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Science
The Science department staff includes:
- Miss J Whitworth – Lead Teacher of Science
- Mrs H Chapman – Teacher of Science
As a pinnacle member of the STREAM focus at SST Maidstone, the Science department educates students on the fundamental knowledge and skills across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students are able to mix theory and practical science together to investigate hypotheses and challenge key questions.
The Science department runs a Science club each week to inspire students to try a range of different experiments whilst Space club helps students explore key themes from our Universe alongside other students in the campus.
The department has strong collaborative links with other departments, such as:
- Study of cells in Biology to explore structure and function and to produce detailed biological drawings in Art
- Using angles and reflection in Physics and linking to geometry in Maths
- The investigation of energy in food and exploring food groups.
- Exploring the properties of various materials in Physics and applying these to design in DT.
Curriculum Intent
The Science Department Intent is:
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For students to develop a curiosity, enthusiasm and enduring love for learning scientific concepts and awareness of scientific advancements regardless of ability or background.
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To allow students to frequently revisit knowledge and therefore, formulate links between different concepts, enabling students to embed and futher expand their scientific understanding.
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To provide students with opportunities to plan and undertake practical investigations to allow hands on exploration of scientific concepts and thus motivate students to use problem solving skills, make observations and analyse data allowing students to make links between scientific theory and investigative outcomes.
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To increase the ambitions of students through increased awareness of science in everyday life, building on cultural capital and removing stereotypes through inclusion of career links, extracurricular opportunities and wider reading.
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To encourage students to become independent, inquisitive, active critical thinkers who are able to apply understanding to different situations and transfer scientific skills to other subject areas and their lives beyond education.
Curriculum Information
Year 7
- Introduction to Science
- Matter
- Cells and Organisation
- Energy
- Forces Part 1
- Reactions
- Ecosystems
Year 8
- Periodic Table
- Electricity
- Variation and Evolution
- Space and Earth
- Biological Processes
- Chemical Energy
- Forces Part 2
- Organic Chemistry
Year 9
Biology:
- Cell Biology
- Organisation
- Infection and response
Chemistry:
- Atomic structure
- The Periodic Table
- Structure and bonding
- Chemical calculations
- Chemical changes
Physics:
- Energy conservation and dissipation
- Forces in balance
- Matter and molecules
- Wave properties
- Electric circuits
Year 10 and 11
Students will continue to study science at GCSE and will have the option to choose Triple Award or Double Award Science.
Year 12 and 13
Students will have the opportunity to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A-level.
Transition Information
Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3
Students begin their KS3 course with an introduction to science which allows students to address common misunderstandings and provides students with the opportunity to work scientifically and improve their scientific enquiry skills.
Prior knowledge is assessed at the start of each topic to account for different starting points and allow misconceptions to be addressed.
There is an opportunity for students to join Science Club and Space Club to promote further interest and exploration of the science topics studied. Students will also participate in a Science Fair Project of their choosing in Year 8.
Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4
Throughout the KS3 programme of study, students will complete a Foundation Year at Year 9. This will revisit KS3 topics and thus enable students to further develop their understanding and application of scientific concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Students will be able to utilise their investigative based skills learnt at KS3 and build on these as they progress through the required practical activities included within the GCSE course beginning in Year 10.
Embedded within the KS3 and KS4 content are links to career paths and extended insights into various scientific careers.
Key Stage 4 to Key Stage 5
Students will revisit topics that have been covered in both Key Stages. This exploration will be in much greater detail and breadth.
At GCSE, students complete the required practical activities within all sciences which will prepare them well for the more challenging A-level practical assessment delivered across the Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses.
Links with the Sixth Forms at other schools on the campus allows discussion with other GCSE and A-level allowing students to collaborate and raise their aspirations. Career links are further embedded to increase awareness of the vast range of science professions.
Beyond Key Stage 5
Students are given opportunities to look at different routes to pursue further studies in science beyond the Sixth form, including apprenticeships, college courses and University modules.
Unit Plans
Click here to view the Unit Plans.
Extended Curriculum Information
