Science
At Kings Norton Girls’ School, our intent is to share our passion for science to broaden our students’ understanding of scientific principles, to foster their curiosity, and to challenge them to think critically, so they are prepared for decision-making in an increasingly advanced world. Our spiral curriculum is ambitious, and designed to incrementally deepen understanding throughout KS3 to KS5. Our specialist teachers utilise their expertise to tailor and adapt their lessons so that learning is both accessible and ambitious, thereby advancing scientific understanding for all students working at all levels.
We emphasise numeracy and literacy skills in our lessons to develop the ability to interpret information accurately and to articulate ideas scientifically. Practical work is a cornerstone of our curriculum, equipping students with investigative skills through the use of a wide range of scientific equipment and technology. This hands-on approach also fosters teamwork, problem solving and communication skills. We actively teach metacognitive strategies to support their growth as reflective, lifelong learners. To facilitate continuous learning beyond the classroom we offer weekly support sessions, and instruct students on the effective use of textbooks, revision materials and electronic learning tools that we provide. Within our curriculum, and though our trips and clubs, we promote personal development by emphasising diversity, inclusion, cultural capital, and awareness of how science is involved in a wide range of careers.
KS3 Curriculum
Our KS3 programme aims to provide students of all abilities with a foundation of knowledge and skills that will enable them to access complex concepts. At KS3 we cover the full National Curriculum, ensuring content is broad and balanced. Our curriculum is ambitious and seeks to provide students with opportunities to become independent, resilient learners as well as critical thinkers, providing transferable skills to all aspects of their lives. We use the ‘Activate’ course to support the Year 7 & 8 curriculum as this applies scientific principles to the real world so that students have a scientific understanding of how the world around them works and the role of science in society.
In Year 9, pupils revisit and deepen their understanding in our spiral curriculum, creating a smooth transition into the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Science course. Practical skills are also further developed and the students will take part in Maths for Science lessons so they are equipped for the step up to GCSE. By transitioning to GCSE in Year 9 we are able to deliver the content with greater depth and help to give pupils a clearer understanding about the combined science and separate sciences pathways that run throughout Years 10 and 11.
In Year 7 the students explore the following topics:
- Biology: cells, tissues, organs and organ systems, reproduction
- Chemistry: elements, atoms and compounds, reactions, acids and alkalis
- Physics: forces, sound, light, space
In Year 8 the students explore the following topics:
- Biology: health and lifestyle, ecosystem processes, adaptations and inheritance
- Chemistry: the periodic table, separation techniques, metals and acids, the Earth and its structure
- Physics: electricity and magnetism, energy, motion
In Year 9 the students explore the following topics:
- Biology: cell structure, specialised cells, cell division, stem cells, enzymes, the nervous system
- Chemistry: states of matter, methods of separating and purifying substances, atomic structure and bonding, obtaining and using metals
- Physics: forces, motion and energy
- Maths for Science: scientific notation, unit conversions, rearranging formulae, graphing and percentage change
KS4 Curriculum
At KS4 students are taught by specialist teachers for the three areas of science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
There are two pathways at Key Stage 4, and students follow the pathway that is most likely to lead to their success and which matches their interests. The ethos of the department is to inspire students to be interested in science and to develop the curiosity and motivation to further explore topics. We encourage students to be aware of the relevance of science to our everyday life. The two pathways are:
1. COMBINED SCIENCE
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Combined Science Specification code 1SC0
Students who study combined science, gain a qualification worth the equivalent of two GCSEs, both of the same grade. The course has an equal amount of biology, chemistry and physics, which will be taught by specialist teachers. This course can lead to A Level study in any science, but it would be preferable for students to study separate sciences at GCSE if they are considering further study in one or more of the science subjects. The exam papers are available at the Higher tier (grades 4-9) and Foundation tier (grade 1-5).
