Science

Competencies

C1: Knowledge and Understanding

C2: Inquiring and designing

C3: Processing and evaluating

C4: Communicating and collaborating

Course Overview

In Lower School Science, the scheme is based on a combination of the National Curriculum and topics which we believe will prepare the pupils fully for the start of their iGCSE course in Year 9. It assesses pupils on scientific reasoning, based on designing experiments to produce valid data, analysing results and communicating balanced conclusions to others. This is underpinned by the 4 skills competencies which we focus on in year 7 and 8- Knowledge and Understanding, Planning and Evaluating, Inquiring and Designing and Communicating and collaborating. The Big Questions also allows opportunities for pupils to explore real world issues in which Science has a role to play, such as the planning for future pandemics.

The topics covered are:

Diet and digestion

Periodic table atomic structure

Separating mixtures

Energy and energy resources

Respiration and Photosynthesis

Microbes and disease

Electricity and magnetism

Types of reaction and rates of reaction

Assessments

Learners show their progress against each competency in the common tests. There is a test after each pair of topics. There are 5 common tests throughout the year and a summer exam which tests all the work covered in year 8.

Aldersey-Williams, H. Periodic Tales: The Curious Lives of the Elements (2012)

Bryson, B. A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003)

Chan, A. and Ridley, M. Viral: The Search for the Origin of Covid-19 (2022)

Dawkins, R. The Magic of Reality: How we know what's really true Mass Market (2012)

Kay, A. Kay's Anatomy: A Complete (and Completely Disgusting) Guide to the Human Body (2021)

Kay, A. Kay's Marvellous Medicine: A Gross and Gruesome History of the Human Body (2022)

Ridley, M. Genome: The Autobiography Of Species In 23 Chapters (2000)

Roach, M. Gulp: Travels Around the Gut (2016)

Roberts, A. The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being: Evolution and the Making of Us (2015)

Stannard, R. Uncle Albert and the Quantum Quest (2005)

Thunberg, G. No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference: Greta Thunberg (2019)

Thunberg, G. The Climate Book: Greta Thunberg (2022)

Science and The Big Questions

Learners use their knowledge of microbes to consider 'How my knowledge can shape the future?' and look at what can be done to prevent future pandemics. The global issue of climate change is also investigated and pupils will address their carbon footprint and what can be done to reduce carbon dioxide levels.

Year 8 pupils will complete an essay from research they carry out on evolution and the 'out of Africa' theory to address the Big Question of 'What can I learn from beyond the UK?'

Staff Contact

Mrs Kathryn Bruce (Head of Lower School Science)

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