Quick Links

Quick Links

Tor School

Science

The aim of our Science curriculum is to enable pupils to understand, enjoy and marvel at the world around them, through enquiry-based lessons that challenge their thinking. We aim to encourage our pupils to develop a positive and practical approach to science. We also seek to develop key scientific skills, combine knowledge with practical application and establish cross-curricular links, where appropriate. We build understanding of the ‘Big Ideas’ in Science that are relevant to pupils’ lives during and beyond Tor.

The Science curriculum forms part of the Tor vision that all pupils should experience a broad and balanced curriculum. We are confident that our Science curriculum contributes to pupils’ academic learning and personal growth.

Science is offered here at Tor, but is not treated as a core GCSE subject, as not all students are suited to studying science, and their post 16 pathway will be bespoke to their needs. At KS4, depending on their academic ability, all pupils taking science will study key aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We have recently introduced the AQA Combined Science Award, which is a double GCSE award, but with no submitted coursework requirement. Assessment will be at the end of year 11, with 6 exams, each 75 minutes long.

Combined Science - Trilogy Specification

 

Statement of Intent

Intent

Implementation

Impact

Through the study of Science, pupils will develop the following skills: communication, prediction, analysis, evaluation and problem solving. We often hear students question the relevance of science, but it can be used to explain our natural world, and how humans interact with the global environment.

 

Have an understanding of the world through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics and understand how Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s prosperity.

 

  • Develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.
  • Understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes.
  • Develop their own ideas and ways of working that enable them to make sense of the world in which they live through investigation, as well as using and applying process skills.
  • Develop a repertoire of ambitious vocabulary which aids the pupil’s knowledge and understanding not only of the topic they are studying but the world around them.
  • Develop practical skills and their ability to make accurate and appropriate measurements to give pupils the opportunity to use a wide range of scientific equipment.
  • Develop their use of ICT in their science studies by the use of data loggers and laptops for research.
  • Approach sensitively and respectfully how different backgrounds, faiths and beliefs may affect interpretation of scientific explanation.
  • Develop their ability to apply numeracy skills to analyse, evaluate and interpret data.

 

Studying Science helps shape a pupils’ sense of ethical values by giving them an opportunity to understand and discuss the impact of scientific developments on society. Some examples of key issues that are discussed are; Nuclear energy, MMR vaccination, antibiotic resistance, genetic testing, genetic diseases, drug testing, nanotechnology, climate change, recycling and finite resources.

The enquiring mind is welcomed in the science laboratory, which promotes self-awareness and identifies how we integrate with the world. Lessons are tailored to the individual, as much as possible, so that everyone can take responsibility for their own learning, again encouraging awareness of our surroundings and resilience for the future. The subjects of biology, chemistry and physics can be daunting to some, and our lessons are intended to encourage questioning and dialogue, relevant to the world around us. That said, we will naturally aim to help our students’ study towards their GCSE qualification, in preparation for life after year 11. We can also offer Entry Level Certificate in Science. Watching students make progress and helping their learning is key to success at TOR. It is something to behold when a child understands ideas that they may have struggled with previously, the “eureka” moment, which engenders confidence in their own ability and understanding.

 

Vision for KS3 and KS4 Science Curriculum 

 

KS3

KS4

  • Our Key Stage 3 curriculum builds on the skills, knowledge and understanding that pupils secured at Key Stage 2.
  • We aim for our Key Stage 3 curriculum to set the foundation for KS4.
  • We aim for students to confidently use and apply scientific language to their work.
  • We aim to promote inquisitive learning through exploration of local and global scientific topics which are current and topical.
  • We aim to address scientific misconceptions prior to KS4.
  • An assessment of current knowledge will be carried out, to enable predictions for GCSE, and to identify misconceptions and areas for development.
  • The Science curriculum provides pupils with a solid foundation in understanding key aspects of its contribution to cultural capital. In Science (such as through studying the contribution made by key scientists, national institution etc.)
Our Science curriculum provides pupils with an appreciation of subject integrity and interconnectedness so that they can build pathways for themselves that will enable them to explore and fulfil career aspirations.
  • The transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 is not a sharp cut-off point. The emphasis is on recursive learning that builds from solid foundations.
  • Science is not a compulsory subject for all students, therefore all students that do choose science for GCSE will be encouraged to reach their maximum ability, through the exploration of different approaches, to find a way of working that each pupil feels comfortable and confident with.
  • Our Key Stage 4 programme allows us to cover content with sufficient depth, richness and rigour – forging links between topics within a subject and between subjects across the curriculum. For example, mathematical skills are a key aspect of the reformed GCSE specification and so we embed this rigorously from Year 9. We work with the Maths team to ensure that we teach the same technique when analysing graphs or completing specific calculations.
  • Our KS4 curriculum aims to inspire future engineers, doctors, researchers, pharmacists, dentists, bio-medical scientists and more.
  • We aim to promote a love of learning and proudly advocate for our students to aspire to achieve the highest grade possible.
  • We aim to devise independent learning skills so our pupils can adequately and sufficiently prepare for the world of work