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Bourne Grammar School

Overview

All pupils study Science in Year 7 and 8. They are taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics from Year 9 and initially follow the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy course. In Year 10 some students are transferred to the Triple Award course (resulting in separate GCSE awards in Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSE). In Year 12 and 13 students have the option to study A-level Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Year 7 and 8

Students are taught general Science in Year 7 and 8. They follow the KS3 National Curriculum and the programme of study covers the Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Investigative Skills concepts which are split into a variety of topics. The Biology topics cover the following areas of study: Structure and function of living organisms; Material cycles and energy; Interactions and interdependencies and Genetics and evolution. The Chemistry content covers: Particulate nature of matter; Atoms, elements and compounds; Pure and impure substances; Chemical reactions; Energetics; Periodic table; Materials and Earth and atmosphere. The Physics content includes: Energy; Motion and forces; Waves; Electricity and electromagnetism; Matter and Space Physics. The Investigative Skills include: Scientific attitudes; Experimental skills and investigations; Analysis and evaluation and Measurement.

Years 9, 10 and 11

In Biology, students follow the GCSE AQA Combined Science Trilogy (8465) specification or GCSE AQA Biology (8461) specification. All students cover the following areas of study: Cell biology; Organisation; Infection and response; Bioenergetics; Homeostasis; Inheritance and Ecology. AQA Biology (8461) differs in that students cover additional content within each of these areas of study.

In Chemistry, students follow the GCSE AQA Combined Science Trilogy (8465) specification or GCSE AQA Chemistry (8462) specification. All students cover the following areas of study: Atomic structure and the periodic table; Bonding, structure and the properties of matter; Quantitative chemistry; Chemical changes; Energy changes; Rate and extent of chemical changes; Organic chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry of the atmosphere; Using resources. AQA Chemistry (8462) differs in that students cover additional content within each of these areas of study.

In Physics, students follow either the GCSE AQA Combined Science Trilogy (8465) specification or GCSE AQA Physics (8463) specification. All students cover the following areas of study: Energy; Particle Model of Matter; Atomic Structure; Electricity; Waves; Forces and Magnetism & Electromagnetism.  AQA Physics (8463) differs in that students cover additional content in each of these areas, as well as the additional area of Space Physics.

Years 12 and 13

In Biology, students follow the A Level OCR Biology A (H420) specification. Students cover Module 1 – Development of practical skills in biology; Module 2 – Foundations in biology; Module 3 – Exchange and transport; Module 4 – Biodiversity, evolution and disease; Module 5 – Communication, homeostasis and energy and Module 6 – Genetics, evolution and ecosystems. The students also complete a practical endorsement over the two years of study.

In Chemistry, students follow the A Level OCR Chemistry A (H432) specification. Students cover Module 1 – Development of practical skills in chemistry; Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry; Module 3 – Periodic table and energy; Module 4 – Core organic chemistry; Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements and Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis. The students also complete a practical endorsement over the two years of study.

In Physics, students follow the A Level AQA Physics (7408) specification. The following areas of study are covered: Measurements and their errors; Particles and radiation; Waves; Mechanics and materials; Electricity; Further mechanics and thermal physics; Fields and their consequences; Nuclear physics and Turning points in physics. Students also complete 12 required practicals over the two years of study, which can result in them being awarded the Practical Endorsement with their Physics A Level.