Years 7 to 9
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.

Each pupil is given a text book. The text books used are: Year 7 Spectrum Science, Cambridge University Press and for Year 8 and 8 we use the Heinemann Science Scheme.

Although we cover all of the work for key stage 3 (end of Year 9) we do not enter our pupils for these tests.

Years 10 and 11 (AQA)

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.

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

In the Chemistry Department we aim to maintain and stimulate student curiosity, interest and enjoyment in chemistry. We help students to become familiar with a body of scientific knowledge, principles and vocabulary and appreciate the role and relevance of chemistry in everyday society. In order to do this we draw on both traditional and innovative teaching methods. We are committed to practical work, but also integrate ICT into students’ lessons.

The department consists of three laboratories, all fully equipped to allow the teaching of chemistry to GCE A-level. Two laboratories have SmartBoards. One of the laboratories is fully networked and equipped with six PC’s and six laptops acting as the ICT centre for the Chemistry Department.

Two technicians (one part-time) service the laboratories from the fully equipped prep-room.

Year 7 to Year 9 

Year 7

¨       Acids and alkalis; indicators, pH scale and neutralisation.

¨       Simple chemical reactions; reactions of acids and combustion.

¨       Particle model; solids, liquids and gases.

¨       Solutions; separation of substances, filtration, distillation, chromatography, temperature and solubility.

Year 8

¨       Atoms and elements; finding out about elements, the Periodic Table, writing chemical formulae and word equations.

¨       Compounds and mixture; properties of elements, compounds and mixtures, chemical reactions and writing chemical equations.

¨       Rocks and weathering: what rocks are made of, weathering of rocks, transportation and erosion

¨       The rock cycle; sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks. 

The whole of year 8 attend the ‘Magic of Chemistry’ lecture at Techniquest in Cardiff. There is plenty of time for the pupils to look around and use the interactive exhibitions.

Year 9

¨       Reactions of metals and metal compounds.

¨       Patterns of reactivity, metal reactivity.

¨       Environmental chemistry.

¨       Using chemistry, fuels, conservation of mass.

Year 10 Science (Chemistry)

Topics covered;

Products from rocks, including rocks and building, rocks and metal, crude oil. Oil, earth and atmosphere including products from oil, plant oils, the changing world.

Year 11

Additional Chemistry

Topics covered;

Structures and bonding, structures and properties, reacting masses, rates of reaction, energy and reactions, electrolysis and acids, alkalis and salts.

Further chemistry (Triple Award only)

Topics covered;

Periodic table, acids and bases, water, energy calculations and analysis.

Sixth Form

The gap between GCSE and A2 study is quite considerable. Each student is, therefore, expected to do a certain amount of preparation before the commencement of Year 12. This will be done via worksheets given out during the Pre-Sixth Form Course in June. This initial work concentrates on the overlap between GCSE and AS material.

A grade B in Chemistry or BB for Double Award Science at GCSE is the minimum requirement in order to start AS chemistry. Students should also be reasonably numerate and have good spatial awareness.

Besides being a useful subject in its own right, Chemistry is a very good support for Physics and, in particular, Biology.

Chemistry is a popular, and indeed a successful, choice at A-level with the majority of students leaving with grades A or B. Beyond the sixth form there is a strong tradition of student entry for medicine, dentistry and veterinary sciences, where A-level chemistry is a key requirement. 

Year 12

AS Chemistry (OCR    3882)

Method of Assessment

Assessment is by means of three units of assessment

The assessment of the various skills takes place throughout the whole of the AS course.

The AS forms 50% of the assessment weighting of the full A Level (A2)

Students will be prepared for the Foundation Chemistry paper (2811) during the Autumn Term of Year 12 and entered for the January examination.

Year 13

Chemistry (OCR 7882)

Method of Assessment

Candidates study a further three units of assessment. There are optional units in A2.

The choice of option will largely depend on the composition of the teaching groups but it is usual for those studying Biology to take the Biochemistry module. Those not studying Biology normally take Methods of Analysis and Detection, Environmental Chemistry or Further Transition Metals

The assessment of the various skills takes place throughout the whole of the A2 course.

The questions for all of the theory papers have a common format. They contain both structured questions and questions which require more extended answers. All questions are compulsory.

Students will be prepared for the Chains, Rings and Spectroscopy paper (2814) during the autumn term of Year 13 and entered for the January examination.

All year 13 students visit Bristol University Chemistry Department in order to see some of the modern spectroscopic techniques that have been introduced to the syllabus. This gives them the opportunity to see, first hand, spectrometers not affordable in school laboratories.

