Science

Science Department Staff

For more information about the Subject curriculum, please contact: Mrs J McCutcheon the Curriculum Leader.

Mrs J McCutcheon - Curriculum Leader
Mr A Cook-Allison
Mr M Daniels
Mrs J Hayes
Mrs D Holden - Teacher in charge of Physics
Mr D Simpson - Teacher in charge of Chemistry
Miss C Warburton
Mrs A Ellis -Technician
Mrs S Walsh - Senior Technician
Mrs K Pye - Science Support

The Science Department

We are a strong team of staff dedicated to delivering the very best in teaching so that every student at Balshaw’s enjoys Science and experiences the highest quality learning!

We are have 6 labs and one Science classroom.

As well as teaching Science, members of the team get involved in wider school activities such as : Science clubs, STEM activities, Engineers of the Future – Lego Club, Maths, hockey, football, gardening club, trips plus much more!

At Balshaw’s we want to enrich our students fully in the wonderful world of Science!

After all…Science is all around us!

Year 7 Science Club

On Wednesday evenings 3.30 - 4.15 pm our Year 7 Science Club meet to carry out exciting challenges, experiments and watch some explosive demonstrations! Enjoying up to 30 members each year, this thriving club is organized by Mrs Holden and staffed by members of the department.

There is an annual Science Club trip for members – last year they visted the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum in London! Read all about their adventures in this article.

Year 7 Science club is run by Mrs Holden and Mrs McCutcheon

Year 8 Science Club

It meets on Tuesday evenings 3:30 - 4:30pm in room 40 and is run by Mrs Hayes. Students who join will work towards a CREST award while enjoying fun and exciting Science activities and experiments.

Members of the club attended a trip last year to the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum in London! Read all about their adventures in this article.

Engineers of the Future – Lego Club

This highly successful club is run by Mr Simpson and involves producing a Lego vehicle capable of completing a set of challenges under competition conditions. The group were the North of England winners and earned a place at the National Finals at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, where some of the team won individual prizes for their efforts. This club is for Year 9 students.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

In Years 7, 8 and 9 students are taught in ability groups where they study all three Sciences. In each year they study Biology, Chemistry and Physics topics with end of topic tests and assessments throughout the year. Students in different classes will all study the same topics each term but classes will complete these in a different order so there is less demand on equipment and resources.

The following topics will be covered in Key Stage 3:

Year 7 – Particles, Cells, Forces, Diffusion & Separation, Reproduction, Acids & Alkalis, Ecosystems, Earth & Atmosphere
Year 8 – Nutrition & Digestion, Periodic Table, Atoms & Elements, Light & Sound, Chemical Reactions, Heat & Sound, Pressure, Materials, Electrical Circuits & Magnetism
Year 9 – Forces, Energy Transfers & Electricity, Photosynthesis, Motion, Genetics & Evolution, Maths Skills in Science, Scientific Practical Skills, Careers in Science, Astronomy and Space

Lessons and Homework

Year 7 have 5 lessons of Science per fortnight
Year 8 have 6 lessons of Science per fortnight
Year 9 have 5 lessons of Science per fortnight

Homework will be set in a variety of ways including worksheets, exam questions, graph drawing, practical write-ups, research and model making.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Students in Year 10 will be studying for the new style GCSE taught by subject specialists in classes of Higher and Foundation students. Students may be invited to intervention sessions to boost attainment and/or consolidate knowledge and understanding in a small group situation. End of unit exams and assessments will be completed regularly to track students progress as there will be no formal external examinations until the end of Year 11. Coursework has been replaced by required practicals as set by AQA, our exam board, and students are expected to have taken part in these as there will be questions about these on the exam. Students who are absent will be required to copy up notes etc upon their return and have a 'buddy' in class who will collect sheets etc for them.

As in previous years we ask that students purchase a revision guide and workbook form school (we can sell these at a discounted price as we purchase in bulk) which will be used for all three Sciences over the next two years. Revision cards are also available.

Key Stage 4 students either study Separate Sciences (set 1 only) or Combined Science (Science Trilogy). Our exam board is AQA. Separate Science students will study for 3 GCSEs and will sit six exams of 1 hour 45 minutes. Students studying Combined Science will be awarded two Science GCSE grades. These students will sit six papers of 1 hour 15 minutes and will either be entered for Higher or Foundation tier.

Year 11 Science Revision Materials

Biology Revision Checklist - Foundation, Higher and Separates

Chemistry Combined Science: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Chemistry Separate Science: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Physics Checklist Combined: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Foundation, 7 Higher, 8 Foundation, 8 Higher, 9 Foundation, 9 Higher, 10 Foundation, 10 Higher, 12 Foundation, 12 Higher, 13 Foundation, 13 Higher, 15 Foundation, 15 Higher

Physics Revision Checklist Separate: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Year 8 Magnificent Magnets Homework

Our Year 8 Science students have produced some amazing pieces of work whilst exploring what happens when this phenomenon occurs and how it could affect our communication systems and the navigation systems of many wildlife species.

Thank you to all the students (& parent helpers) for all of their hard work.