See our Science Curriculum below at Bentley Wood for KS3, KS4 and KS5
Course Aims:
Course Content:
Year 7
Year 8
Trips and visits:
Science Museum; Whipsnade Zoo, the Natural History Museum, and STEM Activity Day in July.
Enrichment:
Key Stage 4 & 5 / Career Progression:
The science course is specifically designed to build understanding and skills that leads into the new AQA Science GCSE and then onto A Levels. Careers that directly link to Science are numerous, some of these include: medicine, nursing, optometry, dentistry, zoology and engineering.
Recommended Reading:
Examining Board: AQA
All students at Bentley Wood study science and the Science Department sets the highest expectations for all students. Based on prior achievement, aptitude and dedication to scientific learning, students are allocated to one of two pathways below:
1) Triple Science AQA – Biology, Chemistry & Physics 2) Double Award AQA – Combined Science (Trilogy Route)
All students have 6 periods of Science allocated per week. Science is not an options subject.
Course Overview and Methods of Assessment A brief outline of what is required in both the Triple and Combined examination pathways is outlined below:
Topic Overview: All topics in bold are examined in Triple and Double pathways. Topics in italics are Triple only topics.
Biology Paper 1
Topics: Cell Biology; Organisation; Infection and response; and Bioenergetics.
Triple only topics: Plant Diseases and Responses, Bacterial Growth, Monoclonal Antibodies.
Biology Paper 2
Topics: Homeostasis and response; Inheritance, variation and evolution; and Ecology.
Triple only topics: The Brain and the Eye, Plant Hormones, Controlling Body Temperature, The Kidneys and their Function; Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual and Asexual Reproduction, DNA and Gene Expression, Protein Synthesis, Adult Cell Cloning, History of Genetics, Theories of Evolution, Speciation; Rates of Decomposition, Impact of Environmental Change; Biomass and factors affecting Food Security and Sustainable Food Production.
Chemistry Paper 1
Topics: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry, Chemical changes; and Energy changes.
Triple only topics: Transition Metals; Nanoparticles; Yield, Atom Economy, Percentage Yield, Titrations, Volumes of Gases.
Chemistry Paper 2
Topics: The rate and extent of chemical change; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; and Using resources. Questions in Paper 2 may draw on fundamental concepts and principles from Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry.
Triple only topics: Transition Metals; Nanoparticles; Yield, Atom Economy, Percentage Yield, Titrations, Volumes of Gases; Fuel and Chemical Cells; Organic Chemistry including alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters; Polymers; Testing for Ions and Instrumental Analysis; Using Materials.
Physics Paper 1
Topics: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
Triple only topics: Infrared radiation, Electrical charges and fields; Nuclear: fission/fusion/issues.
Physics Paper 2
Topics: Forces; Waves; and Magnetism and electromagnetism
Triple only topics: Moments at work and levels and gears, Using conservation of momentum, Impact forces, Safety, Force and Pressure, Ultrasound and Seismic waves; Light; Electromagnets, Alternating-Current Generator, Transformers, Space.
These is no coursework element in this specification.
Practical work underpins many aspects of scientific work and our curriculum seamlessly incorporates practical elements and foci into our student learning.
Recommended Revision Guides
Separate sciences / combined foundation textbooks are also available where applicable.
NB: If purchasing the workbooks, ensure you purchase the ones that include the answers (older versions do not!).
Recommended Revision Websites:
Further Reading
Further Study / Career Prospects
Triple Science and Combined Science at the higher tier of entry are both academically rigorous and therefore offer a strong foundation for those considering studying science at A-level and beyond into higher education. Bentley Wood offers a comprehensive range of Science A-Levels Biology, Chemistry and Physics, all taught by experienced subject specialists.
Our entry requirements for science A-levels are 66 or above in science GCSE, a 6 in Maths GCSE and a 5 in English Language GCSE.
As well as the more obvious medical or research-based career options, science graduates are highly sought after in industry and the financial and business sectors where their analytical skills are in demand.
Enrichment
Is Biology the subject for you?
Yes, if you are a person who has an interest in the living world that surrounds you. Yes, if you want to develop a deep understanding of the organization and working of living organisms and systems. Yes, if you want to be involved in high level experimental and investigative work and develop and develop an extended understanding of the link between theory and scientific method.