The syllabus aims to provide a secure foundation for those who will study Chemistry at University or will follow higher education courses for which Chemistry at A2 Level is a requirement. The subject is fairly precise and is an excellent introduction to the scientific method and the use of evidence. It requires and develops the sort of mind that can not only assimilate facts and understand basic principles but also use them in a variety of novel situations.

The aim of the department is to teach Physics in an enjoyable and stimulating way with the use of appropriate practical work to support theory and to produce good examination results.

If you would like to check out the website created by the Physics Department for more information click here

The department has three well equipped labs, Q21- Q23, based around a central prep room. 

A variety of teaching techniques are used to deliver the material including class experiments, teacher demonstrations, teacher explanations / discussions, the use of IT and the occasional video.

Recently the Physics department have run a trip for the sixth form to Geneva to visit CERN to explore the particle work of the A level course.  This has proved an informative and enjoyable visit.

Year 7 to 8

Physics is taught in a single 1 hour lesson each week by a specialist physics teacher in a laboratory.

Year 7

Measurement

Energy –types of energy, conservation of energy, renewable energy resources.

Static electricity –including use of the Van der Graff generator!

Electrical circuits –series and parallel circuits and applications to quiz board and theatre lighting.

The solar system and beyond

Year 8

Density –including sinking and floating.

Magnetism – Plotting magnetic fields, making and destroying magnets, strength of an electromagnet experiment

Light –light travels in straight lines (pinhole camera) , reflection, refraction, lenses, the eye. Colour.

Sound and waves – Sound as a vibration, speed of sound, longitudinal and transverse waves.

Year 9

Physics is taught in three one hour lessons over a two week period by a specialist in a Physics Laboratory.

Pressure –calculations and explanations of high pressure being useful etc,  liquid pressure, atmospheric pressure including uses and problems.

Moments –Calculations including supported beams, centre of gravity, levers, stability.

Electronics –logic gates, SR bistable.

Light  -Total internal reflection and uses.

Motion – Speed and distance-time graphs and simple calculations.

Energy –Conservation of energy, kinetic and potential equations.

Years 10 and 11

Physics is taught in 4 one hour lessons over a two week period either for a separate GCSE in Physics or GCSEs in Science and Additional Science. Practical skills are tested by the students undertaking a practical investigation set by the board and then sitting an externally set 45 minute question paper on the practical work undertaken. This is taken at an appropriate and convenient time. All students take units 1 and 2 and those taking the separate Physics qualifications also take a third unit.

Unit 1

Transfer of Heat Energy

Efficient use of Energy

Why are electrical devices so useful?

Generating electricity

Uses and hazards of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum

Uses and dangers of radioactive materials

The origins and future of the universe.

Unit 2

Forces

Momentum

Static electricity

Mains electricity

Decay of radioactive substances.

Unit 3

Turning effect of forces – stability

Circular motion

Centripetal force for planets and satellites

Mirrors and lenses

Transformers.

Unit 1 is tested with two multiple choice papers taken in March and June of year 10. The other units are tested by written papers in year 11. The course is modular so there will be opportunity to re-sit the year 10 modules.

Years 12 and 13 

The AQA B specification is followed.

Students need good ability in both Maths and Physics and should have a minimum of GCSE grade B in both. 

AS modules:

Module 1: Foundation Physics (35% = 105 marks)

Scalars and Vectors

Kinematics

Energy Concepts

Electricity

DC Circuits

Information and Communication 

Module 2:  Waves and Nuclear Physics (35% = 105 marks)

Waves

Diffraction and Interference

Spectra

Radioactivity

Physics of Particles

Information and Communication

Module3: Experimental Work  (30% = 90 marks)

This takes the form of a 2 hour practical exam.  There are two short half hour exercises and a longer one hour practical which will included plotting a graph from the results.

A2 Modules

Module 4:  Further Physics (90 marks)

Circular motion

Oscillations

Work and Energy

Molecular Kinetic Energy

Heating and Working

Capacitance and Exponential Decay

Momentum Concepts

Quantum Phenomena

Module 5:Fields and their Applications (120 marks)

Electric and Gravitational Fields

Magnetic Fields

Nuclear Energy

Particle Accelerators and Detectors

Module 5 also includes synoptic questions ie questions from all  areas of the course

Module 6: Experimental Work (90 marks)

This is very similar to the AS practical only all the exercises are longer, (2 x 45 minutes and one of one and a half hours).  The long practical usually includes the use of logarithms.

Enriched Curriculum 

The Physics Department run a trip for the Sixth Form to Geneva to visit CERN to explore the particle work of the A Level course. This has proved to be an informative and enjoyable visit.