Science

Intent

Science at BBAB offers learning in the following areas:

Year 9 students commence their studies for the nationally recognised Gateway Level 1 Award in Applied Science. Year 9 are encouraged to learn about microscopy to enhance prior learning on cells. This is developed further as learners are taught the basics of identifying animal groups from species collected on leaf litter “safari”. This learning feeds into study about ecology, where we use local facilities and open spaces to give the learners access to the natural world. Our close links with the Maths department help the learners to make bar charts and kite graphs to help describe the distribution of key species.

We work closely with the food department in a module called Healthy living. Learners study what diet keeps a person healthy in the long term. We also study how various factors such as lifestyle, exercise and diet can affect our overall health.

In year 10, learners have several opportunities open to them. We can offer level 1 Certificate, which studies different content at the same level such as Electronics in action, where learners can build working electronic circuits. The learners are also given the opportunity to take measurements of current and voltage. Again our strong links with the Maths department help the children to learn how to calculate resistance, resistivity and other factors that would be useful for those children wishing to pursue careers as electricians. Some learners may wish to embark on their level 2 studies. This can take the form of the Gateway Applied Science and also an opportunity to study GCSE at a level appropriate to the child.

By year 11, students will have built a large body of evidence. They are also offered the chance to create their own project work. We will offer a range of prebuilt projects, but we can also design bespoke project work, in discussion with your child, that can be accredited under the Gateway Applied Science qualification.

We also intend to offer curriculum trips to Sea life centres and Kent wildlife Trust sites. We have also run successful trips to the Science museum in conjunction with the Maths department. This year we are doing a similar activity with the English department. Our summer school activities have been widely appreciated by our young people, leading one of our learners to say:

“Wow!   Science is in EVERYTHING!”

Implementation

Key to implementing the science technology curriculum is ensuring that pupils:

• develop critical thinking skills;
• develop an ability to analyse;
• carry out high-level problem solving.

We have created a knowledge-led curriculum to achieve these objectives and demonstrate impact which are built on a structured ladder of qualifications.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum - Year 9

All students follow two courses in Healthy Living and The Nature and Application of Energy, Waves and Radiation. This teaches them about looking after the bodies and minds of themselves and others as well as about the way energy works. This coupled with trips to the Sea Life Centre, Greenwich Observatory, the Hawking Centre and Wingham Wildlife Park round out and balance their experiences throughout the year. All students end Year 9 entering for the Level 1 Award in Science and Technology.

If food technology is chosen as an option, students will move on to the Level 2 Award and Certificate in Science and Technology (Years 10/11) where they will have the opportunity to stretch themselves to Merit and Distinction levels. Students will study courses in:

• Biology and our Environment
• Healthy Living
• Effective Communication in the workplace
• Using ICT in the workplace

These courses have been carefully chosen to equip students with skills they can use in life and in their future careers. They will empower students to:

• Understand and look after their environment and make informed decisions about how to best utilise global resources.
• Tailor their exercise and dietary plans to match changing needs.
• Understand how best to communicate with others in a working environment.
• Be able to exploit a wide range of ICT tools in the workplace, within a scientific context.

The course also develops the learners’ time management and team working skills as well ask encouraging them to reflect on how science in the workplace works in real life.

To view our curriculum maps for Science, please click here.

To view our knowledge oragnisers for Science, please click here.