Notre Dame School Logo
Home / Learn With Us / Curriculum / Science
Subject Lead– Science
Mr T Rebhan

Science is a dynamic and evolving discipline that seeks to understand the natural world through observation, experimentation, and analysis. It provides a foundation for developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. In a Catholic school, our approach to science is enriched by our faith, which emphasises the harmony between scientific inquiry and spiritual understanding. We encourage students to explore scientific concepts while reflecting on the ethical and moral implications of scientific advancements, fostering a holistic view of the world.

 
 

Key Stage 3

We deliver the Secondary Science Framework, including How Science Works, which puts the pupils learning in context and encourages them to evaluate the impact of developments on society.  Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.  They are encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

In Year 7 and 8 all students follow  part of our KS3 curriculum embedding core concepts and skills in preparation for year 9 and KS4.  

Year 7

Biology:

  • Cells
  • Human Body
  • Reproduction


Chemistry:

  • Particles and their behaviour
  • Elements, atoms and compounds
  • Chemical reactions
  • Acids and alkalis


Physics:

  • Forces
  • Sound
  • Light
  • Space


Year 8

Biology:

  • Health and lifestyle
  • Biological processes
  • Ecosystems and Adaptation
  • Inheritance

Chemistry:

  • The periodic table
  • Separation techniques
  • Metals and other materials
  • The Earth

Physics:

  • Electricity and magnetism
  • Energy
  • Motion and pressure


Year 9

Biology:
  • Cells structure and organisation
  • Communicable disease
  • Non communicable diseases
  • Transport processes
  • Respiration
  • Digestion and enzymes


Chemistry:

  • Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
  • Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter
  • Introduction to quantitative chemistry

Physics:

  • Energy
  • Particle model
  • Radioactivity

Pupils are taught all 3 Science disciplines by the Science staff. We also have a weekly extra-curricular Science Club for KS3 students which includes fun and often messy experiments which is ran by teachers and KS5 scientists! 


Key Stage 4

We follow the AQA suite of GCSE Sciences, offering GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics to one set of pupils where they will gain a grade for each subject at the end of Year 11.  The rest of the year group complete the GCSE Trilogy Science, which is a combination of all 3 science disciplines.  The course consists of an equal split of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, all of which will be examined on at the end of Year 11 and will result in your child gaining two GCSE Science grades e.g. 7-7, 5-4

There are 24 topics (25 for the triple scientists) which we commence at the start of Year 10 and finish in Year 11. 

GCSE Biology

  1.  Cell biology

  2.  Organisation

  3.  Infection and response

  4.  Bioenergetics

  5.  Homeostasis and response

  6.  Inheritance, variation and evolution

  7.  Ecology

GCSE Chemistry

  1.  Atomic structure and the periodic table

  2.  Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter

  3.  Quantitative chemistry

  4.  Chemical changes

  5.  Energy changes

  6.  The rate and extent of chemical change

  7.  Organic chemistry

  8.  Chemical analysis

  9.  Chemistry of the atmosphere

  10.  Using resources

GCSE Physics

  1.  Energy

  2.  Electricity

  3.  Particle model of matter

  4.  Atomic structure

  5.  Forces

  6.  Waves

  7.  Magnetism and electromagnetism

  8.  Space physics (GCSE only)

 

15% of each GCSE will consist of practical skills, which will assess your child’s understanding of required practicals we complete over the KS4.  There is a weighting for mathematical ability, which is also examined, with 10% of Biology, 20% Chemistry and 30% Physics.

We do hold regular summative tests across each science discipline and these will be scattered throughout the year.  There will be a mock exam at the end of Year 10 (towards June) and multiple in year 11 prior to their final examinations. We also have an end of year test for each year group each year. 

We would ask that you continue to encourage your child to review the materials covered on a regular basis and sell revision guides and flashcards to support this. Good websites to use include:

www.my-gcsescience.com

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/ 

www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse

www.bbc.com/bitesize/levels/z98jmp3

Please also encourage your child to ask for help if they come across an area where they are not as confident, all of her teachers will be willing to support them.


 

Key Stage 5

We offer traditional A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  All qualifications are offered by the OCR (A) examination board.