SCIENCE AT KEY STAGE 4

If you have ever wondered why the sky is blue, or what is the universe expanding into, or why don’t penguin’s feet freeze, then you will understand why teaching and learning about this subject is so amazing.

The Priestlands’ Science department aims to nurture the enquiring minds of our students in a challenging and fun manner. This enables all students to operate as scientists, because once they leave Priestlands school, Science will infiltrate their lives in so many ways on a daily basis.

Through our Science courses we hope:

• To develop students’ understanding of the science around them that affects them in their everyday life.
• To develop students’ questioning, analytical and evaluative approach to scientific problems and issues.
• To develop students’ practical skills in science and an understanding of how science works.
• To encourage enthusiasm about science leading to continued study.

Science in Year 9

All students study the AQA Science A GCSE specification. Towards the end of Year 9 students will be offered a Science route which will see them through Year 10 and 11. Depending on ability, teacher recommendation and personal preference students will go on to study Double Science (Core and Additional), Separate Sciences or BTEC in Applied Science.

Science in Year 10 and 11

Students studying Double Science or Separate Sciences will follow the AQA Science A GCSE specification. Those studying BTEC will follow the Edexcel Extended Certificate in Applied Science.

Modules covered in Core Science (covered by all students)
Biology units (B1):	Part 1: Diet, exercise, hormones , genes and drugs
	Part 2: Surviving and changing in the environment
Chemistry units (C1):	Part 1: Atoms, rocks, metals and fuels
	Part 2: Polymers, plant oils, the Earth and its atmosphere
Physics units (P1):	Part 1: Energy and efficiency
	Part 2: Electrical energy and waves
Assessment Structure	75% externally assessed by three structured papers.
	25% internally assessed by one controlled assessment

Modules covered in Additional Science (covered by Double and Separate Science students)
Biology units (B2):	Part 1: Cells and the growing plant
	Part 2: Genes and proteins, inheritance, gene technology
Chemistry units (C2):	Part 1: Structures, properties and uses
	Part 2: Rates, energy, salts and electrolysis
Physics units (P2):	Part 1: Forces and motion
	Part 2: Electricity and radiation
Assessment Structure	75% externally assessed by three structured papers.
	25% internally assessed by one controlled assessment

Modules covered in Separate Sciences (covered only by Separate Scientists)
Biology units (B3):	Part 1: Exchange and transport
	Part 2: Regulating environments
Chemistry units (C3):	Part 1: Water, energy and the periodic table
	Part 2: Analysis, ammonia and organic chemistry
Physics units (P3)	Part 1: Physics in medicine
	Part 2: Making things work
Assessment Structure	75% externally assessed by three structured papers.
	25% internally assessed by one controlled assessment

Modules covered in BTEC Science Year 10
Physics	Energy transformations and communication
	Applications of waves and radiation
	Waves and communication
	Electrical power
	The solar system and our universe
Biology	The genetic code
	Interdependence of living organisms
	Human interaction with the environment
	Homeostasis
Chemistry	Elements, mixtures and compounds
	Electronic structure and periodic table
	Controlling industrial reactions
	Affecting the environment
Assessment	100% Internal marking of the above assessments

Modules covered in BTEC Science Year 11
Biology	Enzymes
	Body Systems
	Nervous system
	Endocrine system
	Human reproductive system
Physics	Design and make a pinhole camera
	Design and make a micro weighing scale
	Design and make a periscope
	Design and make batteries
Assessment	100% Internal marking of the above assessments