Science

  • GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE:  SYNERGY (8465)
  • ENTRY LEVEL CERTIFICATE SCIENCE (5960)
  • Edexcel BTEC (4787)

 Autumn - Year 10

ENTRY LEVEL CERTIFICATE SCIENCE

Biology: The human body.

Pupils will study organ systems that carry out the key processes of life, health and infectious diseases.

Chemistry: Elements, mixtures and compounds.

Pupils will study atoms and the elements on the Periodic table and the differences and properties of compounds and mixtures, including Polymers.

Physics: Energy, forces and the structure of matter.

Pupils will cover the effects of forces causing objects to move and how energy is transferred, stored and wasted. How electricity is produced from renewable and non-renewable sources including nuclear energy.

GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE:  SYNERGY

4.1  Building blocks

4.1.1 States of matter.

Pupils will study the States of matter including transported diffusion and osmosis, and in Systems in the human body.

4.1.2  Atomic structure

Pupils will study atomic structure including isotopes, chemical bonding and the periodic table.

4.1.3  Cells in animals and plants  

Pupils will study the structure of cells animal and plant cells, cell division by mitosis and meiosis and microscopic examination of cells.

4.1.4  Waves  

 

Pupils will study transverse and longitudinal waves, the electromagnetic waves spectrum and the uses and hazards associated with some electromagnetic waves.

BTEC Application of Science

Unit 2 Chemistry

This consists of 4 assignments that need to be completed within school, that are supported by home learning. The assignments start with principles of the atom, developing through bonding and then finish with looking at environmental science.

 

 

 

Spring - Year 10

4.2  Transport over larger distances

4.2.1  Systems in the human body  

Pupils will study systems in the human body including respiration, circulatory system, digestive system and control of body systems through nervous system and the endocrine system.

4.2.2  Plants and photosynthesis

Pupils will study of animals and plants cells and transport into and out of cells with a focus on photosynthesis and plants health.

4.3  Interactions with the environment

4.3.1  Lifestyle and health  

Pupils will study how people’s lives have long-term consequences for their health. They will study conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer that may depend exercise, diet, alcohol consumption and smoking and what treatments are treatments are available.

4.3.2  Radiation and risk  

Pupils will study

Ionising radiations including electromagnetic radiation and particles emitted from radioactive atoms to understanding of their properties and protection from unnecessary exposure to risk

.BTEC Science

Unit 1 Externally set assignment

This term and the beginning of the Summer term are dedicated to the teaching and revision of fundamentals of Science. Eg. The atom, waves, cell etc.

 

 Summer - Year 10

4.3.3 Preventing, treating and curing diseases.  

Pupils will study the human body defence systems that protects against pathogens, how vaccinations helps to protect people and how antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial infections. Pupils will look at the increasing problem of antibiotic and new technologies based on genetic modification and stem cells.

4.4  Explaining change

4.4.1  The Earth’s atmosphere

 

Pupils will study the development of the Earth’s atmosphere and the carbon cycle to

understanding how human activities have changed the atmosphere on a global scale in ways that affect the climate.

4.4.2  Ecosystems and biodiversity

Pupils will study ecosystems with high levels of biodiversity looking at the negative and positive human impacts on biodiversity.

4.4.3 Inheritance

Pupils will study cells in animals and plants to explore the relationships between genes, chromosomes and phenotypic features.

4.4.4  Variation and evolution  

Pupils will study evolution by natural selection and the classification of living leading to selective breeding and genetic engineering.

BTEC Science

Following the Summer’s externally assessed exam and the preparation for that, pupils move on to Unit 3 Physics and will complete the first assignment looking at electricity.

 

 

 

 How is the course assessed

ENTRY LEVEL CERTIFICATE SCIENCE

45 minutes externally set test paper for each unit of work.

Students must submit evidence of practical tasks set by the teacher and marked against the marking criteria provided in the Scheme of assessment.

GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE:  SYNERGY

Each unit of work is assessed with a test based on the final exam papers.

Students must complete some practical tasks set by the exam board in preparation for the final exams in year 11.

BTEC SCIENCE

4 internally assessed portfolios of coursework

Internally assessed topic tests to inform areas of strength and weakness in preparation for the externally assessed exam

Externally assess exam and 1 internally assessed project of electricity

 

 

 
 

 

 How can you support your child at home

Use BBC bitesize KS4 science to support with homework and consolidation of class learning.

