What will we learn in Science at WGSA?

Biology is the Science of living organisms (including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms) and their interactions with each other and the environment. The study of Biology involves collecting and interpreting information about the natural world to identify patterns and relate possible cause and effect. Biology is used to help humans improve their own lives and to understand the world around them.

Chemistry is the science of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter, understood in terms of atoms, atomic particles, and the way they are arranged and link together. It is concerned with the synthesis, formulation, analysis and characteristic properties of substances and materials of all kinds.

Physics is the science of the fundamental concepts of field, force, radiation, and particle structures, which are inter-linked to form unified models of the behaviour of the material universe. From such models, a wide range of ideas, from the broadest issue of the development of the universe over time to the numerous and detailed ways in which new technologies may be invented, have emerged. These have enriched both our basic understanding of, and our many adaptations to, our material environment.

At Key Stage 4, students follow either AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy or AQA Biology/Chemistry/Physics:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463

How do we encourage students to succeed in Science at WGSA?

Students are encouraged to problem solve and come up with their own conclusions about their observations of the world around them. This will be developed by providing descriptions, explanations, and examples of the physical world around them, as well as developing models and ideas of the world beyond our own vision.

In Science, we support students with gaps in their knowledge by providing key words and definitions in lessons, articulating word stems to enable students to infer meaning from unfamiliar words and completing worked examples of questions on the board.

How do Science lessons at WGSA help students to prepare for the world of work?

The principal focus of Science is to develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students will see the connections between these subject areas and become aware of some of the big ideas underpinning scientific knowledge and understanding. This prepares students for the world of work by encouraging them to critically think about problems and solve them in a pragmatic manner.

How we promote WGSA’s vision and values in our Science lessons?

The Science curriculum has been developed to be ambitious and develop students belief that they are able to succeed. It hopes to bring a love of the natural world and give students the courage to challenge ideas without evidence. We encourage integrity in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.