KEY STAGE 3

In years 7 and 8 students follow a programme of study with links to the Exploring Science course, which encourages students to develop independent thinking skills and to appreciate the constant development of scientific knowledge.  A strong emphasis is placed on experimental work with students learning how to design and safely carry out experiments.  

Students' progress is monitored both by end of unit tests, on-going class assessment focusing on developing scientific thinking, and an end of year exam.  Students are encouraged to participate actively in their education and to begin to identify their own strengths and weaknesses in collaboration with their class teacher.

Topics being taught in KS3

Year 7             

CELLS

FORCES & EFFECTS

PARTICLES

ENERGY

NUTRITION & DIGESTION

CHEMICAL REACTIONS

SOUND & LIGHT

REPRODUCTION

SPACE

ECOLOGY

Year 8

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

CIRCUITS

SEPARATING MIXTURES

STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF ORGANISMS

PRESSURE

CHEMICAL ENERGY

FORCES, MOTION & ENERGY

GENETICS

ELECTRICAL ENERGY  

What do the students say?

‘All the different things we do are so inventive. I look forward to finding out what we are doing next time!’

‘Science at Highworth is great fun. You get given so much trust, responsibility and freedom. You get to do the work in a fun environment and you still end up learning the information’

‘The best thing I like about science is that we learn a variety of topics with a variety of resources’

‘Science at Highworth has been fun because of all the practicals and because the teachers are so supportive, we always have fun in science!’

GCSE BIOLOGY

All students study AQA GCSE Biology. 

The course aims to: 

·         develop students’ interest in, and enthusiasm for, Biology

·         develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods in Biology

·         acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works and its essential role in society

·         acquire scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for progression to A Level Biology

 GCSE Biology AQA Key Materials

A LEVEL BIOLOGY

We offer AQA Biology A Level, a course that builds on GCSE knowledge and skills but requires the learning of a large body of factual information in much more depth and detail.

The course is designed to encourage students to: 

·         develop their interest in and enthusiasm for Biology, including developing an interest in further study and careers in the subject

·         appreciate how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how Biology contributes to the success of the economy and society

·         develop and demonstrate a deeper appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of How Science Works, including practical skills

·         develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of Biology and how they relate to each other

A broad range of topics and a wide range of organisms are studied. Biologists attend a one day field trip to Brockhill Country Park in Term 6 of year 12.  There is an emphasis on the application of knowledge to unfamiliar contexts.

 A Level Biology AQA Key Materials

Our Departmental Team: 

Mr Alan Donovan  (Head of Chemistry/Head of Science)

Mr Dan Boorman (Teacher of Chemistry/Science Teaching and Learning)

Dr Elizabeth Coupe (Teacher of Chemistry)

Mr J Birbeck-Bailes

Miss J Constantinou-Nash

Mr Anton Banham (Technician)

Our prefects this year are:

Nitesh Gurung, Eleanor Hiscocks, Namling Limbu, Alice McLennan, James Ollis, Machi Onuorah, Jesika Rai, Arina Thapa

They are keen to develop the enthusiasm of younger students through an enrichment programme as well as support exam classes through peer mentoring.

The Chemistry team aim to develop in the students a fascination and enthusiasm for chemistry, whilst building their knowledge and understanding.  We believe it is important for students to have a positive experience in chemistry that is both enabling and challenging.  A variety of approaches to teaching and learning are used, including both practical and theoretical activities.  The students study the ideas and concepts that underpin the processes in the world around us giving them a solid platform from which they can progress through the key stages and onto higher education.  The department continues to build on its high standards and many of our students go on to study chemistry as well as medicine, dentistry and veterinary sciences at university.

Key Stage 3

Chemistry is delivered as part of the key stage 3 science curriculum.  It provides a solid base of skills and knowledge for the GCSE chemistry course, which they start during year 9.

Key Stage 4

http://www.sciencelab.org.uk/gcses/chemistry-unit-1.php

All students start chemistry as a separate science in year 9 and take the terminal exam at the end of year 11.  The GCSE is delivered by specialist subject teachers, benefiting the students directly in the classroom as well as through the development of an interesting and challenging scheme of work.

The students study the AQA Chemistry course, which is divided into 4 units; three theoretical and an assessed practical contribution.  The first year introduces fundamental concepts of chemistry in the context of many challenges of the world around us, from the significance of atomic structure in chemical reactions to the problems of diminishing resources and the development of new alternatives.  As students’ progress the increasing demands of the course enable them to acquire and apply the skills, knowledge and understanding of a broad range of chemical concepts.  Completion of this separate GCSE provides an excellent grounding for progression to the A-level chemistry course.

