Science

Curriculum overview

Science is everywhere in today’s world. It is part of our daily lives, from cooking and gardening, to recycling and comprehending the daily weather report, to reading a map and using a computer.  The advances in technology and science are transforming our world at an incredible pace, and our children’s future will surely be filled with leaps in technology we can only begin to imagine. Being “science literate” will no longer be just an advantage but an absolute necessity. We can’t escape from the significance of science in our world.

Overall intent

To inspire students to become more systematic and critical in their approach 

The Science curriculum aims to prepare our students for their future, giving them the relevant knowledge, skills and competencies required to address various challenges facing the world such a climate change, a shift in thinking of global health and the advancements in Artificial Intelligence. 

But not everyone understands that, or has been taught to think critically, or been provided with the tools to analyse and test a problem or situation, hence at King Edward VI School, Lichfield we see studying science as a five year journey which aims to foster within students, a passion for the subject. We aim to develop independent enquiry skills and build on student’s natural curiosity, in order to make them more systematic and critical in their approaches to scientific phenomena. Students should be able to know more and do more. 

Students will be taught a carefully planned sequence of essential concepts, knowledge, skills and principles which they consolidate, develop, revisit, link together, practise and apply throughout their learning. There are also tasks incorporated throughout the five year journey which enables them to apply and extend their knowledge to familiar and unfamiliar contexts alongside working scientifically. 

Embedding literacy 

Throughout the course there are ample opportunities for students to practice and improve their literacy skills. Within teaching we ensure high frequency unfamiliar, vocabulary are explicitly taught by helping students to understand the root word by splitting it down into their constituent parts. This gives them the confidence to interpret new words when encountered both within science and the wider curriculum. As experienced practitioners we model comprehension skills and promote reading for pleasure. 

Encouraging independence 

Effective and pertinent practical activities are at the heart of the curriculum here at King Edward VI School, Lichfield and we pride ourselves in our ability to effectively deliver them and use every opportunity for the students to improve their independent enquiry skills right the way through the key stages. We feel practical activities support and consolidate scientific concepts, develop transferable skills and build and master practical skills. 

Fieldwork and enrichment  

There are various enrichment activities depending on the key stage. At Key Stage 3 we tend to organise trips to science fairs to enthuse our students and organise STEM. Key Stage 4 Physics will enter the students into the Olympiad and Chemistry enters the Top of the Bench Competition. 

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Year 7 Curriculum

Year 8 Curriculum

Year 9 Biology Curriculum

Year 9 Chemistry Curriculum

Year 9 Physics Curriculum

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

The current curriculum follows the AQA specification for either Separate Sciences or Combined Science. The current specification is a two-year course that comprises terminal examinations. This specification was chosen because it encourages the development of knowledge and understanding in science through opportunities for working scientifically. That theme is woven through the specification and written papers.

Within the Separate Science course for each discipline the students sit two one hour and 45 minute papers which are both worth 50% of the GCSE grade, whereas the Combined Scientists sit six one hour and 15 minute papers each worth 16.6% of the GCSE grade. Regardless of the course all papers consist of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open responses. There is also a variety of skills used and examined making it a challenging yet engaging course.

GCSE Combined Science - Biology Curriculum

GCSE Combined Science - Chemistry Curriculum

GCSE Combined Science - Physics Curriculum

GCSE Triple Science - Biology Curriculum

GCSE Triple Science - Chemistry Curriculum

GCSE Triple Science - Physics Curriculum

Staff

The following members of staff form the Science department at King Edwards: