Science

Students will develop a love of Science and an inquisitive mind: the goal is to inspire a life-long curiosity about the world around them, as well as the wider Universe. At Key Stage 3, students will secure their understanding of key scientific phenomena and theories and hone their scientific skills, through extensive practical investigation. This will allow them to plan, perform and analyse experiments. Through research and debate, students are supported to form balanced opinions about a range of controversial modern scientific issues and encouraged to critically analyse sources of information that could be misleading or biased.

All students study Science at GCSE.

GCSE Combined Science students will build on their understanding of key scientific phenomena and theories in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, learning how these theories have changed and developed over time. They will learn how Science contributes to every aspect of our lives, from understanding how drugs trials are conducted and sewage is cleaned, to how metal is extracted and fibre optics work. GCSE Combined Science encourages students to evaluate controversial scientific scenarios and form balanced opinions on such topics as the use of genetic modification, stem cell research and the use of nuclear power. Students will continue to develop their scientific skills through challenging and extensive practical investigations and learn to critically analyse experimental practice and data.

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At GCSE, Biology students follow a broad curriculum ranging from human physiology of the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain and eyes to genetics and cloning.  GCSE Biology encourages students to evaluate controversial scientific scenarios and form balanced opinions on such topics as the use of genetic modification, stem cell research, cloning and sustainable food production. Students will continue to develop their scientific skills through challenging and extensive practical investigations, learning to critically analyse experimental practice and data.

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GCSE Chemistry students will develop a deep understanding of the periodic table and the rules of mass and reactivity that govern it. They will learn how to conduct a range of experiments including electrolysis and titrations and apply Chemical theories to real life contexts such as: how to make plastics, fertilisers and batteries, how to extract metals and the detrimental effect of fossil fuel combustion. Students will continue to develop their scientific skills through challenging and extensive practical investigations, learning to analyse critically experimental practice and data.

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GCSE Physics students will learn how Physics affects every aspect of our lives, from using radiation for cancer treatment, the use of ultrasound to detect enemy submarines to the use of electromagnets in motors. GCSE Physics students will build on their understanding of a broad range of key Physics phenomena including electricity, waves, energy, forces and space. Students will continue to develop their scientific skills through challenging and extensive practical investigations and learn to analyse critically experimental practice and data.

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