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.