Science
At Park Academy West London, the Science curriculum is designed to foster a curiosity about the world around us, enable citizens of the future to understand and explore the world effectively and to be able to use scientific principles to both answer and ask questions about the universe and everything in it.
Our intent is that our curriculum
- inspires a love of learning and curiosity about the world
- ensures students can understand the scientific method and can apply this process to questions they might ask
- develops the practical knowledge and skills to use scientific equipment safely and accurately to competently test ideas and demonstrate phenomena
- fosters a sense of awe in the beauty of our universe and how we can work together (or individually) to deepen our understanding of ANYTHING
- develops analytical skills to scrutinise data presented in any format to draw out meaning
- combines basic Maths and English skills in context to help students develop their application skills
- informs students of issues facing themselves and the wider world to help this future generation look after themselves and their planet
- ensures students leave PA able to critically analyse and evaluate data, stories and phenomena in everyday situations
- improves transferable and future skills such as time-keeping, teamwork, organisation, communication, collaboration, productivity and accountability
- develops students learning skills and independence so they can go on to be life-long learners
- makes students more employable so they become a self-sufficient and productive member of society
- helps students develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills
- teaches students how to be safe and evaluate risks in everyday life and in particular scientific contexts
Key Stage 3 – Year 7, 8 & 9
The purpose of our science curriculum is to develop our students’ scientific understanding so they can be scientifically informed citizens and, if they wish, pursue careers in science, or in careers that require some scientific understanding. To be scientifically informed requires a broad knowledge of scientific ideas, an appreciation of how experimentation and observation develop this knowledge, and an ability to think rationally and analytically when applying this knowledge in new contexts.
The planning of KS3 Science curriculum at Park Academy ensures that students learn every aspect of the National Curriculum, including additional content that supports this coverage. Topics are sequenced to introduce knowledge and new ideas in a way that begins with the simplest and builds to the more complex ones. Students work towards mastery with prior knowledge reviews threaded throughout all topics with concepts and skills revisited, built upon, and developed in new contexts. We have high expectations for all our students, so there is no difference in their learning outcomes because our lessons are adapted to suit the needs of any ability class. Practical lessons are integral to learning science, therefore students are able to develop theoretical understanding and practical skills through enquiry-based learning. We can guarantee that students can see themselves in our curriculum through a diverse range of names, images and STEM practitioners of all backgrounds taking students beyond their immediate experiences. This ensures our students gain positive school science experiences as they explore various spiritual, moral, social and cultural significant questions intended to spark curiosity and nourish both their heads and their hearts.
Key Stage 4 – Year 10 & 11
All students will follow the combined science course and achieve two GCSEs. Over the two years, students will cover a broad range of topics from all three sciences and learn how to apply their knowledge to a range of practical situations. The topics include:
| Biology | Chemistry | Physics |
| · Cell biology
· Organisation · Infection and response · Bioenergetics · Homeostasis and response · Inheritance, variation and evolution · Ecology
|
· Atomic structure and the periodic table
· Bonding, structure and the properties of matter · Quantitative chemistry · Chemical changes · Energy changes · The rate and extent of chemical change · Organic chemistry · Chemical analysis · Chemistry of the atmosphere · Using resources |
· Energy
· Electricity · Particle model of matter · Atomic structure · Forces · Waves · Magnetism and electromagnetism
|
AQA GSCE Combined Science: Trilogy
Paper 1: Biology externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 2: Biology externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 3: Chemistry externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 4: Chemistry externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 5: Physics externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Paper 6: Physics externally assessed exam – Higher and foundation tiers (1 hour 15 minutes)
Key Stage 5
GCE AQA Advanced Level Biology
Paper 1: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (35%)
Biological molecules; cells; organisms exchange substances with their environment; genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms and relevant practical skills
Paper 2: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (35%)
Energy transfers in and between organisms; organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments; genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems; the control of gene expression and relevant practical skills
Paper 3: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (30%)
All content and practical skills (2 hour exam) (30%)
GCE AQA A Level Chemistry
Paper 1: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (35%)
Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry (2 hour exam) (35%)
Paper 2: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (35%)
Physical Chemistry and organic Chemistry (2 hour exam) (35%)
Paper 3: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (30%)
All content and practical skills (2 hour exam) (30%)
GCE AQA A Level Physics
Paper 1: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (34%)
Section 1 to 5 and 6.1 (periodic motion)
Paper 2: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (34%)
Section 6.2 (Thermal Physics), 7 and 8
Paper 3: Externally assessed exam (2 hours) (32%)
Section A Compulsory section: Practical skills and data analysis. Section B: Student’s enter for one of sections 9/10/11/12 or 13
WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science
Medical Science is the science of dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of diseases. The Level 3 Certificate in Medical Science is for learners who are interested in careers related to healthcare and medical research.
Unit 1: Externally assessed exam (2 hours)
Human health & disease
Unit 2: Internally assessed coursework: Psychological measurement techniques
Unit 3: Internally assessed coursework: Medical science research methods
Unit 4: Internally assessed coursework: Medicines and treatment of diseases
Unit 5: Externally assessed controlled assessment: clinical laboratory techniques
Unit 6: Externally assessed exam (1 hour 30 minutes) – Medical case study (case study available 4 weeks before exam)
Curriculum Maps