Department: Science
Head of Department: Dr M Dixon
If you wish to learn more about the curriculum, please contact the Head of Department by email: m.dixon@oaklandscatholicschool.org
For information on a specific subject area (particularly for A level courses) please contact:
Mr Charig (Biology) m.charig@oaklandscatholicschool.org
Mrs Lenton (Chemistry) h.lenton@oaklandscatholicschool.org
Mr Barratt (Physics) r.barratt@oaklandscatholicschool.org
Curriculum Content
Years 7-9
We follow the KS3 National Curriculum for Science. A Key Stage 3 Study Guide is available from the Finance Office (and online).
Year 7
| Term 1 | An introduction to Science |
| Term 2 | The particle model, heating and cooling, cells and separating mixtures. |
| Term 3 | Energy transfers, the skeletal and nervous systems, elements, electricity (charge and current), reproduction. |
Year 8
| Term 1 | Photosynthesis, heating and cooling, energy transfer and types of reaction. |
| Term 2 | The nervous system, sound, the breathing and circulatory systems, acids and alkalis, respiration and excretion and light. |
| Term 3 | Reproduction, electricity (resistance and potential difference), variation, inheritance and evolution, interdependence, Earth structure and the Universe. |
*We are in transition between two routes through KS3, therefore topics that you may see under Year 7 are not actually being repeated in Year 8. Students are following different routes.
Year 9
| Term 1 | Adaptations, interdependence, and competition, Atomic structure, Conservation and dissipation of energy, Organising an ecosystem. |
| Term 2 | The Periodic table, Energy transfer by heating, Biodiversity and ecosystems, The Earth’s atmosphere. |
| Term 3 | Cell structure and transport, Energy resources, Maths skills for GCSE Science. |
GCSEs – Current Year 10
Exam Board: AQA
Exam board specification web-links:
Combined Science: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464
Biology: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461
Chemistry: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462
Physics: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463
All students will study either Combined (Double) Science or Triple Science, both options are suitable for students wishing to study science subjects at AS/A2 level. Students have on-line access to the relevant text books through Kerboodle: www.kerboodle.com
Year 10 Topics
| Term 1 | · Cell division, Organisation and the digestive system, Structure and bonding, Chemical calculations. · Organising animals and plants, Communicable diseases, Chemical changes, Electrolysis |
| Term 2 | · Preventing and treating disease, Non-communicable diseases, Energy changes, Electric circuits · Photosynthesis, Respiration, Electricity in the home, Molecules and matter. |
| Term 3 | · The human nervous system, Hormonal coordination, Radioactivity, Rates and equilibrium |
Triple Science
Students will begin by being taught the additional content for the topics done in Year 9 followed by that for the topics listed above (all clearly identified in Kerboodle). They will then complete the extra topics of Force and pressure, Light and Space.
GCSEs – Current Year 11
Exam Board: AQA
Exam board specification web-links:
Combined Science: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464
Biology: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461
Chemistry: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462
Physics: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463
All students will study either Combined (Double) Science or Triple Science, both options are suitable for students wishing to study science subjects at AS/A2 level. Students have on-line access to the relevant text books through Kerboodle: www.kerboodle.com
Year 11 Topics
| Term 1 | The human nervous system, Hormonal coordination, Homeostasis in action, Rates and equilibrium, Crude oil and fuels, Organic reactions & Polymers, Chemical analysis, The Earth’s resources, Using our resources, Forces in balance, Motion, Force and motion, Force and pressure. |
| Term 2 | Reproduction, Variation and evolution, Genetics and evolution, Adaptations, interdependence, and competition, Wave properties, Electromagnetic waves, Light, Electromagnetism, Space. |
| Term 3 | Examinations techniques and revision. |
Note: Triple Science topics only. Other topics may contain some Triple only sections, these are clearly marked in the Triple Science Text books and are not found in the Combined Science text books.
A level Biology
Exam Board: Edexcel
Exam Board specification weblink: http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/biology-a-2015.html
Year 12 Topics
Lifestyle, health and risk linked to cardiovascular disease and how the risks can be reduced. Genes and health linked to an understanding of the inheritance and cause of cystic fibrosis. Voice of the genome linked to the cell cycle, control of development and the interaction between genes and the environment. Biodiversity and natural resources linked to evolution, adaptation and biodiversity.
Year 13 Topics
On the wild side linked to ecosystems and the effect of climate change. Infection, immunity and disease linked to forensic biology, causes of death with case studies of TB and HIV/AIDS. Run for your life linked to respiration, energy production, maximising performance during exercise and the effects of over-exercise. Grey matter linked to the development and operation of the nervous system, learning and memory.
A level Chemistry
Exam Board: AQA
Exam Board specification weblink: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/chemistry-7404-7405
Year 12 Topics
Atomic structure, Amount of substance, Bonding, The Periodic table, Introduction to organic chemistry, The alkanes, Energetics, Kinetics, Equilibria, Redox reactions, Group 2, the alkaline earth metals, Group 7 (17), the halogens, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols, Analytical techniques
Year 13 Topics
Thermodynamics, Rate equations, Equilibrium constants, Acids and bases, Optical isomerism, Aldehydes and ketones, Carboxylic acids and derivatives, Aromatic chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino acids, proteins and DNA, Organic synthesis, NMR and chromatography, Electrochemical cells, Period 3 elements and aqueous chemistry of inorganic ions, Transition metals
A level Physics
Exam Board: AQA
Exam Board specification weblink: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408
Year 12 Topics
Matter and radiation, Quarks and leptons, Quantum phenomena, Electric current, Direct current circuits, Alternating circuits, Forces in equilibrium, On the move, Motion and force, Work, energy and power, Materials, Waves, Optics
Year 13 Topics
Circular motion, Oscillation, Thermal physics, Gravity, Electric fields, Capacitance, Magnetic fields, Electromagnetic induction and alternating current, Radioactivity, Nuclear energy, Turning points in physics
We also offer BTEC Applied Science at the Sixth Form
