Subject Leader – Miss S Keal

(sarah.keal@selston.ttct.co.uk) 

The Science Department aims to inspire students to explore and engage with the exciting world of science and its many applications. 

Key Stage 3 Learning: 

Pupils study all three Sciences at Key Stage 3.  Year 7 groups are taught in their tutor groups; Years 8 are taught in set groups.  Throughout the three years pupils study a wide variety of topics that cover Chemistry, Biology and Physics.  Each topic is assessed through a variety of methods including written topic tests, levelled tasks and homework to assess knowledge, understanding and skills.  Throughout the three years pupils will undertake a wide variety of practical work and the development of these skills will help to support their understanding of how science works in the real world.   

Key Stage 4 Learning: 

The majority of students in Key Stage 4 will study towards GCSE Combined Science. This qualification will allow each student to gain two equal GCSE grades at the end of the course. The course consists of topics in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and at the end of Year 11, students will sit six written examinations. Amongst other practical work, students will take part in a number of ‘Core Practicals’ and they will be examined on various aspects of these activities. 

At the end of Year 8 some pupils will be invited to opt to study for the separate GCSE Sciences in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students studying for these qualifications will also sit six written examinations at the end of the course. However, the examination papers are longer and examine a wider range of knowledge, understanding and skills. Students opting for this pathway often go on to study Science A-levels at Post-16.