Science

Our SCIENCE CURRICULUM

 Science ensures pupils leave with secure knowledge and understanding of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our curriculum is accessible to all and helps all who engage, gain an appreciation of how complex and diverse the world around them can be.  A love of learning is promoted throughout, and our pupils are encouraged to be the best scientist they can be.

At Coopers School, we believe that Science provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Pupils must realise that science has changed our lives and is vital to the world future prosperity and survival.

big ideas final e21c biology.pdf

 

big ideas final e21c chemistry.pdf

 

big ideas final e21c physics.pdf

 Coopers Values: Trust, RESPECT AND RESILIENCE

 In science we develop trust by:

• ensuring our young scientists become responsible citizens and become excellent safe workers in our laboratories.
• looking after our environment and resources.

 In science we develop respect by:

• looking after the environment for future generations.
• using all the resources carefully, ensuring energy is fully understood and then conserved.
• Practical work will be done by working together, listening to instructions and listening to all points of view.

  In science we develop resilience by:

• pupils will be able to adapt to difficult, challenging problem solving.
• work hard at solving longer 6-mark problems.
• Developing retrieval practice through the use of homework on Educake which offers regular chance to deepen knowledge and identify learning gaps

 WHOLE SCHOOL INTENT: INCLUSIVE

In science we ensure our curriculum is inclusive by: 

• Our curriculum is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that learners of all types can make progress. 

• allowing all pupils to access foundation and higher criteria. The final decision on tiers and will be taken in the final year of year 11.

 WHOLE SCHOOL INTENT: FOCUSED

It is focused because it divides into the key subject areas of biology, chemistry and physics, which are then further divided into key topics.  In science we identify powerful knowledge by identifying the key big ideas. These will continue to repeat and build over a 5-year programme.  All pupils will be taught the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. They will build up key knowledge and concepts, which will allow pupils to explain and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about the wonders of the world. Pupils will need to understand how science can be used to explain what is happening, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

By clearly identifying the powerful knowledge in each unit, teachers can ensure that their teaching and assessment is focused on the content that makes the biggest difference.  We share this with pupils and their families using Knowledge Organisers. These are valuable tools for revision and retrieval practice

WHOLE SCHOOL INTENT: SEQUENCED

In science we sequence our curriculum using big ideas. This means large areas of knowledge are broken into smaller chunks, with intervals of time between them, to improve pupil learning and recall.

All lessons are carefully sequenced and coherent to allow the building up of big ideas eg. Cells basic structure in year 7, then more detailed functions in year 10. This allows the key foundations of science to be taught and then built upon during a 5-year journey. 

Pupils follow the explorer science programme, which develops a deeper understanding of key scientific ideas in biology, chemistry and physics. Pupils should begin to see connections between the subject areas and become aware of the big ideas.  The science curriculum continues to build upon and deepen scientific knowledge and understanding of ideas by following Edexcel combined science.

WHOLE SCHOOL INTENT: COHERENT

In science we ensure our curriculum is coherent by the use of Big Ideas that underpin all the learning in our subject. Each lesson is linked to a Big Idea, shared with the pupils at the start of the lesson, so they can call on prior learning and understand where each lesson fits within our curriculum.

Our Big Ideas are:

Biology:

• Cells are alive
• Bodies are systems
• Organisms are inter-dependent
• Ecosystems recycle resources
• Characteristics are inherited
• Species show variation

 Chemistry:

• Structures determine properties 
• Reactions rearrange matter 
• Elements show trends in physical and chemical properties  
• Earth systems 

Physics:

• Forces predict motion 
• Fields produce forces 
• Energy is conserved 
• Electricity transfers energy 
• Radiation transfers energy 

 KS4 QUALIFICATIONS

Key stage 4 continues with the process of building upon and deepening scientific knowledge and understanding of ideas. Pupils follow Edexcel combined science or will be selected to take single science. They follow a programme.  

Year 10 - Pupils complete B1, C1 and P1 topics and their core practicals  

Year 11 - Pupils complete B2, C2 and P2 which incorporates a detailed revision programme, physics equations, core practicals and revision mock exam papers.