Science Department - an introduction

Years 7 and 8
The sciences are taught in form groups as separate disciplines i.e Chemistry, Physics and Biology for one hour per week for each of the sciences in years 7 and 8 and one and a half hours per week in Year 9. Each science is taught by graduate specialists. A large emphasis is placed on practical work following the National Curriculum guidelines.

Years 10 and 11
Science is a core subject at King Edward's; all pupils study the three sciences up to age 16. Each of the three sciences is, again, taught by graduate specialists having two hours per week per subject. The majority of our pupils will take GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science where two separate grades will be awarded.

Our more able pupils will take the Triple Award i.e three separate GCSE grades. They are selected largely on the basis of their Year 8 and Year 9 results, together with a discussion with Year 9 subject teachers. This is still covered in the same time allocation as above. In this case, additional material has be to studied for each of the sciences leading to a separate GCSE grade in each of the sciences.

Year 8 Trip to the Natural History Museum Tues 28 Feb

The Geography and Biology departments will be running a joint trip to the Natural History Museum in London on the 28^th February this year.

 

We will be spending the day there looking at the Geographical and Biological displays, as well as taking the opportunity to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

 

Depart KES                  7.30 am: lower entrance

Return KES                   8.00 pm: lower entrance

 

Pupil selected to attend Cambridge University Senior Physics Challenge Summer 2010

 

The Physics Department were delighted to learn that Oli Schofield, Year 12, was invited to attend the Senior Physics Challenge at Cambridge Physics Summer School.

The Senior Physics Challenge is a residential summer school where pupils receive intensive tuition designed to emphasise problem solving and experimental skills.

 

Year 8 visit Techniquest, Cardiff

The Chemistry Department is taking the whole of Year 8 to visit Techniquest in Cardiff on Thursday 12^th November. During this week the centre is putting on a series of lectures and demonstrations entitled ‘The Magic of Chemistry.’

The event demonstrates work already covered from the Year 7 syllabus on changes of state. In addition, work to be covered in future Year 8 lessons will also be demonstrated, namely exothermic reactions and elements, mixtures and compounds. The event is geared towards Key Stage Three, that is Years 7 to 9, and is an ideal opportunity to see a series of demonstrations and lectures covering some of the Year 7 and 8 work.

 

Biology Department

The department has excellent teaching facilities, with four well-equipped laboratories, two of them recently opened.

Lower School
Teaching in the department follows Key Stage Three, and aims to introduce pupils to the subject. Where possible, the stress is on gaining practical skills in the subject.

Year 7
Introduction to Biology
Cells and Microscopes
Human and Animal Reproduction
Animal Classification; Variation and Evolution
Ecology: Adaptation and Environment
Food chains and Feeding relationships

Year 8
Food and Digestion
Respiration and Energy
Oxygen and the Lungs
Blood and Circulation
Microbes and Disease
Classification of Green Plants
Ecological relationships

Year 9
Variation and Selection
Fitness and Health: Drugs, smoking and alcohol; muscles, joints and the skeleton
Photosynthesis
Products from plants: Food and agriculture

Year 10
Response to the environment
The Body and Health
Medical and recreational drugs
Defense against infection
Plant and animal breeding
Evolution
Ecology: what lives where and why
Human effects on the environment

Year 11
Cells
Movement in and out of Cells
Photosynthesis
Food Chains and Nutrient Cycles
Enzymes and respiration
Homeostasis
Inheritance

The Sixth Form
A large number of students choose to follow Biology to AS- level and A-level.

Pupils undertake a wide range of practical work. Ecology is covered on a week-long residential field course at the end on Year 12.

Year 12 (AS LEVEL)
Biochemistry and Enzymes
Cell Structure and Function
Tissues and Organs
DNA and the Gene
Genetic Engineering
Ecology

Year 13 (A2)
Respiration and Photosynthesis
Physiology of Plants and Animals
Genetics and Evolution