Subject: Science
At Paddington, our science curriculum is designed to enable students to make sense of the changing world around them. We develop students’ scientific understanding so they can be scientifically informed and, if they wish, pursue careers in science, or in careers that require some scientific understanding. To be scientifically informed requires a broad knowledge of scientific ideas, an appreciation of how experimentation and observation develop this knowledge, and an ability to think rationally and analytically when applying this knowledge to new contexts.
Why is Science important?
- Science enables students to analyse the world around them as individuals.
- Science is interesting, stimulating, life relevant, useful, enjoyable, and empowering for people to receive a science education.
- Provides problem solving and confidence, with challenging concepts growing in breadth of content and skills.
- Science is achievable for all to understand complex theories.
What will students learn?
In A level Science, many topics rely on the knowledge developed at GCSE. Most new units are taught at year 13 – which bridge the gap between A level and university level knowledge and skills. In Science, we run Biology, Chemistry and Physics A level and BTEC Applied Science.
In KS5 students will study
BTEC Applied Science
Unit 1 - Cell/microscopes / specialised cells / muscles / nervous system
Unit 3 - Enzymes practical / plant growth / sampling
Unit 8 - Musculoskeletal system / immune system / digestive system
Unit 10 - Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, DNA structure / water / disorders / respiration / photosynthesis / exercise
Unit 12 - Pathogens and disease / treatment / immunity
Unit 9 - CV and respiratory system / homeostasis / reproduction
Unit 5 - Heart / CVD / kidneys / fluid mosaic
Unit 7 - Performance enhancing drugs / antimicrobial resistance / food composition / insecticides / cloning / GM crops / stem cells
Unit 11 - DNA structure / gene expression / cell division / inheritance / DNA techniques
Unit 6 - Practical of staff / student choice
Unit 1 - Periodic table / electron configuration / bonding / intermolecular forces / oxidation states / calculations
Unit 2 - Stearic acid cooling curve / chromatography / titration / colorimetry
Unit 3 - Diffusion practical / fuels practical / hydrocarbons and combustion
Unit 4 - Practical health and safety / synthesising organic compounds
Unit 5 - Electrolysis / organic compounds / energy changes
Unit 7 - Renewable energy / plastic waste / carbon capture / ocean acidification / fuels in transport / health effects of diesel
Unit 14 - Functional groups / aromatic compounds / isomers / organic chemistry reactions
Unit 20 - Haematology / histology / urinalysis
Unit 1 - Waves / superposition / diffraction gratings / refractive index / total internal reflection / EM waves / inverse square law
Unit 3 - Circuits / energy
Unit 5 - Thermodynamics / density / Hooke’s Law / fluid flow
Unit 7 - Cosmetic nanotechnology / space exploration / proton beam therapy
How will students receive feedback?
At Paddington, all students will receive regular feedback from formative assessment tasks. Within the curriculum, specific tasks are allocated for feedback. This ensures all students gain regular feedback. Teachers will mark student work and provide targeted feedback that enables students to improve their work and make progress. To support student understanding, teachers plan high-quality re-teach time to prepare students for their feedback. Across each term, students will receive feedback from multiple tasks.
What examinations / assessments do students have at the end of KS5?
Applied Science BTEC exam board: Pearson
This involves a mixture of coursework and exam units.
What resources can be used to support learning?
- Students in KS5 have a carefully selected textbooks for both units that covers the content of the course and provides a set of exam question.
- Knowledge organisers are used to develop students’ knowledge of core knowledge in each cycle. Students can use this to revise key information through self-quizzing.
- Seneca learning is used to help students learn and memorise key context. Teachers set Seneca tasks weekly in addition to homework