Science
Science encompasses everything that we are and allows us to make sense of the world around us. A high-quality science education should develop students’ curiosity and scientific knowledge in order to question the world in which we live, enable critical thinking and encourage students to become socially aware global citizens. As students progress through their scientific education, they should be able apply their scientific thinking and vocabulary to explain a wide range of phenomena, develop their experimental skills through a variety of scientific investigations and use their observations to justify the conclusions they have made, whilst using their analytical and evaluative skills to critically analyse information they are presented with.
Key Stage 3:
Ash Green School students follow an innovative, key concept driven and spiralling Science CET curriculum devised by a team of experienced specialist teachers from across the Academy chain.
By the end of the year 7 students are aware of the purpose of the steps in scientific methodology and can conduct lab work purposefully and safely. In Biology, students have the scientific literacy to discuss organisms, ecosystems and genes. In Chemistry, students have developed modelling for explanations of matter, reactions and Earth Sciences. In Physics students can model situations involving forces, energy, and waves. Thinking like a Scientist skills (Analyse, Communicate, Enquire and Solve) run throughout all topics intertwined in the delivery of practical skills, data handling and knowledge.
By the end of the year 8, students can and can conduct experimental investigations and obtain valid results and use graphical techniques to analyse and interpret results. In Biology, students have the knowledge to accurately discuss organisms, ecosystems and genes. In Chemistry, students can use conventions in chemistry to describe states of matter, reactions and Earth science. In Physics students can analyse situations involving forces, energy, electricity and waves, including the use of numeracy for calculations. Thinking like a Scientist skills (Analyse, Communicate, Enquire and Solve) run throughout all topics intertwined in the delivery of practical skills, data handling and knowledge.
By the end of the year 9 students can develop experimental methods and use accurate apparatus and techniques. They can relate fundamental knowledge to evidence collected in the lab and how that is used to develop models. In Biology students have acquired the fundamental knowledge about microbiology and the challenges of scale. They have the numeracy skills for biology to apply to more complex problem solving. In Chemistry, students can use conventions in chemistry to explain the structure and behaviour of the states of matter, explain reactions and explain processes in Earth science. In Physics students can apply mathematical skills to analyse energy transfers, apply ideas about particle theory to explain changes of state and explain the usefulness of radioactive materials. Thinking like a Scientist skills (development of scientific thinking, experimental skills and strategies, analysis and evaluation, scientific vocabulary) run throughout all topics.
Key Stage 4:
At Key Stage 4, students follow either the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy or AQA GCSE Triple Science specification.
AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy
Biology
1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology
Chemistry
8. Atomic structure and the periodic table
9. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
10. Quantitative chemistry
11. Chemical changes
12. Energy changes
13. The rate and extent of chemical change
14. Organic chemistry
15. Chemical analysis
16. Chemistry of the atmosphere
17. Using resources
Physics
18. Energy
19. Electricity
20. Particle model of matter
21. Atomic structure
22. Forces
23. Waves
24. Magnetism and electromagnetism
How is AQA GCSE Combined Science assessed?
2 x Biology, 2 x Chemistry and 2 x Physics papers, each of which is:
Written exam – 1 hour 15 minutes
Foundation or Higher Tier
Each paper has 70 marks available, representing 16.7% of the GCSE.
AQA Triple Science
GCSE Biology
1. Cell biology
2. Organisation
3. Infection and response
4. Bioenergetics
5. Homeostasis and response
6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
7. Ecology
8. Key ideas
How is AQA GCSE Biology assessed?
Paper 1:
Topics 1–4: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE
Paper 2:
Topics 5–7: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE
GCSE Chemistry
1. Atomic structure and the periodic table
2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
3. Quantitative chemistry
4. Chemical changes
5. Energy changes
6. The rate and extent of chemical change
7. Organic chemistry
8. Chemical analysis
9. Chemistry of the atmosphere
10. Using resources
How is AQA GCSE Chemistry assessed?
Paper 1:
Topics 1–5: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation or Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE
Paper 2:
Topics 6–10: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis, Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE
GCSE Physics
1. Energy
2. Electricity
3. Particle model of matter
4. Atomic structure
5. Forces
6. Waves
7. Magnetism and electromagnetism
8. Space physics (physics only)
How is AQA GCSE Physics assessed?
Paper 1:
Topics 1-4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE
Paper 2:
Topics 5-8: Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; and Space physics.
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
Foundation and Higher Tier
100 marks
50% of GCSE
Key Stage 5:
Students at Ash Green School have the opportunity to study A-levels in biology, chemistry and physics.
OCR A-Level Biology A
Subject content:
Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology
Module 2: Foundations in biology
Module 3: Exchange and transport
Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease
Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy
Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
How is OCR A-Level Biology A assessed?
Paper 1 – Biological processes
100 marks, 2 hours 15 mins
37% of A-level
Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5
Paper 2 – Biological diversity
100 marks, 2 hours 15 mins
37% of A-Level
Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6
Paper 3 Unified biology
70 marks, 1 hour 30 mins
26% of A-Level
Assesses content from all modules (1 to 6)
Practical endorsement in biology
Non-exam assessment
OCR Chemistry A A-Level
Subject content:
Module 1 – Development of practical skills in chemistry
Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry
Module 3 – Periodic table and energy
Module 4 – Core organic chemistry
Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements
Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis
How is OCR Chemistry A A-Level assessed?
Paper 1 – Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry
100 marks, 2 hour 15 mins
37% of A-Level
Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5
Paper 2 – Synthesis and analytical techniques
100 marks, 2 hour 15 mins
37% of A-Level
Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6
Paper 3 – Unified chemistry
70 marks, 1 hour 30 minute
26% of A-Level
Assesses content from all modules (1 to 6)
Practical endorsement in chemistry
Non-exam assessment
OCR Physics A A-Level
Subject content:
Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics
Module 2: Foundations in physics
Module 3: Forces and motion
Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons
Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics Module 6: Particles and medical physics
How is OCR Physics A A-Level assessed?
Paper 1 – Modelling physics
100 marks, 2 hours 15 mins
37% of A-Level
Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5
Paper 2 – Exploring physics
100 marks, 2 hours 15 mins
37% of A-Level
Assesses content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6
Paper 3 – Unified physics
70 marks, 1 hour 30 mins
