th – 10th Feb

1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR)

Content

Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions

2.Topic : Organic Chemistry(VM)

content

Organic Compounds including; Alkanes, Alkenes, Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic analysis

20th April – 18th May

1.Topic: Organic Chemistry(VM)

content

Organic Compounds including; Alkanes, Alkenes, Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic analysis

1.Topic :Inorganic Chemistry(MR)

content

The periodic table including; Periodicity, Group 2 elements, and Group 7 elements

Half term

Half term

Half term

Oct 28th – Dec 16th

1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR)

Content

Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions

24th Feb – 30th March

1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR)

Content

Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions

2.Topic: Organic Chemistry(VM)

content

Organic Compounds including; Alkanes, Alkenes, Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic analysis

1st June – 13th July

1.Topic: Organic Chemistry(VM)

content

Organic Compounds including; Alkanes, Alkenes, Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic analysis

Christmas Holidays

Easter Holidays

Summer Holidays

 

Outcomes:

All students will have developed understanding of the AS specification and completed 6 assessed experiments in the form of CPAC assessments.

Student progress is measured in regular assessment in summative end of topic assessment and homework as well as formative assessment.

Tasks in lesson are peer or self-assessed providing instantaneous measures of progress and then as teachers we can implement intervention in lesson, using effective differentiation, or outside to ensure all students have progressed.

Employability skills:

Students are encouraged to work in groups as well as individually building teamwork and leadership skills.

Students will have to solve problems in lesson and have to be able to plan practical activities including risk assessments.

Year 13 

Curriculum Intention:

Delivery of topics is ordered to ensure students have built on fundamental knowledge from AS and preparing students for new and more challenging concepts throughout the year. Topics are split between teachers to help students differentiate between paper 1 and 2 with some overlap in physical chemistry to promote interleaving of topics in preparation of paper 3 for A2.

All skills and knowledge gathered throughout the course prepares students for university, college or apprenticeships. Practical experiments prepare students for working in a lab environment and understanding the procedures that occur in these environments.

 

Curriculum Implementation:

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Sept 2nd - Oct 14th

1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(DN)

Content

Thermodynamics, Rate equations, Electrode potentials and Acids & Bases

Content

2.Topic: Physical Chemistry (MR)

Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions

Jan 6th – 10th Feb

1.Topic: Organic Chemistry(DN)

content

 

Organic compounds including aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, Amines and Polymers, • Analysis techniques including NMR and Chromatography

 

20th April – 18th May

1.Topic: Organic Chemistry(DN)

content

Organic compounds including aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, Amines and Polymers, • Analysis techniques including NMR and Chromatography

1.Topic: Physical Chemistry(MR)

Content

Atomic Structure and bonding, Chemical reactions including; Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical Equilibria, Oxidation and Reduction reactions

Half term

Half term

Half term

Oct 28th – Dec 16th

2.Topic: Organic Chemistry(DN)

content

Organic compounds including aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, Amines and Polymers, • Analysis techniques including NMR and Chromatography

24th Feb – 30th March

2.Topic: Organic Chemistry(DN)

content

Organic compounds including aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, Amines and Polymers, • Analysis techniques including NMR and Chromatography

1st June – 13th July

 

Christmas Holidays

Easter Holidays

Summer Holidays

 

Outcomes:

All students will have developed understanding of the AS specification and completed all 12 assessed experiments in the form of CPAC assessments.

Student progress is measured in regular assessment in summative end of topic assessment and homework as well as formative assessment.

Tasks in lesson are peer or self-assessed providing instantaneous measures of progress and then as teachers we can implement intervention in lesson, using effective differentiation, or outside to ensure all students have progressed.

Employability skills:

Students are encouraged to work in groups as well as individually building teamwork and leadership skills.

Students will have to solve problems in lesson and have to be able to plan practical activities including risk assessments.