Head of Faculty

Mrs H Seaward
e-mail

Members of Faculty

Name Role
Miss T Edwards Teacher of Science e-mail
Mr N Cockcroft Teacher of Biology e-mail
Mrs K West Teacher of Physics e-mail
Miss J Patrick Teacher of Science/Assistant Faculty Leader e-mail
Mr P Morbey Teacher of Science/Head of Year 11 e-mail
Mrs A Omerjee Teacher of Science e-mail
Mrs J Chavda Teacher of Science e-mail
Mrs A Yassin Teacher of Science e-mail
Mrs J Shakespeare Teacher of Science e-mail
Mrs C Melvin Senior Science Technician e-mail
Mrs E Ogunbowale Science Technician e-mail
Mrs K Has Science Technician e-mail

Science Curriculum Intent Statement

Faculty Introduction

At St. Paul’s we understand science to be an intellectual and practical activity. The core aim of our curriculum is to allow the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world.

The scientific method is best understood through observation and experiment and we are committed to expanding scientific dialogue and thought.

Within the science curriculum students can gain a variety of qualifications up to A level, giving a secure basis to studying science at university and within chosen professions. Our science curriculum allows students to accumulate the knowledge and skill they need for future learning and employment.

Beginning with transition work from KS2 and leading on to the start of KS3 our curriculum addresses preconceptions. We allow time to challenge misconceptions and listen to the ideas students bring to lessons.

Biology begins with the study of the seven processes common to all life and moves through body systems, plant systems and eventually ecosystems. Pupils’ knowledge, thinking and skill is developed in sequenced progression from simple biological concepts to more complex interdependent relationships. Underpinning the study of life processes is the development of the idea of a flow of inherited information through living things.

In chemistry the curriculum considers particle arrangement in solids, liquids and gases and then develops through chemical reactions, patterns and predictions in chemistry and environmental chemistry. Atomic structure becomes the cornerstone that allows students to understand matter and how atoms interact and react with each other.

Physics is considered from the perspective of seven topics; electricity, magnetism, forces and space, energy, waves, particles and, atoms and radioactivity. The curriculum is sequenced so that new learning is interleaved with prior learning. Skills and knowledge are revisited and built upon as students move through the curriculum. Topic tests are used to check and address gaps in understanding. We know that revisiting knowledge after time helps students to move learning into their long-term memory and in this way they can know more by remembering more.

All pupils at St Pauls Catholic School have a right to access the science curriculum and for that curriculum to have been designed in a way that provides them with a culmination of knowledge and skills needed for future successes

The main objective of the Faculty of Science is to provide students with a wide range of experience in the early years, along with a wide range of pathways to follow through KS4 and the 6th form.

Useful Websites

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

AQA GCSE specifications: Combined Science TRILOGY 8464, Biology 8461, Chemistry 8462, Physics 8463

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science

GCSEPOD:

https://www.gcsepod.com/ This is extremely useful for revision by viewing and downloading short videos and completing quizzes attached to each playlist. Helps you to retain and recall all the information needed to achieve GCSE goals.

Seneca Learning:

https://www.senecalearning.com/  – good for all science subjects to help you learn faster and memorise better

AQA practical science demonstrations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=aqa+required+practicals

Free science lessons‘ channel on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqbOeHaAUXw9Il7sBVG3_bw   A series of short videos that cover the AQA 9-1 trilogy. Really useful to watch to revise/go over areas you are not sure of.  IT IS SPECIFIC TO OUR EXAM BOARD.

Primrose kitten – YouTube videos:

https://www.primrosekitten.com/products/gcse-revision-pack  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBgvmal8AR4QIK2e0EfJwaA   Videos to watch, including booster grade 7-9 questions AND a workbook that can be downloaded filled with many quick fire questions.

Doc Brown revision website:

http://www.docbrown.info/index.htm Provides revision notes and questions for GCSE sciences.

Chemistry A level

Google classroom – specification checklist, past papers, exam question, video links and lesson resources https://classroom.google.com/u/0/w/MjI0MDYwNzUyMjcx/t/all

Videos on YouTube

Science Curriculum Plan