Introduction

Our Science curriculum at The St Lawrence Academy provides the foundations for understanding the material world. Scientific understanding is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all students are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. They are helped to appreciate how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a small number of key ideas relating to the sciences which are both inter-linked, and are of universal application.

Practical work is at the heart of science, so we have placed it at the heart of our curriculum. There are three interconnected, but separate reasons for doing practical work at The St Lawrence Academy. They are:

To support and consolidate scientific concepts (knowledge and understanding). This is done by applying and developing what is known and understood of abstract ideas and models. Through practical work we are able to make sense of new information and observations, and provide insights into the development of scientific thinking.

To develop investigative skills. These transferable skills include: devising and investigating testable questions, identifying and controlling variables and analysing, interpreting and evaluating data.

To build and master practical skills such as: using specialist equipment to take measurements, handling and manipulating equipment with confidence and fluency recognising hazards and planning how to minimise risk.

‘Science is organised knowledge. Wisdom is organised life’
Will Durant

Key Stage 3

At KS3 the Science curriculum is structured using 10 strands. These include;

  • Forces
  • Energy
  • Matter
  • Reactions
  • Organisms
  • Ecosystems
  • Earth
  • Electromagnets
  • Waves
  • Genes

Each strand is colour coded so that you can see how the strands progress throughout the 5 year learning journey. Each strand has two topics which are assessed in specific weeks. The Science curriculum follows the National Curriculum and we are guided by the AQA KS3 scheme which naturally flows into KS4.

Students are given specific sticky knowledge for each topic to learn in Science which includes key facts that students need to know in order to progress to the next unit in the strand.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 there are two paths students can take, either the Combined Science Trilogy route or the Triple Science pathway

Combined Science
In KS4 students are educated using the AQA Combined Science Trilogy course which will enable the students to gain 2 GCSEs in Science. We have strategically designed the science curriculum so that it follows the same 10 strands as in KS3. This ensures that the students know how their journey through the 5 years is progressing.

The course is linear as it is examined at the end of Year 11. There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each of the papers will assess
knowledge and understanding from distinct topic areas. Each paper is 1 hour 15 minutes long and is worth 70 marks each.

Triple Science
Students have the opportunity to choose Triple Science as an option at KS4. This means that students can gain 3 GCSEs in the separate Sciences. Students relish the broad curriculum this offers. Many abstract concepts are taught and explained. This curriculum allows stretch and challenge to the students who have a natural flare and hunger for Scientific knowledge. There are six papers: two biology, two chemistry and two physics. Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes long and is worth 100 marks each.

Required Practicals
Our curriculum develops the knowledge and understanding in science through opportunities for working scientifically. In KS4 the practical emphasis is on the Required Practicals, which make up 20% of the marks in the 6 exams. The table below shows which required practical activities are covered throughout our curriculum. Practicals highlighted in italics are in Triple Science only.

Biology 

Required practicals

Chemistry 

Required practicals

Physics 

Required practicals

Microscopy  

Osmosis  

Enzymes 

Food tests 

Photosynthesis 

Reaction time   

Field investigations  

Plant responses

Decay

Microbiology

Making salts  

Temperature changes  

Rates of reaction  

Chromatography

Water purification  

Electrolysis  

Specific heat capacity

Neutralisation

Identifying ions  

Specific heat capacity 

Resistance  

I-V characteristics    

Density

Force and extension 

Acceleration  

Waves  

Radiation and absorption  

Thermal insulation

Light

Careers

Science opens up many doors for students in their later careers. Many alumni have gone on to study to be medical professionals in many capacities. With many nearby hospitals this is a necessity to ensure the stability of the community. Some further possibilities for careers include:

  • Teacher
  • Architect
  • Vet
  • Engineer
  • Armed forces
  • Textile industry
  • Electrician
  • Plumber
  • Crime Scene Investigator
  • Artificial Intelligence.