The Dearne High: A Specialist humanities college

Science curriculum overview

Throughout Years 7-11 students cover a balanced, differentiated curriculum in science, which aims to develop independent learners with sound key skills:

Primary Transition – KS2

During Year 6, students from our primary partner schools work towards gaining their Science Passport.  This transition project aims to develop some of the essential practical skills that students will need in Year 7, whilst covering some aspects of topics they will meet at key stage 3.

KS3

Year 7

Throughout year 7 students cover topics including cells, electrical circuits and simple chemical reactions, which are aimed at providing a sound basis of knowledge, understanding and wide skill base which will support them in Y8 and beyond.  Students are encouraged to develop their scientific enquiry skills through a range off hands-on practical activities and project tasks.

Year 8

Throughout year 8 students further develop the knowledge, understanding and skills introduced in year 7, covering topics including healthy eating, microbes and disease, light and sound and magnetism.  Lessons continue to support students of varying learning styles and involve lots of kinaesthetic activities to encourage students to improve their practical skills further.

year 9

In year 9 students consolidate their learning and prepare for SATs exams through a rigorous programme, which revisits key areas of the curriculum whilst ensuring every child has the necessary scientific enquiry skills and exam preparation to achieve their target level in the SATs.  Selected students are invited to attend off site revision conferences to support their revision further.

KS4

From September 2007 all KS4 students will follow the Double GCSE: Edexcel 360 Science + Additional Science.  This balanced course covers a wide range of topics, which are underpinned by a focus on how science works in everyday life.  Each unit is assessed by a multi-choice exam (worth 60% of the final mark) and Internal standard assessment (40% of the final mark), which replaces the traditional coursework.