Science
The Science department staff includes:
- Miss J Whitworth – Lead Teacher of Science
- Mr J Thomas – Lead Teacher of Physics
- Mrs H Chapman – Teacher of Science and Extended Learning Co-Ordinator
- Miss P Pope – Teacher of Science
- Miss X McLane – Teacher of Science
- Miss H McPherson – Teacher of Science
- Mrs T Sherwood-Farnfield – Lead Science Technician
As a pinnacle member of the STREAM focus at SST Maidstone, the Science department delivers engaging learning experiences through a carefully planned curriculum. Students are educated on the three branches of science; Biology, Chemistry and Physics, allowing them to develop interest and enthusiasm as they develop knowledge and connections with everyday scientific observations. Students also develop their ability to apply scientific understanding through investigation of key scientific hypotheses, allowing the development of a multitude of transferable scientific skills including problem solving, critical thinking, scientific literacy and numeracy and oracy.
The Science department provides several extra-curricular opportunities for students to take part in, allowing students to further explore scientific concepts outside of lessons and nurture enthusiasm and confidence in scientific understanding.
- Science club.
- STEM club and CREST Award.
- Year 9 Medical Mavericks.
The Science 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 linking with food technology and PSHE.
- Exploring circuits and electrical appliances, linking with DT.
Curriculum Intent
The Science Department Intent is:
- For students to develop a curiosity, enthusiasm, and enduring love for learning scientific concepts and awareness of scientific advancements regardless of ability or background.
- To allow students to frequently revisit knowledge and therefore, formulate links between different concepts, enabling students to embed and further expand their scientific understanding.
- 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.
- 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.
- To encourage students to become independent, inquisitive, active critical thinkers who can apply understanding to different situations and transfer scientific skills to other subject areas as well as their lives beyond education.
- Students in Year 7 will be introduced to the basic foundations of key scientific topics, allowing pupils to further build on their KS2 knowledge as they explore key themes within Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students will begin the year with an introductory topic, allowing for students to establish a foundation of enquiry skills.
- In Year 8, students will continue to explore and deepen their understanding of the three sciences, formulating strong scientific connections between previously learnt topics and practical skills. Year 8 students will also take part in a Science Fair, giving them an opportunity to explore a scientific question of their interest further and present to their peers.
- The Year 9 Foundation Year sees students being taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate lessons. The year allows students to transition from KS3 to their GCSE’s as they continue to explore and deepen their knowledge of previously learnt topics across the three branches of science.
- In Year 10, students will embark on the first year GCSE. Students will be studying the combined trilogy science course or separate science course, following the AQA specifications.
Curriculum Information
Year 7
- Introduction to science
- Matter
- Forces Part 1
- Cells and Organisation
- Energy
- Periodic Table
- Reactions
- Ecosystems
- Anatomy
Year 8
- Reproduction
- Space and Earth
- Periodic Table
- Biological Processes
- Chemical Energy
- Electricity
- Science Fair
- Variation and Evolution
- Forces Part 2
Year 9 Foundation Year
Biology
- How are cells adapted to support life?
- How do the components of a living organism interact?
- How can we defend against and treat disease?
Chemistry
- What makes up the world around us?
- What natural resources does our world provide?
- How can we recycle water?
- How can we protect our world?
- How do we organise the elements of the world?
- What happens when we combine substances?
Physics
- How does energy move in waves?
- Why can’t energy be created or destroyed?
- How is energy transferred by heating?
- How is energy provided on a global level?
Year 10
Biology
- B1 – Cells
- B2 – Organisation
- B3 – Infection and Response
- B4 – Bioenergetics
- B5 – Homeostasis
- B6 – Inheritance
Chemistry
- C1 – Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
- C2 – Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter
- C4 – Chemical Changes
- C5 – Energy Changes
- C7 – Organic Chemistry
- C6 – Rate and Extent of Chemical Change
- C6 – Electrolysis
Physics
- P3 – Particle Model
- P4 – Atomic Structure
- P2 – Electricity
- P7 – Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- P5 - Forces
Transition Information
Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3
Students begin their KS3 course with an introduction to science. This topic enables students to familiarise themselves with investigative skills, learn how to plan experiments as well as collect and analyse data. These skills will be continually utilised and strengthened regularly throughout their science education. Students will continue to explore the three branches of science from KS2, learning about the structure and function of living organisms, the particulate model and interaction of matter, and energy resources and transfer. Students will complete a science fair project of their choosing in Year 8, allowing for students to research an area of science they are passionate about and further develop scientific investigative and research skills.
There is an opportunity for students to join Science Club and STEM club to promote further interest and exploration of the science in everyday life.
Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4
When students transition from Year 8 to Year 9 they will complete a Foundation Year. This year allows students to further explore KS3 topics, thus enabling students to further develop their understanding and application of scientific concepts in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This Foundation year allows students to bridge their learning from KS3 to KS4 as they learn key skills and build a sound foundation of knowledge.
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.
Students will study all three sciences at GCSE, following either the separate science or combined science pathway.
Embedded within the KS3 and KS4 content are links to career paths and extended insights into various scientific careers, providing inspiration and insight into a wide variety of conventional and non-conventional careers within science.
Key Stage 4 to Key Stage 5
Students will revisit topics that have been covered in both Key Stages. This exploration will focus on specific aspects of a topic at a much greater detail, allowing students to develop intricate scientific understanding.
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.
Extended Curriculum Information
To see our extended curriculum, please click here.
