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 J Bailey
- Mr M Daniels - GCSEPod and ClassCharts coordinator
- 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
Science Department
The intent of our Science Curriculum is to develop scientifically literate citizens who are equipped with scientific skills required to understand the uses and implications of Science. Students are encouraged to see how Biology, Chemistry and Physics interconnect with each other and the outside world. We want to develop their understanding and appreciation of the natural, material and physical world around them and to encourage awe and wonder.
We want students to realise how scientific innovation and advances changes our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity.
At Balshaw’s Church of England High School we wish to inspire many students to become future scientists and for others to see the applications of Science within our everyday lives.
Our Science Curriculum area is one of the largest in school with 7 members of teaching staff, one Science teaching assistant and two laboratory technicians. We have 6 well equipped laboratories and a science classroom.
KS3 Curriculum
We operate a three year KS3 programme of study, incorporating fully the National Curriculum.
Pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 will usually have one Science teacher who delivers all three Sciences using topics (see table below). Students in Years 7 have five Science lessons per fortnight and Year 8 and Year 9 students have six lessons. We have 7 classes in Year 7 and 8 with 3 ability sets in the X band and 4 in the Y band. In Year 9 we have 4 ability sets in both the X and Y bands.
Students are assessed regularly throughout KS3 with the use of summative and formative assessments for each topic as well as summative assessments that require retention and recall of more than one topic at a time.
We operate a carousel system for each year group at KS3 to facilitate the sharing of practical equipment.
Year 7 Topics |
Year 8 Topics |
Year 9 Topics |
C1 Particles |
B4 Nutrition & Digestion |
C7 Chemical Reactions 2 |
B1 Cells |
C4 Periodic Table, Atoms & Elements |
P10 Forces, Energy Transfer, Electricity |
P1 Forces |
P3 Light & Sound |
B9 Photosynthesis |
C2 Diffusion & Separation |
C5 Chemical Reactions 1 |
P5 Motion |
B3 Reproduction |
P9 Heat & Insulation |
B8 Genetics & Evolution |
C3 Acids & Alkalis |
B5 Health |
Maths Skills |
P2 Space |
C8 Materials |
Scientific Skills |
B6 Ecosystems |
P8 Pressure |
Astronomy & Space |
C6 Earth & Atmosphere |
P6 Electrical Circuits & Magnetism |
Careers in Science |
KS4 Curriculum
We operate a two year KS4 with students having 11 lessons per fortnight of Science. We have one group studying AQA Separate Sciences and six groups studying for AQA Combined Science GCSEs. Where possible students are taught by specialists in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There are 7 teaching groups banded in to Higher and Foundation tier classes.
We follow the AQA specifications at KS4.
Students are assessed throughout every unit of study, with a formative assessment for each as well as up to three summative assessments.
Students are taught Paper 1 content primarily in Year 10 and Paper 2 content towards the end of Year 10 and in Year 11 (see information below).
Combined Science |
Separate Sciences |
2 GCSES |
3 GCSES |
AQA Combined Science (8464) |
AQA Biology (8461) |
|
AQA Chemistry (8462) |
|
AQA Physics (8463) |
6 exam papers |
6 exam papers |
1 hour 15 minutes per paper |
1 hour 45 minutes |
11 hours of Science per fortnight |
11 hours of Science per fortnight |
Combined Science |
Separate Sciences |
21 equations to recall and use |
23 equations to recall and use |
7 equations they can select from the Physics data sheet and apply |
12 equations they can select from the Physics data sheet and apply |
Biology
|
Combined Science |
Separate Sciences |
Paper 1 Content |
Cell Biology, Organisation, Infection & Response, Bioenergetics |
Cell Biology, Organisation, Infection & Response, Bioenergetics |
Paper 2 Content |
Homeostasis & Response, Inheritance, Variation & Evolution, Ecology |
Homeostasis & Response, Inheritance, Variation & Evolution, Ecology |
Available marks per paper |
70 marks |
100 marks |
% of the GCSE |
Each paper worth 16.7% |
Each paper worth 50% |
Type of questions featured in exam papers |
multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
Tier of entry |
Higher or foundation |
Higher only |
Chemistry
|
Combined Science |
Separate Sciences |
Paper 1 Content |
Atomic Structure & Periodic Table, Bonding, Structure & Properties of Matter, Quantitative Chemistry, Chemical Changes, Energy Changes |
Atomic Structure & Periodic Table, Bonding, Structure & Properties of Matter, Quantitative Chemistry, Chemical Changes, Energy Changes |
Paper 2 Content |
Rate & Extent of Chemical Change, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Analysis, Chemistry of the Atmosphere, Using Resources |
Rate & Extent of Chemical Change, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Analysis, Chemistry of the Atmosphere, Using Resources |
Available marks per paper |
70 marks |
100 marks |
% of the GCSE |
Each paper worth 16.7% |
Each paper worth 50% |
Type of questions featured in exam papers |
multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
Tier of entry |
Higher or foundation |
Higher only |
Physics
|
Combined Science |
Separate Sciences |
Paper 1 Content |
Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Structure |
Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Structure |
Paper 2 Content |
Forces, Waves, Magnetism & Electromagnetism |
Forces, Waves, Magnetism & Electromagnetism, Space Physics |
Available marks per paper |
70 marks |
100 marks |
% of the GCSE |
Each paper worth 16.7% |
Each paper worth 50% |
Type of questions featured in exam papers |
multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response |
Tier of entry |
Higher or foundation |
Higher only |
As a department we run successful Science clubs in Years 7 and 8.
We offer a wealth of enrichment opportunities including overseas trips to Iceland and Geneva. Year 7/8 Science Clubs have the opportunity to travel to London to visit the Natural History and Science museums. Year 9 are offered a Saturday day trip to Birmingham Big Bang Fair and Year 10 can choose to attend Science Live events in Manchester.
Members of the department are involved in the American Ski Trip, Staff Choir, Lego – Future Engineers, Salter’s Chemistry Festival, Ogden Trust Physics Olympics and Hockey.
Year 7 Solar System Work - March 2021
As NASA's rover has been exploring Mars our Year 7 students have been very busy exploring all the planets in our Solar system.
Please select the images below to see some examples of their work.
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.
Magnificent Magnetics!
Year 7 Pollination Homework
Year 8 Chemistry Homework
Year 7 Creative Cell Work
Model Cells
These amazing pieces of work are completed by 7x/sc2. Model cells made from everything, including cake
Year 7 Fabulous Model Cell Homework