Science

Subject Overview

We want to Instil a sense of wonder about the world in which we live. By having a deep understanding of Science, students can appreciate the world around us and how it works.

We want all students to develop an awareness of the impact science has on our lives and give students the ability to express their ideas about science and make informed decisions on science issues, such as GM food and vaccines, using currently available evidence.

Students as scientists will develop many skills including precision and accuracy, creativity, team work, assessing risks, reasoning skills and the ability to evaluate evidence. They will uncover knowledge in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Teaching and Learning

Year 7

Students are taught in mixed ability groups

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • Science skills
  • Cells
  • States of matter
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • Space
  • Ecological relationships
  • Energy
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • Atoms elements and compounds
  • Electricity
  • Reproduction

    • Year 8

    Students are taught in mixed ability groups

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • Anatomy and gas exchange
  • Sound waves
  • Separation techniques
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • Heart start (a module looking at first aid)
  • Light
  • Nutrition
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • Periodic table and materials
  • Photosynthesis and respiration
  • Forces and motion

    • KS4 Course(s) offered

    Year 9

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • Physical chemistry
  • Electricity
  • Metal chemistry
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • Animal behaviour
  • Revision for SATs and SAT test to help inform about GCSE groups
  • Data analysis controlled assessment
  • B1 You and your genes
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • P1 Earth and the Universe
  • C1 Air Quality
  • B2 Keeping Healthy

    • Year 10

    We follow OCR 21st Century Science where they will learn Physics (P) Chemistry (C) and Biology (B). Students will have 2 Science teachers. Some students will have the opportunity to take Triple Science. They will move through the curriculum more quickly and be taught 3 extra modules at the end of Y11.

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • B2 Keeping Healthy
  • P2 Radiation and life
  • C2 Material Choices
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • C3 Chemicals in our lives
  • P3 Sustainable energy
  • B3 Life on Earth
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • Data Analysis Controlled assessment
  • Case Study Controlled assessment
  • (Triple students’ controlled assessment will be a practical investigation)
  • B4 Processes of Life
  • C4 Chemical Patterns

    • Year 11

    We follow OCR 21st Century Science where they will learn Physics (P) Chemistry (C) and Biology (B). Students will have 2 Science teachers. Some students will have the opportunity to take Triple Science. They will move through the curriculum more quickly and be taught 3 extra modules at the end of Y11.follow OCR 21st Century Science where they will learn Physics (P) Chemistry (C) and Biology (B). Students will have 2 Science teachers. Some students will have the opportunity to take Triple Science.

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • P4 Explaining motion
  • B5 Electric Circuits
  • C5 Chemical of the natural environment
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • Practical investigation Controlled assessment
  • P6 Radioactive materials
  • C6 Chemical synthesis
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • B6 Brian and Mind
  • Triple Students will also take further modules on each subject
  • B7 Anatomy, Ecosystems, Microbiology and DNA technology
  • P7 Astronomy, Light
  • C7 green chemistry, Alcohols carboxylic acids and esters, energy changes in chemistry, reactions

    • Assessment

  • Y7, 8 and 9
  • students will sit either end of module tests (exam style questions) or will be asked to complete a written assessment.
  • Students in Y9 will take a Science SAT paper in term 3 which will help determine their GCSE class
  • Y10 and Y11: 2 GCSE’s
  • GCSE 1: 2 x Controlled assessments (25%) 3 x exams (75%)
  • GCSE 2: 1 x Controlled assessments (25%) 3 x exams (75%)
  • Y10 and Y11: 3 GCSE’s (Triple)
  • Biology: 1 x Controlled assessments (25%) 3 x exams (75%)
  • Chemistry: 1 x Controlled assessments (25%) 3 x exams (75%)
  • Physics: 1 x Controlled assessments (25%) 3 x exams (75%)

    • Revision guides can be purchased from reception.

    Homework

  • All homework is set in accordance with the homework timetables:
  • Y7 Homework is set 1 x 30 minute per week.
  • Y8 Homework is set 1 x 60 minute per week.
  • Y9 Homework is set 1 x 90 minute per week.
  • Y10 and Y11 Homework is set 2 x 60 minutes per week.

    • Examples of homework tasks set are….

    Year 7

    Solids, liquids and gases

    The table below shows some common substances, their melting points and their boiling points:

    Substance Melting Point/˚C Boiling Point/˚C
    Water 0 100
    Calcium 840 1490
    Mercury -39 357
    Chlorine -101 -34
    Sodium 98 900
    Silver 962 2160
    Ammonia -77 -33
    Ethanol -117 78
    Sulphuric Acid 3 280
    Sodium Chloride 801 1461
  • • Between which temperatures are both sodium and calcium liquids?
  • • At room temperature (about 25˚C) which of the substances are gases and which are liquids?
  • • The average temperature on the surface of the planet Mars is -40˚C. Which substances will be liquids and which will be gases?
  • • The average temperature on the surface of Venus is 470˚C. Which substances will be liquids and which will be gases?

    • Year 8

  • Create a presentation or poster to advertise the human body to your class. Imagine you are showing someone around the human body, like you would a house.’
  • • Identify at least 5 organs within the human body.
  • • Describe different organs, giving measurements and special features.
  • • Explain what the different systems are that control different functions within the human body. Explain how the systems interact with each other.
  • • Compare the different organs and decide which you feel is the most important organ in the human body. Evaluate which is more important than the other.

    • Year 9

  • (Part of a longer worksheet….) Reactions of metals
  • Reactions of metals with water
  • Metal + Water à Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen
  • Complete the word equations for the following reactions of metals with water
  • Sodium + water
  • Magnesium + water
  • ___________ + _________ Potassium hydroxide + hydrogen
  • Reactions of metals with acid
  • Metal + acid à Salt + Hydrogen
  • Complete the word equations for the following reactions of metals with acid
  • Calcium + Hydrochloric acid
  • Lithium + Sulphuric acid
  • Sodium + Nitric acid
  • ________+ _______ Copper sulphate + Hydrogen
  • ________+ _______ Aluminium chloride + Hydrogen

    • Y10 and Y11 Students will be given practice exam questions from past papers which cover a range of multiple choice, science content, graph/maths questions and questions requiring longer written answers.

    Homework is easily accessible to students through Show my Homework: https://peacehaven.showmyhomework.co.uk

    Teaching Staff

    Miss Rachel Henocq, Head of Science: rhenocq@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk
    Dr Mark Cummins, Lead Practitioner and KS4 co-ordinator: mcummins@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk
    Mr Ben Barnicoat, Teacher of Science: bbarnicoat@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk
    Miss Sara Connelly, Teacher of Science: sconnelly@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk
    Miss Lisa Murray, Teacher of Science: lmurray@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk
    Mr Philip Skelley, Teacher of Science: pskelley@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk
    Miss Hannah Stone, Teacher of Science: hstone@pcs.org.uk
    Mr Darren Warner-Swann, Teacher of Science: dwarnerswann@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk

    Curriculum

    Notices

    Need Help?

    Simply contact the school office via our telephone or email address. During term we aim to respond within 24 hours.

    01273 581100
    enquiries@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk