About Science


Science is the study of the natural world around us, from living things on Earth to the workings of the stars at the furthest reaches of the Universe. It is a core part of the curriculum, studied by all students until the end of Year 11, and is an essential part of education for young people growing up in a technological society such as ours. Here at Fallibroome, we take a very practical approach to Science, so that students learn not only what Science has already discovered, but also the skills of how to discover new things for themselves. This approach serves well to develop future scientists, engineers and medics, and also to equip everyone with the skills for life to enable them to identify dubious claims and bogus pseudoscience.

Science in Years 7, 8 and 9 is taught over three hours per week, in mixed ability groups, to all pupils. Topics last for about three weeks and range across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The aim is to develop a deeper understanding of scientific principles and knowledge in as practical a way as possible, while encouraging the enthusiasm and wonder that pupils bring with them from primary school.

Practical work is recorded in a laboratory book, which remains in school. All other work is recorded in an exercise book, which pupils are expected to bring to every lesson.


Timetable Allocation

3 lessons per fortnight in KS3

Rewards

Teachers award stickers to recognise pupils’ effort.  After pupils have collected enough of these, teachers send an email home to parents to congratulate the pupil.  Emails are also sent home for other reasons, too, such as exceptional homework or improvements in attainment.

Homework

For each group of topics, above, there is a “takeaway menu” of tasks that pupils can choose from, for completion outside of lessons. Some of the items on the menus are straightforward and will not take long, others are more involved and feel like mini-projects; these will obviously take longer. Pupils have free choice or how much they attempt, as long as they do something. (As a guide, we would expect one short piece each week, or a medium sized piece over two weeks or a longer project piece over three weeks.) This allows pupils to follow their own interests and invest more time in the things they find interesting. To reward the pupils who really engage with the menus, there are ‘points’ (based on effort) available for each task and Bronze/Silver/Gold certificates are awarded when 300/600/1200 points have been reached throughout the year. In addition, pupils scoring 1800 points will receive a trophy! To achieve a trophy is very challenging, but all pupils should aim for at least their Silver certificate.

Assessment

Summative assessments take place 4 times per year in November, February, April and June.

Science Curriculum Map

A Guide to Curriculum Maps


Year 7
Year 7
Year 8
Year 8
Year 9
Year 9
7A. Cells
7A. Cells
7B. Reproduction
7B. Reproduction
7D. Variation & Classification
7D. Variation & Classifica...
7C. Environment
7C. Environment
8AB. Food, digestion, respiration and circulation
8AB. Food, digestion, resp...
8D. Ecological relationships (See KO 7D)
8D. Ecological relationshi...
8C. Microbes
8C. Microbes
Cell Biology
Cell Biology
8X. Skeleton
and muscles (see PE KO)
8X. Skeleton...
7F. Simple chemical reactions
7F. Simple chemical reacti...
7G. Particle models of solids, liquids and gases
7G. Particle models of sol...
7E. Acids and alkalis
7E. Acids and alkalis
8EF. Atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures
8EF. Atoms, elements, comp...
(7)H. Solutions
(7)H. Solutions
(9)EF. Reactions of metals and Patterns of reactivity
(9)EF. Reactions of metals...
Chemistry of the atmosphere
Chemistry of the atmospher...
Using resources
Using resources
Chemistry
Chemistry
Physics
Physics
Year 7
Year 7
Year 8
Year 8
Year 9
Year 9
The Fallibroome Academy Key Stage 3 Science Curriculum Map
The Fallibroome Academy Key Stage 3 Science Curriculum Map
7K. Forces
7K. Forces
7L. Solar System
7L. Solar System
7I. Energy resources
7I. Energy resources
7J. Electrical circuits
7J. Electrical circuits
8L. Sound
8L. Sound
8I. Heat
8I. Heat
8K. Light
8K. Light
Kinetic theory
and heat transfer
Kinetic theory...
Energy resources
Energy resources
Biology
Biology
Working Scientfically
Working Scientfically
Within-year links
Within-year links
Across-years links
Across-years links
Separating mixtures
Separating mixtures
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Meet the Teachers


Mr Billington

Mr Downing

Mrs Flisher

Mrs Miller

Mrs Abbou

Dr Burgess

Mrs Burstow

Mrs Callister

Dr Cooper

Mrs Drake

Miss Gray

Mrs Jordan

Mrs Moorhouse

Ms Soulsby

Mrs Wolff