Encourage and support with homework and use of revision guides.

Spend time watching scientific documentaries and discussing what you have learnt.

Spend time talking about science in the news and potential careers in the science field.

 

Encourage children to make links between science and real life, for example where our food comes from, the importance of doctors and health etc.

 

 Autumn - Year 11

4.5  Building blocks for understanding

4.5.1  The periodic table

 

Pupils will study the arrangement of elements in

the periodic table in terms of nuclear model of atomic structure. The focus is on the elements in groups 1, 7 and 0 and their physical and chemical properties.

4.5.2  Chemical quantities

Pupils will study quantitative methods to determine the formulae of compounds and the equations for reactions. To determine reacting quantities, the purity of products chemical reaction yield.

4.6  Interactions over small and large distances

4.6.1  Forces and energy changes

Pupils will study forces as vectors to explain how objects interact by a variety of contact and non-contact forces. Pupils will calculate the Work done on an object as energy transfer.

4.6.2  Structure and bonding

Pupils will study the structure and bonding to explain the physical and chemical properties of materials.

4.6.3  Magnetism and electromagnetism

Pupils will study the magnetic fields around permanent magnets and the Earth and Electric currents producing magnetic fields. Leading to the motor effect and electric motors.

BTEC SCIENCE

During this term a further 2 assignments are completed within Unit 3 Physics looking at Waves, radiation and space.

Pupils will then start the final topic Unit 4 Biology, looking at Variation and evolution.

 

 

  Spring - Year 11

4.7  Movement and interactions

4.7.1  Forces and motion

Pupils will study forces changing the motion of objects including constant speed, acceleration and deceleration and the associated energy changes using distance–time and velocity–time graphs.

4.7.2  Electricity

Pupils will study electric currents in circuit’s in alternating currents used in the mains electricity supply and how is transferred using the National Grid. Pupils will also look at the power of appliances using equations relating potential difference, current, quantity of charge, resistance, power, energy and time.

4.7.3  Acids and alkalis

 

Pupils will study acids or alkalis. Looking at how

chemicals react together, to establish patterns and to make predictions about chemical changes and write chemical formulae and equations.

4.7.4  The rate and extent of chemical change

Pupils will study the different chemical reaction rates of caused by Catalysts, including enzymes, temperature change and other factors. Pupils will look at reversible identify how to maximise the yield of desired product

4.7.5  Atoms into ions and ions into atoms

Pupils will study the activity series of metals the use of electrolysis and product testing classifying electrode reactions as reduction or oxidation.

BTEC SCIENCE

During this term the final assignments of Ecosystem and Human Health are completed looking at everything from food chains to the drug abuse. The end of this term is then used as an opportunity to resubmit any outstanding assignments.

 
 
 

 

Summer - Year 11

4.8  Guiding Spaceship Earth towards a sustainable future

4.8.1  Carbon chemistry

Pupils will study the forms of carbon and how new chemicals and materials are made from the hydrocarbons in crude oil, including fractional distillation, cracking and polymerisation.

4.8.2  Resources of materials and energy

Pupils will study metal extraction from the Earth’s natural resources for products. Looking at how scientists and engineers seek to minimise the use of limited resources, cut energy consumption, reduce waste and limit environmental impacts and disposing of products at the end of their useful life.

 

 

 

 How is the course assessed- Year 11

Each unit of work is assessed with a test based on the final exam papers.

 

Students must complete some practical tasks set by the exam board in preparation for the final exams in year 11.

Pupils will complete a Mock examination towards the end of term to assess knowledge and understanding in preparation for the end of year exams.

Pupils will sit the exams set by the exam board during the summer term.

BTEC SCIENCE

2 internally assessed physics assignments and 1 assessed biology assignment

2 internally assessed Biology assignments and then completion of all the outstanding pieces of coursework from earlier in the course.

 

 

 

How can you support your child at home

Use BBC bitesize KS4 science to support with homework and consolidation of class learning

Encourage and support with homework and use of revision guides.

Spend time watching scientific documentaries and discussing what you have learnt.

Spend time talking about science in the news and potential careers in the science field.

 

Encourage children to make links between science and real life, for example where our food comes from, the importance of doctors and health etc.

 

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