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St Augustine's Catholic College

Science

Science helps us understand how the world works, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies. The science curriculum at St Augustine’s provides students with a broad and comprehensive understanding of the natural world and the scientific processes used to explore and understand it. This includes developing the basic principles of science, such as the scientific method, as well as the scientific concepts and ideas relating to the different fields of science (biology, chemistry, physics and earth science).

In addition to developing subject-specific knowledge, the science curriculum also helps students to develop transferrable skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. Students are encouraged to ask questions, gather and analyse data, and draw evidence-based.

Dr K Buchard, Acting Head of Science

Key Stage 3

The Key Stage 3 science curriculum is based on the Oxford Smart Activate Curriculum. The KS3 curriculum is organised by units that explores the big of science ideas and fully covers the ambitions of the National Curriculum. Each big idea has a clear and coherent progression, underpinned by curriculum narratives. Skills, including working scientifically, apparatus and techniques, numeracy and literacy are integrated throughout the curriculum and are built upon when moving through the key stage.

Year 7

The following units of are covered in Year 7:

  • Safety in Science
  • Particles and their behaviour
  • Forces
  • Cells
  • Elements, atoms and compounds
  • Structure and Function of body systems
  • Sound
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Reproduction
  • Light
  • Acids and Alkalis
  • Space

Year 8

The following units of are covered in Year 8:

  • The Periodic Table
  • Health and Lifestyle
  • Electricity and magnetism
  • Separation techniques
  • Biological processes
  • Energy
  • Metals and other materials
  • Ecosystems and adaptation
  • Motion and pressure
  • Inheritance
  • The Earth

At St Augustine’s we begin Key Stage 4 at the start of Year 9. This ensures that students are given the  opportunity to fully appreciate the increased content and complexity of the science GCSE curriculum. 

 

GCSE

All students study GCSE science. There are currently two routes through the science GCSE.

All students will complete the introductory GCSE units for the combined science course in Year 9 and then select one of the routes below:

Route 1 - AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy

              - 2 GCSEs awarded

Route 2 - Triple Science: AQA GCSE Biology, AQA GCSE Chemistry and AQA GCSE Physics

              - 3 GCSEs awarded

A small number of students will also complete the Entry Level Certificate qualification alongside the Foundation AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy course. 

AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy

The topics studied during the combined science course include:

Biology

  1. Cell biology

  2. Organisation

  3. Infection and response

  4. Bioenergetics

  5. Homeostasis and response

  6. Inheritance, variation and evolution

  7. Ecology

Chemistry

  1. Atomic structure and the periodic table

  2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter

  3. Quantitative chemistry

  4. Chemical changes

  5. Energy changes

  6. The rate and extent of chemical change

  7. Organic chemistry

  8. Chemical analysis

  9. Chemistry of the atmosphere

Physics

  1. Energy

  2. Electricity

  3. Particle model of matter

  4. Radioactivity

  5. Forces

  6. Waves

  7. Magnetism and Electromagnetism

The qualification is linear; all exams will be taken at the end of year 11. There is no coursework or controlled assessment.

There are six written exams each 1 hour  15 minutes: two biology, two chemistry and two physics.

Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. 

There are also 21 required practical activities to complete and the skills covered in this work will be assessed in the exams.

Students can be entered for the Foundation or Higher Tier.

AQA Triple Science: GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics

The Triple Science route involves the study of extra topics in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as studying topics from Combined Science in more depth.

Below are the additional topics for the triple science content: 

Biology

  1. Microbes

  2. The brain

  3. The Eye

  4. Water balance

  5. Temperature Control

  6. Trophic levels

  7. DNA

  8. Protein synthesis

  9. Cloning

  10. The theory of Evolution

  11. Plant diseases and defences

  12. Microbes

  13. The brain

  14. The Eye

  15. Water balance

  16. Temperature Control 

Chemistry

  • Nanotechnology

  • Fuel cells and batteries

  • Further organic chemistry

  • Addition and condensation polymerisation

  • Flame tests

  • Testing for ions

  • Haber process

  • Titration

  • Atom economy and percentage yield 

  • Gas calculations

Physics

  1. Static Electricity

  2. Electric fields

  3. Pressure laws in gases

  4. Nuclear fission and fusion

  5. Nuclear Power Stations

  6. Sound Waves

  7. Theory of waves

  8. Generator effect

  9. Space

The qualification is linear; all exams will be taken at the end of year 11. There is no coursework or controlled assessment.

There are six written exams each 1 hour  45 minutes: two biology, two chemistry and two physics.

Each of the papers will assess knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. 

There are also 28 required practical activities to complete and the skills covered in this work will be assessed in the exams.

Students can be entered for the Foundation or Higher Tier.

A Levels

A Level Biology

A Level Chemistry

A Level Physics

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