Science

Staffing In Science
Science is taught by ten teachers; these include Mr Pawluczyk, Mr Willis, Mr Niewenhuys, Ms Muller-Weyermuller, Ms Kamara, Ms Islam, Mr Johnson, Ms Mukherjee, Ms Munian, Ms McFadden.  The department is supported by two Science Technicians, Ms Bose and Ms Fonseca.

Aims Of The Department
Our department’s vision is for all pupils to enjoy and succeed in Science, with an increasing number continuing their scientific education on leaving Cumberland School.

The department has a number of aims that focus on pupil learning and attainment in Science.  We continually share good practice within the department and all team members take part in continual professional development.  During 2010-11 we will concentrate in particular on raising the quality of teaching in Physics and encourage pupils to develop their extended writing skills

We aim to increase the percentage of pupils gaining an accredited qualification in Science.  We have selected our Key Stage 4 courses carefully, so that we are able to offer a range of qualifications that meet the various needs of our pupils.  BTEC Applied Science is a qualification that we introduced last year to provide a Science course with a more vocational approach to the subject.  Similarly, the introduction of Separate Science provides more able pupils the opportunity to fast track or to study two or more science subject areas.  One of our objectives is to increase the number of pupils who study two or more subjects.

With such a large team, there is need for a consistent approach.  Assessment of Pupil Progress (APP) guidance provides a framework within which assessment of pupil work can take place.

The variety of courses on offer in our department provides pupils with a wide range of experiences to understand and appreciate the importance of Science in their everyday lives.  Such experiences help to develop workplace skills that will contribute to future economic wellbeing.  Teaching and learning within the curriculum is supported by a number of activities, such as our ‘Forensic Science CSE Day’, ‘Electricity and Forces theatre groups’, ‘STEM Ambassadors’ and ‘Engineering Week’.


The Science Curriculum
The Key Stage 3 Science curriculum is taught over three years and is designed to prepare all pupils with the fundamentals of science to ensure a smooth progress into Key Stage 4 courses.  We incorporate examples of How Science Works (HSW) and Assessing Pupil Progress (APP) into all topics studied.  The aim of the course is to make Science relevant to all pupils, so that they can achieve their full potential.

The Science Curriculum in Year 7
In Year 7 pupils study Science for 3 hours a week and cover the following units of work:

  • Environment and Feeding Relationships
  • Ecological Relationships
  • Variation and Classification
  • Inheritance and Selection
  • Electricity
  • Magnetism and Electromagnets
  • Light
  • Sound
  • Particle models: Solids, Liquids and Gases
  • Solutions
  • Acids and Alkalis
  • Simple Chemical Reaction


The Science Curriculum in Year 8
In Year 8 pupils study Science for 3 hours a week and cover the following units of work:

  • Cells
  • Reproduction
  • Food and Digestion
  • Respiration
  • Fit and Healthy
  • Microbes and Diseases
  • Energy Resources
  • Energy and Electricity
  • Heating and Cooling
  • Rocks and Weathering
  • The Rock Cycle
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Atoms and Elements
  • Compounds and Mixtures


The Science Curriculum in Year 9
In Year 9 pupils study Science for 3 hours a week and cover the following units of work:

  • Plants and Photosynthesis
  • Plants and Food
  • Forces and their Effects
  • Speeding Up
  • Solar System and Beyond
  • Gravity and Space
  • Pressure and Moments
  • Reaction of Metals and Compounds
  • Patterns of Reactivity
  • Using Chemistry


The Core Science Curriculum in Year 10
Core Science is a two year programme that follows the 360 Core Science course from the Edexcel examination board.  In Year 10 pupils study Core Science for 3 hours a week and cover the following units of work:

Biology        Unit B1a   

  • The Environment
  • Genes

Physics        Unit P1a   

  • Producing and Measuring Electricity
  • You’re in Charge

Chemistry    Unit C1a   

  • Patterns in Properties
  • Making Changes

The Core Science Curriculum in Year 11
In Year 11 pupils study Core Science for 3 hours a week and cover the following units of work: 

Biology        Unit B1b   

  • Electrical and Chemical Signals
  • Use, Misuse and Abuse

Physics        Unit P1b   

  • Now You See It, Now You Don’t
  • Space and its Mysteries

Chemistry    Unit C1b   

  • There’s One Earth
  • Designer Products

Examinations and Internally Assessed Activities (IAAs) are scheduled for November, March and June of each academic year.