Key Stage 5

http://www.aqa.org.uk/qualifications/a-level/science/chemistry.php

The course of study is AQA Chemistry.  The AS course is studied and examined in year 12 and A2 is examined in year 13.  This is a robust course, ensuring excellent standards of knowledge, understanding and skills in chemistry at A-level.  A rigorous examination system, which includes longer synoptic questions, leads to high standards across all areas of the course.  Investigative and Practical Skills Assignments are a compulsory part of the course, which ensures the inclusion of practical skills development.  The AS course provides a solid grounding in chemistry, introducing a deeper understanding of the structure, bonding and reactivity of atoms and molecules and developing a sound knowledge, understanding and skills in physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.   At A2 students develop their understanding of the concepts of physical chemistry, studying kinetics, organic and ligand chemistry and spectroscopic techniques.

Our Departmental Teaching Team:

Mrs N Spooner (Head of Physics)

Mr D Hall (Acting Deputy Headteacher)

Mrs S Rickett

Mr N M^cCarthy

Our Departmental Physics Technician:

Mr G Moore  

Our Departmental Prefects:

Callum Curtis

Angus Entwistle

Kit Lingwood

Avash Magar

Joe Turner

Megan Wong

STEM - Carl Cox

Highworth Physics Department has a proud history.  The department has produced many successful students who have subsequently gone on to study Physics at Degree level in traditional universities and further educational institutions, including Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London.  

The Physics department constantly strives to make Physics relevant to students, hoping to impart the skills and lifelong knowledge, necessary for living in a modern technological society.  Recent Physics trips abroad, e.g. CERN, Switzerland (2015) have produced exciting extra-curricular opportunities for upper school students to explore the weird and wonderful world of particle Physics as well developing their knowledge of international scientific opportunities.

The department maintains links with the IOP and the University of Kent at Canterbury who provide opportunities for A-level students to participate in university taster sessions and physics/engineering activity days. In 2015 our link with the, “Smallpeice Trust” has afforded students in year 10 the opportunity to participate in engineering residential courses offered by providers such as the RAF, while year 9 students have had the opportunity to participate in STEM competitions run by local providers such as CXK or to attend the Big Bang Events fair at venues such as the Herstmonceux Observatory.  

KEY STAGE 3

At KS3, Physics is taught as a number of dedicated topics, alongside the Biology and Chemistry units that fit under the “General Science” umbrella.  The newly rewritten Physics section of the 2 year KS3 course provides a solid base for building strong scientific skills and knowledge and for future study at GCSE and A level.  Students benefit from being taught by teachers with a wide breadth and depth of teaching knowledge and a passion for science.

KEY STAGE 4

All students study AQA GCSE Physics as a separate science award and are taught by specialist physics teachers. Students currently entering year 11 (2016) will be assessed by terminal examinations in June 2017. These examinations are based on the three separate units of work students have studied over the three year course and will be assessed by three final papers of 1 hour duration; each paper contributes a 25% weighting for the current GCSE course. In 2017 Year 11 students will also complete an Investigative Skills Assessment, (ISA) comprising of a practical assessment followed by a written test, which also carries a 25% weighting.

Students entering year 9 and those in year 10 from 2016 onwards, will study Physics (AQA Physics 8463) as a separate science, however students on this route will be assessed on three units of work in two final examinations. Each examination from 2018 onwards will be worth 50% of the final grade and incorporate practical skills questions within the new format of the 1hour 45minute exam papers.

The courses aim to:

• develop students’ interest in, and enthusiasm for, Physics
• develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods in Physics
• enable students to acquire and apply skills, knowledge and an understanding of how science works and its essential role in society
• enable students to acquire scientific skills, knowledge and the understanding necessary for progression to A2 physics and other courses

GCSE Physics AQA Specification:  

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463/specification-at-a-glance

KEY STAGE 5

At KS5 we offer a two year Physics A-Level, (AQA 4708).  This course builds upon GCSE knowledge but seeks to inspire students, nurture a passion for physics and lay the groundwork for future study in science or engineering. At A Level, students are required to learn and retain a large body of factual information and to be able to employ creative and analytical thinking skills. There is however, no pre-requisite for external students to have followed the AQA GCSE course prior to joining this A2 course in the sixth form as concepts from the GCSE course that arise at A-level are reviewed in lessons and in detail when required.

From 2017 onwards, this new course will be assessed by three, two hour terminal examinations weighted as 34%, 34% and 32% of the final grade. More information on the course content and structure of this course is given on the sixth form subject pages.

This course is designed to encourage students to:

• develop their interest in and enthusiasm for Physics, including developing an interest in further study and careers in the subject
• develop and demonstrate a deeper appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of How Science Works
• develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of Physics and how they relate to each other
• appreciate how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how Physics contributes to the success of the economy and society

A Level Physics AQA Specification:

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408/spec-at-a-glance