YEAR 10 COMBINED SCIENCE TOPICS
Biology
- Topic 1: Key concepts in biology
- Topic 2: Cells & control
- Topic 3: Genetics
- Topic 4: Natural selection & gene modification
- Topic 5: Health, disease & the development of medicines
Chemistry
- Topic 1: Calculations involving masses
- Topic 3: Acids and Electrolytic processes
- Topic 4: Reversible reactions and equilibria (Foundation Students only)
- Topic 6: Groups in the periodic table
- Topic 7: Heat energy changes in chemical reactions
Physics
- Topic 4: Waves
- Topic 5: The electromagnetic spectrum
- Topic 6: Radioactivity
- Topic 7: Forces doing Work
- Topic 8: Forces and their Effects
- Topic 9: Electricity and Circuits
YEAR 11 COMBINED SCIENCE TOPICS
Biology
- Topic 6: Plant structures and their functions
- Topic 7: Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
- Topic 8: Exchange and transport in animals
- Topic 9: Ecosystems and material cycles
Chemistry
- Topic 7: Rates of reaction
- Topic 4: Reversible reactions and equilibria (Higher Students only)
- Topic 8: Fuels and Earth science
Physics
- Topic 10 Magnetism
- Topic 11 Electromagnetic Induction
- Topic 12 The Particle Model
- Topic 13 Forces and Matter
2. SEPARATE SCIENCES
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Biology Specification code 1BI0
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Chemistry Specification code 1CH0
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physics Specification code 1PH0
The study of separate sciences leads to three GCSE qualifications – biology, chemistry and physics. This is a more demanding course in which topics are studied in greater depth in addition to more breadth. It is especially suitable for students who have a passion for science, and are considering further study of one or more of the science subjects at A-Level. Some students will be given the opportunity to study separate science. These students will be identified in the spring term by the science department through science assessments. Students who take separate sciences will be sitting exam papers at the Higher tier (grades 4-9).
YEAR 10 SEPARATE SCIENCE TOPICS
Biology
- Topic 1: Key concepts in biology
- Topic 2: Cells & control
- Topic 3: Genetics
- Topic 4: Natural selection & gene modification
Chemistry
- Topic 1: Calculations involving masses
- Topic 3: Acids and Electrolytic processes
- Topic 5: Separate chemistry 1
- Topic 6: Groups in the periodic table
- Topic 7: Heat energy changes in chemical reactions
- Topic 8: Earth and atmospheric science
Physics
- Topic 4: Waves
- Topic 5: The electromagnetic spectrum
- Topic 6: Radioactivity
- Topic 7: Astronomy
- Topic 8: Forces doing Work
- Topic 9: Forces and their Effects
- Topic 10: Electricity and Circuits
- Topic 11 Static Electricity
YEAR 11 SEPARATE SCIENCE TOPICS
Biology
- Topic 5: Health, disease & the development of medicines
- Topic 6: Plant structures and their functions
- Topic 7: Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
- Topic 8: Exchange and transport in animals
- Topic 9: Ecosystems and material cycles
Chemistry
- Topic 7: Rates of reaction and energy changes
- Topic 8: Fuels
- Topic 9: Separate chemistry 2
Physics
- Topic 12 Magnetism
- Topic 13 Electromagnetic Induction
- Topic 14 The Particle Model
- Topic 15 Forces and Matter
KS5 Curriculum
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Extra-curricular activities
KNGS pupils are offered exciting opportunities to explore science on trips and in our science clubs. Science trips enrich our curriculum by allowing pupils to conduct outdoor investigations, explore science at zoos and museums like the National Space Centre, and allow pupils to appreciate the role of scientists in research and industrial facilities such as at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider and on the Y12 Biology field course. Our explosive, themed science clubs, such as Halloween Science Club, are incredibly well attended and we aim to inspire scientific curiosity. A Level students that have an ambition to be a doctor, dentist or veterinarian attend our Medics Society, which deepens their understanding of the careers and guides them through the entry process. At KNGS all pupils are encouraged to take part in science extra-curricular activities to inspire as many pupils as possible.