The Additional Science Curriculum in Year 10
Core Science is a two year programme that follows the 360 Additional Science course from the Edexcel examination board.  In Year 10 pupils study Additional Science for 3 hours a week and cover the following units of work:

Biology        Unit B2   

  • Inside Living Cells
  • Divide and Develop
  • Energy Flow
  • Interdependence

Chemistry    Unit C2       

  • Synthesis
  • In Your Element
  • Chemical Structures
  • How Fast? How Furious?

    The Additional Science Curriculum in Year 11
    In Year 11 pupils study Additional Science for 3 hours a week and cover the following units of work:

Physics       Unit P2

  • As Fast As You Can
  • Roller Coasters and Relativity
  • Putting Radiation to Use
  • Power of the Atom

    Examinations and Internally Assessed Activities (IAAs) are scheduled for November, March and June of each academic year.

    The Separate Science Curriculum in Year 10
    Separate Science is a two year programme that follows the 360 Separate Science course from the Edexcel examination board.  In Year 10 pupils study Separate Science for 8 hours a week and cover the following units of work:

Biology        Unit B1a   

  • The Environment
  • Genes

Physics        Unit P1a   

  • Producing and Measuring Electricity
  • You’re in Charge

Chemistry    Unit C1a   

  • Patterns in Properties
  • Making Changes

Biology        Unit B2   

  • Inside Living Cells
  • Divide and Develop
  • Energy Flow
  • Interdependence

Chemistry    Unit C2       

  • Synthesis
  • In Your Element
  • Chemical Structures
  • How Fast? How Furious?

Biology        Unit B3   

  • Biotechnology
  • Behaviour in Humans and Other Animals

Chemistry    Unit C3       

  • Chemical Detection
  • Chemistry Working For Us


The Separate Science Curriculum in Year 11
In Year 11 pupils study Separate Science for 8 hours a week and cover the following units of work:
 

Biology        Unit B1b   

  • Electrical and Chemical Signals
  • Use, Misuse and Abuse

Chemistry    Unit C1b   

  • There’s One Earth
  • Designer Products

Physics        Unit P1b   

  • Now You See It, Now You Don’t
  • Space and its Mysteries

Physics        Unit P2       

  • As Fast As You Can
  • Roller Coasters and Relativity
  • Putting Radiation to Use

Physics        Unit P3       

  • Particles in Action
  • Medical Physics


Examinations and Internally Assessed Activities (IAAs) are scheduled for November, March and June of each academic year.


The Additional Science Psychology Curriculum in Year 10
Additional Science Psychology is a two year programme that follows the Additional Science Psychology course from the Edexcel examination board.  In Year 10 pupils study Additional Science Psychology for 2 hours a week and cover the following unit of work: 

  • Perception and Dreaming


The Additional Science Psychology Curriculum in Year 11
In Year 11 pupils study Additional Science Psychology for 2 hours a week and cover the following unit of work: 

  • Social and Biological Psychological Debates

Examinations are scheduled for May in each academic year.


The BTEC Applied Science Curriculum in Year 10
BTEC Applied Science is a two year programme that follows the Level 2 BTEC course from the Edexcel examination board.  In Year 10 pupils study BTEC Applied Science for 5 hours a week and cover the following unit of work: 

  • Unit 1        Chemistry and Our Earth
  • Unit 2        Energy and Our Universe
  • Unit 3        Biology and Our Environment


The BTEC Applied Science Curriculum in Year 11
In Year 11 pupils study BTEC Applied Science for 6 hours a week and cover the following unit of work:

  • Investigating a Crime Scene
  • Exploring the Universe
  • Applications of Chemical Substances

Assessment is based on completion of assignments that together, create a portfolio of work.  Pupils can achieve a Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Assessment For Learning

In Science, marking is a means of communicating with pupils and their parents/carers.  It enhances achievement and pupils find regular feedback in the form of constructive comments, very motivating.

A detailed marking policy is in place, which facilitates a standardised approach across the department.  This includes encouraging peer and self assessment where appropriate.

When marking, Science teachers focus on:
Presentation - a logical, orderly approach to a task.
Accuracy - in both the written and scientific content of the task.
Effort - recognising a pupil’s commitment to their education.
Investigations - are marked in line with examination board criteria (ie: planning, observing, analysis and evaluation).


Attainment in our department
 

Results at end of Key Stage 3 (Level 5+)

  2008 2009 2010
Science Level 5+ 55% 64% 69%



Results at end of Key Stage 4 (A*-C)

  2008 2009 2010
Core Science 44% 44% 39%
Additional Science 57% 53% 45%
BTEC Applied Science N/A 88% N/A
Separate Sciences N/A N/A 88%