The aims of this course are to encourage students to:
Course content
Methods of study
Students will learn to describe, explain and interpret phenomena and effects in terms of Biological principles and concepts, presenting arguments and ideas clearly and logically. The lessons will vary in style from practical and student-centred investigations to demonstrations and teacher investigations.
How will it be examined?
Two exams of 90 minutes each will be sat at the end of year 12. This AS qualification will not count towards the final grade of an A Level and be a separate qualification in its own right (Linear).
Career opportunities
Most universities offer Biology as a single or joint honours degree. Biology combines well with other science subjects and often provides a background to careers in medicine, nursing, veterinary science, environmental science, physiotherapy, food science, science research, pharmacology and teaching.
Is Chemistry the subject for you?
Studying Chemistry provides you with a privileged insight to the processes that define our everyday world. The skills you will develop as a chemist are highly transferable enabling you to continue your academic trajectory in a multitude of different fields. You will use and develop powers of critical and creative thinking and demonstrate your chemical knowledge through a diverse range of practical experiments.
The course allows you to develop a myriad of skills in the classroom by seamlessly integrating these throughout the course topics. These can be in the form of practical work as well as presentational skills. Learning is sequenced to allow you to cumulatively build on your knowledge and take ownership of your learning as you progress from topic to topic. The innovative nature of Chemistry means that this field is constantly evolving, and our students are encouraged to complement their learning with wider, up-to-date research in order to expand their contextual appreciation of the subject.
Chemistry lessons are varied however, we aim to incorporate as many practical experiences as part of our lessons as possible. This is so that students can appreciate the concomitant link between theoretical chemical work and experimental research. This is particularly crucial for those who will continue their scientific learning through to higher education. Students will receive regular feedback from class teachers throughout their studies and will also evaluate your learning through peer assessment, group work, class discussions, presentations, experimentation and research.
Our exam board for KS5 Chemistry is AQA. At A-Level our students complete the Linear Chemistry qualification; the AS qualification will not count towards the final grade of an A Level. However, there are opportunities throughout the course for learning to be regularly examined and for students to reflect on where their learning currently stands and how to make progress going forward.
A qualification in Chemistry is in high demand and will set you apart in any field you continue your studies in. Many courses such as medicine, engineering and dentistry require an A Level in Chemistry as a prerequisite for the course. What careers could you consider in the future with chemistry? Analytical Chemistry, Banking, Atmospheric Chemistry, Engineering, Forensic Science, Marine Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Accounting, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Patent Attorney – these are just a few! Many employers value the analytical and creative problem solving skills that are developed at Chemistry A-level.
A-Level Entry Requirements: minimum of a 6 in Maths and Science (66 if double award) as well as a 5 in English Language.
Main textbooks used:
Recommended revision resources:
Recommended websites:
Extended Reading for KS5:
Enrichment Opportunities
Is Physics the subject for you?
If you are the sort of person who likes to ask questions about the world around you, is interested in the way that things work and has a curiosity about the world and the Universe then Physics is definitely for you. Physics is about making observations and explaining why events and strange phenomena. You will enjoy solving problems in a variety of areas, working in a team and having a shared purpose with others.
The course not only includes the study of the laws, theories and models of Physics but also the application of these to the modern world. From waves to radioactivity, mechanics to electricity and many things beyond.
Physics lessons are varied and include peer teaching, peer assessment, group work, class discussions (you will be expected to talk), presentations, experimentation, research and demonstrations. Understanding of some aspects of physics is achieved through the application of mathematics.
AS qualification will not count towards the final grade of an A Level and be a separate qualification in its own right (Linear).
Physics A-level helps to develop strong numerical, analytical and logical skills, and there is a perception that physicists are very able students.
Clearly, Physics A-level is an important qualification for many university courses and careers. Obvious examples are any form of engineering and many technical and ‘hi-tech’ courses and careers.
More broadly, employers in general value the skills developed in Physics A-level very highly, and Physics can open many employment doors in business and banking, for example.
Furthermore, there is currently a severe shortage of physicists and an even more severe shortage of female physicists, and young people with physics backgrounds are very much in demand. This means that universities are especially keen to receive applications from A-level physicists. At a time when many schools do not provide A-level physics and still relatively few girls take it as an option, those that do place themselves at a significant advantage.
