Science

Our key aim is to foster student's enthusiasm for learning about science. Through providing opportunities to engage in meaningful activities we give purpose and importance to Science. It is our intention that all students will leave understanding the ‘scientific method including how scientists work and how they use evidence to draw valid conclusions.

We endeavour to provide a firm foundation for further studies in Science as many of our students are opting to take Biology, Chemistry or Physics at A' level. We embraced the recent changes to the Key Stage Three Curriculum for Year 7 and believe they afford us the opportunity to make science more relevant to student's lives and use contemporary contexts.

Science and Engineering Club

This year we made a successful bid to join an exclusive group of schools who the Government has backed to set up an after school Science and Engineering Clubs. The aim of the club is to promote curiosity and interest by engaging the student's in activities which will challenge their knowledge in science, technology, engineering and maths. This is a project based, cross discipline approach, will increase the flexibility and personalisation of learning, and support the new KS3 curriculum. We look forward to recruiting students from KS3 and KS4 who show a genuine interest in Science, Technology, Maths and Engineering.

Field Studies Trips

Each year we run a Year 10 and 12 field studies trip where students are able to use a practical approach to investigating different phenomena surrounding river ecology. These trips are both fun and excellent preparation for the students' Practical Skills Assessment.

Key Stage Three Science

Transition - We were delighted at being invited to take part in a pilot project to aid transition in science between Key Stage 2 & 3. We will build on the work completed at Key Stage 2 which introduces students to the specific vocabulary required at Key Stage 3 and what constitutes a fair scientific test.

Students will be given the opportunity to consolidate their Key Stage 2 Science skills and begin to evaluate their work, and develop their skills in science further. We are also pleased to have a number of links with local primary schools, involving their pupils in number of activities designed to build enthusiasm for learning about science.

For example, we joined with Tolworth Juniors for a forensic science project and hosted a science challenge event, Great Eggspectations', to develop pupils collaborative science skills.

The New Curriculum - The new Key Stage Three curriculum is designed to make science more relevant to today's student's, promote a spirit of enquiry, and develop skills that are transferable into everyday life. The programme is divided into themes so that students are able to see purpose in their learning and therefore maximise their motivation. For example, the first unit uses a forensic science theme to foster enthusiasm for science and develop the student's investigative skills.

The program of study is designed to build on Key Stage Two content and skills and enable smooth progression to Key Stage Four so that student's can more easily achieve their potential at GCSE and beyond. The new curriculum will be phased in over three years starting with Year 7 in 2008/2009.

Click here to view the course overview.

Key Stage Four Science

At Southborough we follow the AQA GCSE specification and offer Additional Science or Triple Science Options. We are considering extending this portfolio in the coming years to include an Applied Science GCSE and other science GCSEs such as Astronomy and Geology.

Additional Science/Double Science

In year 10 the students complete a Core GCSE which consists of six modules, each of which is assessed by a multiple choice exam. These exams take place in November, March and June. Along with the module exams each student has to complete at least one ISA (teacher assessed practical component). The marks for each module are added together along with the ISA marks and a final grade is given. In year 11 the students will complete the Additional GCSE which consists of three, longer answer style, question papers. The exams take place in January and June and are divided into Biology, Physics and Chemistry units.

Along with the exams the students will need to complete additional ISA (level 2). The grades from the Core Science will make one GCSE and the grades from the Additional Science will make the second GCSE.

Further Science/Triple Science

This consists of three components, Core and Additional Science plus three, longer answer style question papers. The exams take place in January and June. Along with the exams, the students will need to complete at least one ISA (level 3). The marks from the exams and ISA will make the third GCSE. If students do not gain their expected grade in one of the module exams the can re-sit individual exams. As a department we will be monitoring all results rigorously, and will invite students to re-sit where we believe it will make a difference to their overall GCSE grade.

Students often pick the triple science option if they are interested in studying one or more of the Science options at A-level.

Topics Covered

• Human Biology - coordination and control, healthy eating, drug abuse, and controlling infectious diseases
• Evolution and the Environment - adaptations for survival, variation, evolution, how people affect the planet
• Products from Rocks - Rocks and building materials, rocks and metals, crude oil
• Oils, Earth and atmosphere - Products from oil, plant oil, the changing world
• Energy and energy resources - Heat transfer, using energy, electrical energy and generating energy
• Radiation and the Universe - Electromagnetic waves, Radioactivity and The Origins of the Universe

Key Stage Five Science

At Southborough High we offer A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These courses build on the knowledge and understanding learned at GCSE, and build from this to develop an independent approach to learning, in order to better equip students for Higher Education. It is expected that students will have achieved a minimum of ‘C' grades in their science GCSE's and it would be helpful if they also achieved a level ‘C' or above in GCSE Mathematics.

The courses are designed to allow a flexible approach to the delivery of the curriculum. For all the AS components there are two examinations covering key concepts, one in January and one in June. The third unit is an internally assessed practical skills examination. For all the A2 sciences, there are a further three mandatory units, one being an internally assessed level two practical skills examination.

Those students' studying biology in year 12 and 13 complete a field studies residential trip. They learn a variety of skills which will help them to carry out their own investigations and deal with questions related to the techniques. They learn how to analyse data using complex graphical and statistical techniques. This will give them the skills required to complete the practical element of their course.