"Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science"
Scientists are an interesting breed of people, they are creative, adventurers, critical, and pragmatic, they tackle the great intellectual challenges of our time and are driven by constant curiosity and inspired to discover the truth!
Science is a fundamental part of culture and society. It involves questioning the world around us and has a large part to play in the development of the pupils at The Hayfield School. The science department provides a solid foundation for developing our students’ understanding of science, its importance and relevance in today’s and tomorrow’s societies and to maintain their curiosity about the world around them.
We aim to encourage a scientific way of thinking and enquiry, to develop independent learners and extend the students’ repertoire of skills through practical experiences that prepare them for life beyond school, so enhancing their experience and understanding of the scientific world that surrounds them.
Through the use of active learning, scientific reasoning and critical thinking we aim to develop the skills of each pupil enabling each child to reach and exceed their own potential.
Within the department passionate staff, experts in the fields of Physics, Chemistry and Biology lead pupils through a 5-year journey to the completion of their GCSE’s and beyond.
We have 8 well-equipped Science laboratories and dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic teaching specialists offering a range of experience both from within the classroom as well as from academia and industry.
Teaching Staff are supported by expert technical staff.
Our vision is to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We aim to develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiry that helps pupils to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
Our KS3 curriculum has been designed to equip students for success at GCSE. It will improve their scientific knowledge and understanding and through its strong practical basis it will encourage students to work like scientists. It will ensure that all pupils develop the scientific skills required and the curriculum will enable them to better understand the uses and implications of science in the world around them.
Pupils will become competent scientists and will develop their understanding of the big picture in science forming an idea of the linkages between the three subjects. They will be encouraged to be critical thinkers, seeing the world analytically and be encouraged to relate scientific explanations to phenomena in the world around them. They will start to use modelling and abstract ideas to develop and evaluate explanations for what they see.
We will deliver a curriculum which is ambitious for all pupils, that is coherently planned and sequenced and that is broad and balanced for all pupils.
Science is for all. It has something to suit students of all abilities and aspirations. Students will be engaged and challenged. Success in science can provide access and great preparation to Post 16 Science courses and apprenticeships. In the long term it can lead on to lots of options at university and an almost limitless number of job opportunities. The science based skills you learn and develop will be really helpful in sorts of careers and are favoured by many employers.
As part of your science lessons you will study three core elements; Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Within these elements you will learn about…
Biology:
Chemistry:
Physics:
In each of the 3 science elements; Biology, Chemistry and Physics, there are two exam papers. All papers are 1 hour 45 mins and there is the option of foundation tier or higher tier papers. The papers each have 100 marks available and the two papers in each science split the topics covered, with half of the content in each paper. The two papers are equally weighted, each worth 50% of the GCSE qualification.
Exams contain a mixture of questioning styles including multiple choice, structured, closed, short answer and open response.
During the GCSE course students will carry out a number of required practicals, the details of which will then be examined and assessed in the GCSE examination papers.
There is no coursework or controlled assessment element to these qualifications.
Standard stationery including pencil, ruler and rubber
A scientific calculator is also needed from the start of the course
There are many opportunities in Biology, Chemistry and Physics to develop students character and culture. Diversity, wellbeing, aspirations and values are apparent at many points throughout the courses. Some of the content you expect to specifically support the character and culture curriculum is …
Evaluating the social and ethical issues associated with the use of stem cells in medical research and treatment and the use of monoclonal antibodies.
Understanding physical and mental well being including diet, smoking, alcohol.
Evaluating the relationship between obesity and diabetes, and make recommendations taking into account social and ethical issues.
Evaluating personal, social, economical and environmental implications when discussing contraception.
Understanding the social and ethical issues associated with IVF.
Considering the ethical issues which arise from embryonic screening, gene therapy, selective breeding and cloning in agriculture and in medicine.
Appreciating how waste, energy use and deforestation have an impact on the environment.
By taking separate science more content is covered which provides students with better-preparation for science A-levels, Applied BTECs and Apprenticeships.
You may decide to continue this qualification and pursue one of the following professions…Doctor, Physicist, Vet, Biomedical Scientist, Sports Science, Food Scientist. Your teacher will be happy to share knowledge of linked professions with you.
The science department offers a range of enrichment activities including KS3 Science club – open to all pupils in Years 7and 8. The club is very well attended and pupils undertake a range of exciting and informative activities throughout the year developing scientific working and reasoning skills, Science club is based around experiments and competitions.
Crest Award – selected pupils from Years 9 and 10 undertake Silver crest award within the department. CREST gives students the chance to participate in hands-on science through investigations and enquiry-based learning, supporting them to solve real-life STEM challenges through practical investigation and discussion
