Science at KES KS3

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Science at KESKS3 KS4 Courses

• KES Science Department

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KES Science Department

• Teaching Staff
• Mr R Screen Head of Department/Chemistry
• Mr L Ware Deputy Head of Science
• Mr M Bradley Head of Physics
• Mr S Ibbitson Head of Biology
• Mrs D Chilton Key Stage 3 Co-Ordinator
• Mr J Crowle Vocational Science Co-Ordinator
• Mr J Astwick Mrs L McFarlane Mr M Mallett
• Mrs S Wells Mrs J Coates Mr S Levine
• Technicians
• Mrs M Dyson Senior Technician
• Mrs C Cooper Mrs J Davis Mrs C Tansley

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Science at KES

• Science is a compulsory subject for all students
  at both KS3 and KS4
• In KS3 (Years 7-9) all pupils have three science
  lessons each week. This course prepares for the
  SATs exam at the end of KS3.
• In KS 4 (Years 10-11) most pupils have five
  science lessons each week. This leads in Year 10
  to a Core Science GCSE course, whilst in Year 11
  students do either an Additional Science GCSE or
  Additional Applied Science GCSE.
• Some students opt to do Extra Science in Years 10
  11. These students do seven periods of Science
  a week leading to separate GCSEs in Biology,
  Chemistry and Physics.

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The KS3 Science Course

• The course has been developed in school and is
  based on the principles and content of the
  National Strategy for KS3 from QCA. It covers all
  the 36 modules outlined in the QCA scheme of
  work. (www.qca.org.uk)
• Students study topics in physics, chemistry,
  biology and geology over the three years of the
  course which combine together to produce a
  balanced science course.

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How is student progress assessed in the KS3
science course?

• Work is continually assessed throughout the
  course.
• This assessment is part of normal lessons and
  homework and will include assessing thinking
  skills, practical skills, problem solving and
  subject knowledge.
• From time to time there will be more formal
  milestone assessments of the work covered to
  enable students, parents and the school to be
  able to compare progress towards individual
  students target grades.
• These formal assessments take the place of
  traditional exams and happen five times a year in
  years 7 8 and three times in Year 9.
• The results of these assessments are used to
  determine the setting for science groups which
  takes place in years 8 9. (In year 7 pupils are
  taught in mixed ability form groups.)

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What do I need for the KS3 Science course?

• For each of the first three years, students are
  provided with a coursework book which takes the
  place of a traditional text book. This contains
  all the essential subject knowledge, together
  with a variety of questions and problems to
  reinforce and extend the work covered
• Students also have an exercise book in which they
  can use to make a record of the additional work
  they have covered in lessons.
• It is helpful if students can bring essential
  writing equipment (pen, pencil ruler) and a
  calculator to all science lessons

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The final KS3 SATs Exams

• These are taken in May of year 9
• There are two written exams and a teacher
  assessment
• There are two levels of entry
• levels 5-7 levels 3-6
• A students prior performance will determine the
  level a student is entered for
• Optional after-school revision classes are run in
  science on the run in to the final exams for
  those students who wish to attend.

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The Year 10 Core Science Course

• Exam Board AQA Syllabus Number 4411
• Most students follow this course in years 10. It
  leads to a GCSE in Core Science.
• The course is made up of six modules, (two
  biology, two physics and two chemistry),
  examined by objective style tests held in
  November, March June of Year 10. Each module
  makes up 12.5 of the final marks. Students also
  complete an Individual Skills Assessment (ISA)
  which makes up the final 25 of the marks.
• Students have five science lessons every week,
  one of which is a skills based lesson preparing
  for the ISA.
• Full details of this course including the full
  syllabus and past exam papers can be found at the
  following web sites.
• Course www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/sciencea.php
• Past Papers www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/newscience/e
  xtassess.php

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The Year 11 Additional Science GCSE Course

• Exam Board AQA Syllabus Number 4463
• This course is taken by Year 11 students who
  might wish to go on to take science subjects at
  A-Level or do a job involving science.
• Students take modules in Biology, Physics
  Chemistry which each make up 25 of the final
  marks. Another Individual Skills Assessment (ISA)
  makes up the final 25 of the marks.
• Each Module is examined by a structured question
  test taken in June of Year 11 (3x45min exams).
  The ISA is completed in normal lesson time.
• Students have five lesson a week, one of which is
  a skills based lesson which prepares for the ISA.
• Full details of this course and past papers can
  be obtained from the following web sites
• Syllabus www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/newscience/adsci
  ence.php
• Past Papers www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/newscience/ex
  tassess.php

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The Year 11 Additional Applied Science GCSE Course

• Syllabus AQA Syllabus Number 4863
• This is a vocational GCSE course designed for
  those students who will not be taking A-Levels in
  science based subjects and who are unlikely to do
  a job which has a scientific background. Is has
  less emphasis on written exams but includes a
  portfolio of coursework in the final assessment.
• Topics covered include Forensic Science, Sports
  Science Food Science. These are examined in a
  written exam taken in June and worth 40 of final
  marks
• There is a laboratory based coursework
  investigation worth 40 of final marks and a
  Science in the Workplace Report which is worth
  20 of the final marks.
• Full details of this course can be obtained from
  the following web sites
• Course www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/newscience/adappsc
  ience.php
• Exam www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/newscience/extasses
  s/php

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Year 10 11 GCSE courses in Biology, Physics
Chemistry

• This course is followed by students who opt for
  Extra Science in Years 10 11.
• Exam Syllabii Biology AQA 4411
• Chemistry AQA 4421
• Physics AQA 4451
• Students have 2 lessons of each science subject
  and a skills lesson per week.
• Asessment
• 2 multiple-choice exams per subject taken in
  Year 10 25
• 2 structured exams per subject taken in year
  11 50
• An Individual Skills Asessment (ISA) per
  subject 25
• Further details about these courses can be
  obtained from the following web sites
• Syllabus Biology www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/newscien
  ce/biology.php
• Chemistry www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/newscience/ch
  emistry.php
• Physics www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/newscience/phys
  ics.php

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What do I need for the KS4 Science Courses?

• Students are provided with a coursework book for
  all courses. These replace the traditional text
  book and contain all the specific subject content
  required for each course. The students can
  annotate these books during the course to add
  additional information as they think fit.
• Students will also be provided with an exercise
  book to record work done in lessons or as part of
  homework.
• Students require the usual writing equipment
  together with a calculator.