Curriculum Intent
The overall Science curriculum experience at Werneth School is based around our commitment to provide all students with a diverse knowledge base in the three individual specialisms within Science. All students study a variety of Biological, Chemical and Physical topics from the functioning of the human body to nuclear radiation. Students are encouraged to feed their intellectual curiosity through problem solving and experimentation whilst establishing the context of their studies in terms of the world around us.
As pupils move through the year groups the Science curriculum is layered to allow students to revisit key learning and deepen their understanding. Links are made between Biological, Chemical and Physical topics to enable students to understand the bigger picture. Our final aim is that the Science curriculum provides our students with a rich understanding of Science that goes beyond the GCSE syllabus and equips them with the powerful knowledge that they can utilise following their studies at Werneth School.
Curriculum Features
At Key Stage Three we have a content rich curriculum that spans the foundations of all three specialisms. The curriculum is designed to equip students with a firm understanding of key concepts such as cells, reactions and forces. Students are encouraged to make links between their learning at regular intervals through the use of interleaved assessments. This structure allows them to see, understand and explain the key underpinnings of scientific theories.
At Key Stage Four students are empowered to utilise their learning to explain observations and facts from the world around us thus adding context and significance to their learning. We offer a rich curriculum including combined and triple Science routes. To reflect the linear exam courses material is studied on an ongoing cycle with a focus placed on the key links between different concepts and theories. Regular testing takes place which is supported by retrieval practice during lessons. This aids the development of long-term memory and mastery of both the skills and knowledge required. All lessons have clear and consistent routines and follow a common format that has been adopted by all members of the faculty to ensure consistent delivery.
Co-curriculum Enrichment
Students are offered a wide variety of opportunities and experiences that enrich their understanding of the world around them and how they are connected to it. Such opportunities include:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) focused challenges and competitions operated by the Royal Air Force and Stockport Grammar School
- Trips to ‘Big Bang’ roadshows
- Royal Society of Chemistry Careers Resources (Werneth school is an Affiliate Member)
- STEM Learning Network Summer Camps focused around the ever-increasing role of STEM in the modern world
- STEM Learning Network career ambassador talks
Running alongside all of our key stages is an ongoing focus on developing students’ practical skills to enable all of our students to be effective theoretical and practical scientists.
Overview
Science at Werneth School is an interesting and fascinating subject that aims to explain the world around us. Science is delivered by ten teachers who individually specialise in Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Science is a hands-on subject at Werneth School and every opportunity is taken to develop practical and problem-solving skills.
Years 7 and 8
Year 7 students study Science through six one-hour lessons over a two-week timetable. Year 8 students study Science through seven one-hour lessons over a two-week timetable. During this time topics are taught in half termly blocks with students studying the fundamentals of Biology, Chemistry and Physics from atomic structure to cells and not forgetting electricity and magnetism. All students study a bespoke curriculum that has been developed by our teaching team of Science specialists to best meet the needs of all of our pupils.
Year 9
Year 9 students study Science through seven one-hour lessons over a two-week timetable. Students are provided with opportunities to extend their Mathematical skills in relation to scientific concepts in readiness for the vigour of GCSE studies. Knowledge acquired during years 7 and 8 is expanded on including unicellular and multicellular organisms, energy conversions and periodicity. During the summer term students are selected to enter a Combined or Triple Science pathway for year 10.
Years 10 and 11
At key stage four there are two available pathways in Science. A large portion of students are selected to study Triple Science. Their nine lessons are split equally between Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Pupils who are selected to study this course will receive three GCSE grades without using an option choice. The second pathway enables pupils to study Combined Science over nine lessons a fortnight and receive two GCSE grades. All classes at key stage four are taught to specialism and are allocated a separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics teacher. All pupils follow the AQA specification and are assessed by external examinations at the end of year eleven. The examinations require pupils to describe and explain specific practical procedures performed during key stage four as a replacement for the traditional controlled assessment element of the course.
A wealth of support is offered to students throughout both key stages including weekly revision clubs and specific intervention programs. A timetable for year eleven revision sessions will be published on this page at the start of each academic year. We are a dynamic and helpful department who are dedicated to driving achievement for all students.
TASSOMAI
The Science department at Werneth School have invested in an online learning program called Tassomai for all our students.
Tassomai is an intelligent learning program that helps students achieve outstanding results.
Tassomai uses multiple choice style micro-quizzes to build knowledge, boost confidence and reduce exam stress.
The program will be used in school and can also be used outside of school as an app on a mobile device. All students will receive a daily goal of twenty-five questions to answer.
Rewards will be presented to students who consistently engage with the program outside of school.
For students in years seven and eight the program also includes a Maths and an English element.
The program was piloted with year eleven during the academic year of 2018-19. Students who used the program extensively and improved their accuracy when answering the quizzes achieved some truly outstanding results as illustrated below;
|
Name |
Tassomai Accuracy |
GCSE Grades |
|
Yosab Salib |
97% |
9-9-9 |
|
Emily Aughton |
80% |
8-8-7 |
|
Kim Smith |
86% |
8-8-7 |
|
Nadia Hegerty |
84% |
8-8-7 |
|
Matthew Hill |
75% |
7-7 |
|
Rose Warburton |
89% |
8-8 |
|
Alex Charlwood |
78% |
8-8 |
|
Helki Kerrigan |
81% |
7-6 |
|
Abby Foster |
92% |
7-6 |
|
Lauren Smith |
82% |
6-6 |
|
Helen Irons |
79% |
6-6 |
Parents can monitor their child’s usage of the app by following the instructions that will be sent by Edulink in due course. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding the learning program please contact the Subject Leader of Science;
mark.brighton@wernethschool.com
Any enquiries about Science can be made by emailing the address below...