SCIENCE

“Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.” 

– Stephen Hawking

OUR CURRICULUM INTENT

In science we aim to empower students to make informed decisions, using scientific thinking in their future lives. Whether they go on to study science or not, the ability to investigate, analyse and evaluate will bring them success in their careers.

We develop concepts over time, using everyday examples to build strong foundations no matter their starting points, growing confident and mindful communicators.

As they move through the curriculum, students will be increasingly made to develop their curiosity, provide insight into working scientifically and appreciate the value of science every day. They will develop their literacy and numeracy skills through investigation and analysis.

We will inspire students through our curriculum to look to solve problems creatively; to better know and understand all cultures and societies.

THEMES

Biology: 

Chemistry:

Physics: 

SKILLS

ASSESSMENT

STRETCH & CHALLENGE

Key Stage 3 : Modules Taught

Aylward Academy follows the Ark Curriculum Science Mastery programme for KS3 that has been informed, delivered and refined by expert science teachers from across the country. Their experience has contributed to the development of the programme as a practical, powerful driver of student attainment. The KS3 science curriculum is based on mastery principles across Biology, Chemistry and Physics, which help to engage our students by developing their knowledge and skills at the optimum pace. The themes studied at KS3 ensure our students have a strong foundation of science and core concepts such as cells, forces and atoms, elements and compounds which will support them on their learning journey across Years 7, 8, and 9. Maths skills in science are covered within topics and through our chosen practical work where students have the opportunity to apply their theory into practical skills. Below outlines the topics studied at KS3.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Key Stage 4 

We offer GCSE Separate and Combined Science which can lead on to studying A Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Applied Science.

At KS4 we follow the AQA GCSE Trilogy Combined and Separate Science specification. This course builds directly on the skills and knowledge students have developed during KS3 (Year 7, 8 and 9). Students study key elements of Biology, Chemistry and Physics throughout Year 10 and 11, with exams in the summer at the end of Year 11. For this subject, students will gain two GCSE grades in Combined Science or three GCSE grades in Separate Science.

Ideas are introduced within relevant and interesting settings which help our learners to anchor their conceptual knowledge of the range of scientific topics required at GCSE level. Practical and mathematical science skills are embedded within the specification and learners are expected to carry out required practical work, calculations, data work, thus demonstrating their understanding of the relevance of the work itself through specific questions. To ensure our students can make real world links to science concepts, our curriculum encourages direct links between the world we live in and the topics our students study, such as Ecology and the impact on biodiversity and how human activities can influence this. 

The use of ‘Big Questions’ linked to topics and oracy tasks ensures that students get the opportunity to enjoy meaningful discussions to enhance the quality of their scientific thinking. Students are equipped with scientific skills such as data analysis and evaluations and also develop mathematical science skills to enhance their understanding of concepts. The science curriculum encourages all of our students to thrive in an exciting, curious and explorative learning journey.

Examination Boards : KS4 AQA Trilogy Combined Science, AQA GCSE Biology, AQA GCSE Chemistry and AQA GCSE Physics.

Key Stage 5

Biology A Level (AQA)

Year 12 and 13 students continue to build on the strong foundations of the knowledge and skills of Biology learnt lower down to become more knowledgeable. Students learn a broad range of both human and plant aspects of Biology such as Biological molecules, Cells, Organisms and exchange, Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms, Energy transfers, Nervous systems, Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems, and gene expression. Students carry out research around topics and practical experiments and then conduct compulsory required practicals in lab books where they are assessed using CPAC skills. 

The Biology A Level course is both rich and varied and from the outset students are plunged deep into challenging concepts such as exchange systems in different organisms. Students have online access to a comprehensive text book (Kerboodle), as well as the necessary guidance to access current material online. There is an opportunity for a field trip to be undertaken to our local forest, which guides students through the ecology unit and helps them to understand the practical aspects of their work.

Chemistry A Level (AQA)

With practicals and real-world applications at its core, AS and A-level AQA Chemistry qualifications provide a foundation for further scientific study. Learners who enrol in an A Level Chemistry course study a variety of fundamental concepts, such as atomic structure, energetics, thermodynamics, and the mechanisms of organic reactions. This helps students to develop a broad understanding that they may later apply to new scenarios.

At Aylward Academy, we consider required practicals in chemistry to be an essential component. These skills offer many opportunities for students to apply real-world experiences in the lab and give them the fundamental practical skills they require. We have excellent links with other Chemistry departments at universities for e.g. UCL and we use this to deepen our understanding through practical work and visits.

Physics A Level (AQA)

The course will introduce students to new ideas such as the fundamental properties and nature of matter, radiation and quantum phenomena. Students will also cover areas such as thermal properties of matter, electricity, fields, waves and nuclear physics with opportunities for trips during the course.

Required practicals form an essential component of the course covering 12 key experiments in Physics. Students will develop their collaborative working and analytical skills and will be introduced to ways of working that will help them at degree level. 

Examination Boards : KS5 AQA Biology, KS5 AQA Chemistry, KS5 AQA Physics.


KS5 Applied Science

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science is aimed at students who want to continue to study all three sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The course is assessed using a mixture of coursework and examination and there is a large focus on practical skills. It is a vocational course that links directly to scientific careers e.g. Healthcare, lab work, environmental science etc. It’s also suitable for students who aim to progress to higher education and is equivalent in size to one A-level. The course consists of four units: 


Examination Board : Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science

EXTRA CURRICULAR & ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Methane bubbles

Making Bath Bombs for Science Week

Making Bath Bombs for Science Week

Emerging Minds at Chemistry Lecture