- Science

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At Wallingford school the Science curriculum aims to:

Ensure the curriculum builds on pupils’ varying knowledge of science from primary school and provides frequent opportunities to develop their planning, analytical, evaluatory and problem solving skills through practical and investigative work.
Develop learners who have a thirst for knowledge and the creativity to become Scientists of tomorrow by nurturing enquiring minds to ask “Why?” and “How?”.
Develop students’ appreciation of the impact science has on their lives both positive and negative.
Ensure a science curriculum that stretches and challenges the ablest while also providing the scaffolding needed to ensure that students of all abilities achieve and exceed their potential.
Provide curriculum pathways which support students of all abilities ensuring the best opportunities to successfully access higher education.
Develop students mathematical and scientific literacy skills through applications in science.

Key Stage 3 Science (Years 7, 8 and 9)
Combined Science GCSE (Years 10 and 11)
Triple Science GCSE (Years 10 and 11)
Biology A Level (Years 12 and 13)
Chemistry A Level (Years 12 and 13)
Physics A Level (Years 12 and 13)
Applied Science Level 3 Extended Cert. (Years 12 and 13)

Key Stage 3 - Years 7, 8 and 9

Year 7, Terms 1-6
7.1-7.2	7A Cells Inheritance and the Genome 7B Substance, Mixtures, Atoms and Elements 7C Energy
7.3-7.4	7D From Cells to Organ Systems 7E Chemical Reactions 7F Forces
7.5-7.6	7G Reproduction 7H Space Revision for end of year assessments
Year 8, Terms 1-6
8.1-8.2	8A Biochemistry 8B Elements and Mixtures 8C Waves
8.3-8.4	8D Health and Fitness 8E Reactions and Sustainability 8F Electricity and Magnetism
8.5-8.6	8G Organisms and their Environment 8H Earth Science Revision for end of year assessments
Year 9, Terms 1-6
9.1	C1 Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
9.2	P1 Energy
9.3	B1 Cell Biology
9.4	C2 Bonding
9.5	P3 Particles
9.6	Revision and Biology Investigation

Combined Science GCSE - Years 10, 11

Year 10, Terms 1-6
10.1	B2 Organisation C3 Quantitative Chemistry P4 Atomic Structure
10.2	B3 Infection and Response C4 Chemical Changes P2 Electricity
10.3	B4 Bioenergetics C5 Energy Changes
10.4	Revision for Year 10 exams: Biology topics 1, 2 and 3, Chemistry topics 1, 2, 3 and 4, and Physics topics 1, 2, 3 and 4
10.5	C6 Rates of Reactions P6 Waves
10.6	B7 Ecology C8 Chemical Analysis P7 Electromagnetism
Year 11, Terms 1-4
11.1	B5 Homeostasis C7 Hydrocarbons P5 Forces 1
11.2	B6 Inheritance C9 The Atmosphere P5 Forces 2
11.3	C10 Using Resources
11.4	Revision

Triple Science GCSE - Years 10, 11

Year 10, Terms 1-6
10.1	B2 Organisation C3 Quantitative Chemistry P2 Electricity
10.2	C4 Chemical Changes B3 Infection and Response P2 Electricity
10.3	C4 Chemical Changes (Continued) B4 Bioenergetics P4 Atomic Structure
10.4	C1, C2, C3 and C4 Revision Bio: Revision for Y10 Exams Phy: Revision of P1-4
10.5	C5 Energy Changes B7 Ecology P6 Waves
10.6	C6 Rates of Reaction B7 Ecology P7 Electrogmanetism
Year 11, Terms 1-5
11.1	B5 Homeostasis C7 Hydrocarbons P8 Electromagnetism P5 Forces 1
11.2	C8 Chemical Analysis Bio: Revision for mocks P5.2 Forces 2
11.3	C9 Chemistry of the Atmosphere B6 Inheritance, Variation and Disease P8 Space
11.4	C10 Using Resources Bio: Revision
11.5	Bio: Revision

Biology A Level - Years 12, 13

Year 12, Terms 1-6
12.1	Biological molecules; nucleotides; cell structure; transport.
12.2	Cell recognition and the immune system; DNA and protein synthesis; exchange surfaces; genetic diversity.
12.3	Transport in plants; Biodiversity
12.4	Photosynthesis; response to stimuli
12.5	Response to stimuli; Populations and sustainability
12.6	Revision for mocks
Year 13, Terms 1-6
13.1	Neuronal communication • Respiration • Homeostasis
13.2	Inherited change • Homeostasis • Gene expression
13.3	Populations and evolution • Recombinant DNA technology
13.4	Revision and mock exams
13.5-13.6	Revision

Chemistry A Level - Years 12, 13

Year 12, Terms 1-6
12.1	Introduction to atoms • Amount of substance • Structure and Bonding • Electron structure
12.2	Acids and Redox •Basic Organic • Periodicity • Alkanes • Reactivity Trends • Alkenes
12.3	Enthalpy • Rates • Alcohols • Haloalkanes
12.4	Spectroscopy • Organic Synthesis • Revision
12.5	Transition Metals • Aromatic
12.6	Revision for mocks
Year 13, Terms 1-6
13.1	Rates of reaction • Equilibria • Carbonyls • Amines and amino acids and proteins • Organic synthesis
13.2	Acids, bases and pH • Buffers and neutralisation • Enthalpy and entropy • Spectroscopy • Equilibria (continued) • Organic synthesis (continued)
13.3	Redox and electrode potential • Spectroscopy (Continued) • Enthalpy and entropy (continued)
13.4	Transition Metals Recap • Aromatic Recap • Revision
13.5-13.6	Revision

Physics A Level - Years 12, 13

Year 12, Terms 1-6
12.1	Kinematics; Linear motion; Projectile motion; Dynamics; Non-uniform acceleration; Moments and equilibrium; Density and pressure; Scalar and vector; ; springs; properties of matter.
12.2	Properties of matter (cont.); Newton's Laws; collisions; charge; mean drift velocity; triangle of forces; work, energy and power; kinetic and potential; power; wave motion.
12.3	EM waves; superposition; stationary waves; EMF & Pd; resistance and resistivity; series and parallel.
12.4	Series and parallel (cont.); energy of photon; PE effect; W/P duality; internal resistance and potential dividers.
12.5	Thermal physics; capacitors.
12.6	Revision
Year 13, Terms 1-4
13.1	Circular motion; centripetal force; simple harmonic oscillations; point and spherical mass; Netwon's law of gravitation; the nuclear atom; fundamental particles.
13.2	Planetary motion; radioactivity; nuclear fisson; X-rays; Coulomb's law; magnetic fields.
13.3	X-rays (cont.); diagnostic; electromagnetism; thermal properties; ideal gases; stars.
13.4	EM radiation; cosmology; ultrasound; revision.

Applied Science Level 3 Extended Cert. - Years 12, 13

Year 12, Terms 1-6
12.1	Unit 1 Biology A: Structure and function of cells and tissues • Structure and function of cells and tissues • Structure and function of specialised cells in multicellular organisms Unit 3 Physics C: Electrical circuits and the transfer of energy • Use of electrical components • Electrical energy usage • Energy transfer • Change of state Unit 4: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques Learning aim C: Undertake physical procedures to examine energy transfer • Investigating resistivity • Investigating solar cells
12.2	Unit 1 Biology B: Structure and function of biological molecules • Structure and function of water • Structure and function of carbohydrates Unit 4: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques Learning aim C: Undertake physical procedures to examine energy transfer • Investigating cooling curves and specific heat capacity Unit 3 Physics A: Understanding waves and optical fibres • Properties of waves, standing waves and diffraction gratings • Principles of optical fibres
12.3	Unit 1 Biology B: Structure and function of biological molecules • Structure and function of proteins • Structure and function of nucleic acids C: Cellular transport and enzyme activity • Cell transport mechanisms Unit 3 Physics A: Understanding waves and optical fibres • Uses of electromagnetic waves in communication Unit 3 Physics B: Forces in transportation and Newtons Laws of Motion • Measurement and representation of motion "
12.4	Unit 1 Biology C: Cellular transport and enzyme activity • Enzymes as biological catalysts • Factors affecting enzyme activity • Homeostasis Unit 3 Physics B: Forces in transportation and Newtons Laws of Motion • Laws of motion Revision for Unit 1 and Unit 3 exam
12.5	May external exams in Unit 1 and Unit 3 Unit 4: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques Learning aim B: B1 Investigating plant growth Unit 2 Chemistry A: Atomic and electronic structure • Features of the periodic table • Electronic structure • Ionisation energy
12.6	Unit 2 Chemistry B: Bonding and structure • Metallic bonding and giant metallic structures • Ionic bonding and giant ionic structures • Covalent bonding and molecules • Typical physical properties based on bonding • Molecular shape • Electronegativity and polarity
Year 13, Terms 1-6
13.1	Unit 2 Chemistry C: Periodicity • Physical properties for the across Period 3 • Oxidation number concept, oxidation and reduction • Reactions of the Period 3 elements with oxygen, water and chlorine • Physical and chemical properties of Period 3 oxides, hydroxides and chlorides
13.2	Unit 2 Chemistry D: Physical chemistry • Concept of the mole and use in calculations involving • Chemical kinetics • Chemical equilibrium • Application of green chemistry in the chemical industry Revision for Unit 2 exam
13.3	January Unit 2 exam Unit 4: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques Learning aim B: B2 Colorimetery Learning aim A: A1 Laboratory equipment and its calibration A2 Preparation and standardisation of solutions using titration A3 Determination of purity of organic compounds A4 Evaluating accuracy and reliability using critical thinking skills Learning aim D: D1 Personal responsibility D2 Interpersonal skills D3 Professional practice
13.4	Unit 5: Science Investigation Skills In this unit, students will carry out an individual investigative project that they have chosen in collaboration with their teacher. They will be applying all the practical skills developed in unit 4 to work totally independently. This involves: A Undertaking a literature search and review to produce an investigative project proposal B Producing a plan for an investigative project based on a proposal C Safely undertaking the project, collecting, analysing and presenting the results D Presenting the conclusions from the project using correct scientific principles
13.5	Unit 5: Science Investigation Skills In this unit, students will carry out an individual investigative project that they have chosen in collaboration with their teacher. They will be applying all the practical skills developed in unit 4 to work totally independently. This involves: A Undertaking a literature search and review to produce an investigative project proposal B Producing a plan for an investigative project based on a proposal C Safely undertaking the project, collecting, analysing and presenting the results D Presenting the conclusions from the project using correct scientific principles
13.6