Science

Curriculum Intent

Studying science at St John Bosco Arts College is a five-year journey that nurtures a love of the subject through  the development of independent enquiry skills and providing students the opportunities to discover how fascinating the world around us is. Scientific skills are taught through engaging, real-life contexts so students can see the value to everyday life of what they are learning. Students have the opportunity to learn about future careers during lessons and through STEM extra-curricular opportunities. This prepares them to be the scientists, doctors, vets and engineers of the future.

Our curriculum is designed to promote progression and units of work are sequenced to build knowledge and skills while preparing our pupils to think scientifically. Links to other departments, such as Maths, enable pupils to apply other skills to become confident learners and be successful in all they do. 

Faculty Staff and Roles

Jayne Sullivan - Assistant Headteacher/Head of Science
Dan Boyle - Assistant Headteacher
Jess Houghton - KS4 coordinator
Shirley Woods - KS3 Coordinator
Scott Willis - Teacher of Science
Jeny Farron - Teacher of Science
Alex McNeill - Teacher of Science
Liam Kirk - Teacher of Science/STEM coordinator
Jen Sims - HLTA Science
Heather Coyne - Teacher of Science
Tom Abrahms - Teacher of Science
Dulcie Emery - Teacher of Science
Dave Edwards - Lab Technician

Curriculum Content
KS3

Year 7

Term 1:

Biology: Movement, Cells
Chemistry: Universe, Particle model
Physics: Speed, Gravity

Term 2:

Biology: Human and Plant Reproduction
Chemistry: Elements and Separating mixtures
Physics: Energy transfers and costs

Term 3:

Biology: Interdependence
Chemistry: Periodic table
Physics: Current, Voltage and Resistance

Year 8

Term 1:
Biology: Breathing, Variation
Chemistry: Earth’s Structure and Resources
Physics: Sound, Light

Term 2:
Biology: Inheritance and Digestion
Chemistry: Metals & non-metals, Earth resources
Physics: Sound and Light

Term 3:
Biology: Interdependence and Human Reproduction
Chemistry: Separating Mixtures
Physics: Pressure and Contact forces

Year 9

Term 1
Biology: Respiration, Photosynthesis and Variation
Chemistry: Climate, Acids & Alkalis and Metals & Non-metals
Physics: Wave effects and properties, Heating & Cooling and Voltage & resistance

Term 2

Biology: Inheritance, Evolution and Respiration
Chemistry: Climate, Types of reaction and Chemical energy
Physics: Light, Magnetism/ Electromagnetism and Contact forces

Term 3
Working Scientifically

Curriculum Content
KS4/GCSE

At KS4, pupils will study AQA Trilogy Science resulting in 2 GCSE Science grades taken as an average of all 3 disciplines. All external exams will be completed in the summer of Year 11.

Year 10 - Science

Term 1
Biology: Cells, Animal Organisation
Chemistry: Atomic structure, Bonding
Physics: Energy, Particle model

Term 2
Biology: Plant Organisation and Animal Organisation
Chemistry: Quantitative Chemistry and Bonding
Physics: Atomic Structure

Term 3
Biology: Infection and Response
Chemistry: Chemical Changes and Energy Changes
Physics: Electricity

Year 11

Term 1
Biology: Infection and Response and Ecology
Chemistry: Energy Changes, Chemical Changes and Chemistry of the Atmosphere
Physics: Waves and Electricity

Term 2
Biology: Inheritance, Homeostasis and Response
Chemistry: Organic Chemistry, Rates of Chemical Changes and Chemical Analysis
Physics: Forces, Magnetism and Electromagnetism
 

Health and Social care

Pearson Edexcel BTEC Tech Award in Health and Social care (Level 2)

Year 10

Term 1
Component 1 Learning Aim A: Human growth and development across life stages

Component 1 Learning Aim B: Different Types of life events

Term 2
Component 1 Learning Aim B: Different Types of life events (cont)

Component 2 Learning Aim A: Health care services

Term 3
Component 2 Learning Aim B: Care values

Year 11

Term 1:
Component 1 Learning Aim A: Human growth and development across life stages

Component 1 Learning Aim B: Different Types of life events

Term 2:
Component 2 Learning Aim A: Health care services

Component 2 Learning Aim B: Care values

Term 3: Final assessments

Curriculum Content
KS5/A-Level

Qualification Details

All 3 A level Sciences are AQA specifications. We offer the opportunity to sit the AS exams at the end of Year 12. The A2 course is examined at the end of Year 13. BTEC level 3 qualification are Pearson Edexcel. The National Extended Certificate (Applied Science) is equivalent to 1 A level, and the National Diploma (Health and Social Care) is equivalent to 2 A levels. 

Year 12

Term 1:

Biology: Cells, Biological Molecules
Chemistry: Introduction to organic chemistry, Alkanes, Alkenes, atomic structure, Amount of substance, Bonding
Physics: Waves, Mechanics

Applied Science: Unit 1 Principles and Applications of Science

Health and Social Care: Unit 1 Human Lifespan Development, Unit 14 Physiological Disorders and their care

Term 2:

Biology: Organisms, Genetics
Chemistry: Alcohols, Organic analysis, Energetics, Kinetics
Physics: Electricity, Materials, Atomic Structure

Applied Science: Unit 1 Principles and Applications of Science Unit 2 Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

Health and Social Care: Unit 14 Physiological Disorders and their care, Unit 7 Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care

Term 3:

Biology: Variation and relationships between organisms
Chemistry: Chemical equilibria, Oxidation and reduction, Inorganic chemistry

Physics: Particle Physics

Applied Science: Unit 2 Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

Health and Social Care: Unit 7 Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care, Unit 6 Work Experience in Health and Social care

Year 13
Term 1:

Biology: Energy Transfers, Organism responses
Chemistry: Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Physics: Further Mechanics, Nuclear Physics

Applied Science: Unit 3 Science Investigation Skills

Health and Social Care: Unit 2 Working in Health and Social care, Unit 4 Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social care

Term 2:

Biology: Genetics, Population and Evolution, Gene expression
Chemistry: Organic Chemistry, Analysis
Physics: Thermal Physics, Fields and Capacitance

Applied Science: Unit 3 Science Investigation Skills, Unit 8 Physiology of the Human Body

Health and Social Care: Unit 5 Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs

Term 3:

Biology: Revision
Chemistry: Revision
Physics: Astrophysics (option unit)

Applied Science: Unit 8 Physiology of the Human Body

Health and Social Care: Unit 8 Promoting Public Health

Department Courses

KS3:

• A bespoke Science curriculum designed to meet the NC requirements whilst developing our pupils into young scientists who question the world around them

KS4:

• GCSE Trilogy science taught through discrete Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons which are intertwined to give a holistic view showing the links between the disciplines (2 GCSEs)
• BTEC Tech Award in Health and Social Care (1 GCSE)

KS5:

• A levels in all 3 disciplines
• BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Science (1 A level)
• BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care (2 A levels)

Exam Board

GCSE Science and A level Science - AQA

BTEC courses both KS4 and KS5, Science and Health and Social care - Pearson Edexcel

Department Links

AQA

AQA A-Level Biology/Chemistry

My GCSE- Science

BBC Bitesize

Science Revision

A-Level Careers Information

Extra Curricular

The following extra curricular activities within the Science faculty are run throughout the year;

• Science club
• Eco club
• Gardening club
• STEM
• Intervention

Additional Information

Bespoke support for all pupils is available on requests. This is offered as a lunchtime or an after school session.
Revision books for all courses can be purchased through school at a reduced cost.