Science

Introduction
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 4
Useful Links

Science is arguably the most relevant and interesting subject students will study during their school career. Science is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all students should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. They should be helped to appreciate the achievements of science in showing how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a number of key ideas relating to the sciences which are inter-linked, and which are of universal application.

At Morton Academy the sciences are taught in ways that ensure students have the knowledge to enable them to develop curiosity about the natural world, insight into working scientifically, and appreciation of the relevance of science to their everyday lives, so that students:

develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science, through different types of scientific enquiry that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
develop and learn to apply observational, practical, modelling, enquiry, problem-solving skills and mathematical skills, both in the laboratory, in the field and in other environments
develop their ability to evaluate claims based on science through critical analysis of the methodology, evidence and conclusions, both qualitatively and quantitatively

Who works in the Science department?

Mrs L Winter – Head of Department and Science Teacher

Mrs F Bell – Science Teacher

Mrs C Jones – Science Teacher

Miss B Beers – Science Teacher

Miss K Graham – Science Teacher

Miss E Grierson – Science Teacher

Mrs C Hardwick – Science Teacher

Ms L Boughey – Science Technician

At KS3, we follow the United Learning Science curriculum which is based on the national curriculum for Key Stage 3 Science in years 7, 8 and 9.

In the national curriculum, the science content is divided into the biology, chemistry and physics areas of science, but not into years. This is addressed in the United Learning science curriculum and assessment framework.

Within these subjects, science skills termed as ‘working scientifically’ are developed. These include investigative practical skills such as planning, observing and analysing results.

KS3 Topics

Biology:

Cells, tissues and organs 7BR
Reproduction and variation 7BR
Ecological relationships and classification 8BE
Digestion and nutrition 8BD
Biological systems and processes 9BB
Plants and photosynthesis 9BP

Chemistry:

Particles 7CP
Chemical reactions 7CC
Materials and the Earth 8CM
The periodic table 8CP
Reactivity 9CR
Energetics and rates 9CE

Physics:

Forces and motion 7PF
Energy 7PE
Light and space 8PL
Electricity and magnetism 8PE
Sound waves 9PS
Forces in action 9PF
Matter 9PM

Working Scientifically:

Scientific attitudes WSAT
Experimental skills and investigations WSSK
Analysis and evaluation WSAN
Measurement WSME

At KS4, we follow the exam board AQA for GCSE Science.

There are different pathways students can take through GCSE science which are dependent on ability and progress of the individual student.

Trilogy:

This is the combined science GCSE where students will study all three subjects and is equivalent to two GCSE grades. This course is designed for a wide range of abilities of students with the Foundation and Higher tier of entry. The grades span from 9 - 1 for this GCSE meaning students can still achieve the top grades and study science further at A level or college if they wish.

Separate Sciences:

Students who are on the separate science pathway will study all three subject separately, each equating to one GCSE grade. Therefore, this pathway is equivalent to three GCSE grades, which is why it demands more learning time. This GCSE pathway is designed for the more able students who have a keen interest in science. As more content is covered in this course, it prepares students well for studying science at A Level.

Both courses cover the same overall content (except Space, which is only covered in Separate Science Physics). However, the Separate Science pathway covers the content in more depth.

KS4 Content:

Biology: