Our school

Science

The study of science seeks to explain the material world. For example: Why do viruses spread? How do painkillers work? It provides explanations based on concepts, laws, theories, and models established through scientific enquiry. It develops a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.

It enables pupils to engage with the opportunities of live science offered by the local context. It brings to life the opportunity to understand how scientific knowledge becomes established through scientific enquiry. Pupils appreciate the significance of science to society and their own lives. They recognise the significant contribution science has made in the past and the continuing importance in solving global challenges. Pupils understand the nature and status of scientific knowledge knowing it is open to revision in the light of new evidence.

KS4 intent:

●      Building upon and deepening scientific knowledge and the understanding of ideas developed in earlier key stages through the study of the GCSE specification

●      Providing the platform for more advanced studies and establishing the basis for a wide range of careers.

●      For those who do not intend to go into science, we aim to provide the foundations for understanding the natural world and enhance their lives in an increasingly technological society.

●      We want to develop students’ 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

●      To help our students 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

●      To help pupils develop their ability to evaluate claims based on science through critical analysis of the methodology, evidence, and conclusions, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

All KS4 students at Waverley Studio College study the AQA Science GCSE. Students study either Combined Science GCSE (which will give two GCSE grades) or Separate Science GCSE (which will give three GCSE grades). Both courses are good preparation to continue the study of science at A-Level or Level 3 BTEC Applied Sciences which we offer at the college. Internal assessments take place task place at regular intervals throughout KS4. Broadly, there are two types of assessment: fluency composite task and a composite test. Composite fluency tasks are completed at the end of a topic and are used to check whether students are reaching curriculum related expectations.