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Curriculum Intent and Implementation

Our intention in Science is to provide a high-quality science education for all groups of students, which teaches essential scientific knowledge, methods, and processes along with the higher-order concepts, thinking skills, and practical abilities inherent in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These three sciences are taught as separate but interconnected subjects in all key stages. We strive to nurture students' life-long interest in the field of science and scientific research, so that learners understand its implications today and in the future. We are keen that our students meet the challenges associated with studying STEM subjects, to ensure they achieve well. To this end our curriculum is designed to ensure all students study separate sciences in Year 9 and in KS4; and that high numbers continue to study a science subject at A Level.

The Science Curriculum is carefully and coherently planned to ensure core content, knowledge, and skills are mapped and taught logically. To encourage the long-term retrieval of what has been learnt, embedded into our lessons are activities which promote memory and recall, and self-assessment. End of Unit and Termly Tests also ensure students regularly apply their knowledge and reflect on their progress. To ensure all students achieve well in all science subjects, monitoring of student-progress and intervention for those at risk of underachieving is rigorous and timely.

Review our Biology Curriculum Map, Chemistry Curriculum Map, Physics Curriculum Map, and Key Stage Three Science Curriculum Map for a detailed overview of the core knowledge and skills covered in Science.

In Key Stage Three, which incorporates Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, we aim to encourage learners to link direct practical experiences with scientific ideas. To introduce challenge in the latter part of KS3, these subjects are taught as separate disciplines in Year 9. Learners hone practical skills to allow them to investigate safely and effectively. Their ability to communicate their findings clearly and draw conclusions is developed and they learn to question and discuss scientific issues that may affect their own lives, other societies, and the future of the world.

Key Stage 4

The Science GCSEs offered at KGGS are part of the AQA Science suite of qualifications for Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. The specifications provide learners with opportunities to:

 

  • Develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, scientific ideas and applications
  • Develop a critical approach to scientific evidence and methods
  • Acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of how science works, considering its essential role in society
  • Acquire scientific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary for progression to further learning.

For more information about our KS4 Science Courses, please see the KGGS KS4 Options Booklet

Key Stage 5

Biology
Biology is the study of life, and it lies at the heart of our everyday existence. It helps to explain how we work and how we fit in with the world around us. Biology looks at how we began and what our future may hold. Advances in new technologies, such as recombinant DNA and genomics, have made this varied discipline more exciting than ever, as Biology is a fast-moving subject. Some topics we are teaching in Biology now didn't even exist when your teachers were at university!

Whether you are interested in saving threatened species, studying microbes, growing organic plants for food, or curing diseases, studying Biology gives you the skills and opportunities to advance human knowledge and understanding in today's world, and make a difference to the world of tomorrow.

We follow the AQA Biology Specification in KS5.

Chemistry
We follow the OCR Chemistry Specification in KS5

Chemistry is a fundamental science and impacts on all facets of our lives. An understanding of Chemistry is necessary to all other sciences - from astronomy to zoology. All the materials used by engineers and technologists are made by chemical reactions and we all experience chemical reactions continuously, whether it be when baking a cake, driving a car, or when heating our homes. Chemistry is also concerned with all aspects of molecules, their physical and chemical properties, their composition and structure, and their synthesis and use in the 21st century.

Physics
Physics is crucial to understanding the world around us, the world inside us and the world beyond us. It is the most basic and fundamental science, underpinning all things.

In Physics you will study the universe: from the largest galaxies to the smallest sub-atomic particles. Physics challenges our imaginations and leads to great discoveries and technologies that change our lives. From healing joints and curing cancer, to developing sustainable energy solutions. Physics forms the basis of most modern technologies and holds the future to our global well-being.

We follow the AQA Physics Specification in KS5.

For information on A-Level courses beginning next academic year, please see the Sixth Form Admissions page.