Science

Our Science department aims to provide a positive learning experience to all students. We ensure that pupils are equipped with a deep scientific understanding, a plethora of transferable skills, and the ability to recognise the importance of science in the modern world.       

We do this by providing pupils with an engaging and creative curriculum, enriched further with a variety of extracurricular activities to help pupils gain a fascination of the world and phenomena around them.

KS3

Students across Key Stage 3 are timetabled to attend four science lessons per week. Lessons aim to challenge and engage students whilst developing pupils’ scientific method and investigative skills. They acquire and apply scientific skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works in everyday life and its role in society and the world around them. There is a lot of emphasis on practical work and the development of practical skills, with the first module students take in Year 7 being focused specifically on this skill set which is embedded throughout their science education.  

STEM initiatives form a crucial component of science enrichment, with a range of STEM activities being offered, including educational shows in school, celebrating science week, trips and

extra-curricular clubs, these allow pupils to explore science further, as well as, support their learning.

The condensed two-year Key Stage 3 science curriculum at Park View follows the reformed National Curriculum and enables students to start the GCSE Science curriculum in February of Year 9 fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful at KS4.

Year 9

All pupils will now start the AQA GCSE science course in spring 1 following the AQA Combined Science trilogy or separate science specifications.

Year 10 and Year 11

All year 10 and 11 pupils are currently following the new AQA GCSE specification also.

We offer two pathways;

 AQA Combined Science Trilogy- This course awards pupils with two GCSE’s and is assessed with 6 exams, 2 for each strand of science with papers tiered for foundation and higher levels.

AQA Separate sciences- This course awards pupils with three GCSE’s in each science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and is again assessed with 6 exams,2 for each strand of science with papers tiered for foundation and higher levels. 

Homework

All pupils are given weekly educake assessments to complete online aimed at consolidating what they have learnt in class.

Pupils at KS4 are also provided with exam questions, specifically designed to consolidate their learning and examination technique.

Science Curriculum Overview