Science

Curriculum Intent

The aim of the science curriculum is to promote a love of learning through developing inquiring minds that show curiosity about science and the natural world. We aspire for our students to acquire the powerful knowledge needed to question models and secure and challenge their conceptual understanding.  

We want our students to develop scientific skills of inquiry: to explore through experimental design and evaluate scientific evidence to draw conclusions. They should be able to communicate scientific ideas, explanations, arguments and practical experiences accurately in a variety of ways. 

From their experience of the science curriculum, students should excel in thinking analytically, critically and creatively to solve problems, judge arguments and make decisions in scientific and other contexts and have a keen understanding of the international nature of science and the interdependence of science, technology and society. 

Results

In Combined Science last year, 40.9% of students achieved grades 9 to 5; and 62.9% achieved grades 9 to 4.

In Separate Sciences 100% of students achieved grade 9 to 5 in Biology and Chemistry, 88.9% achieved grade 9-5 in Physics

What we study – Topic Overview

 Term 1Term 2Term 3Term 4Term 5Term 6
Year 7Introduction to ScienceEnergy /
Substances
Cells / ParticlesForces / Elements and Compounds How Calles Work / Simple Circuits Acids & Alkalis / Waves and Sound  
Year 8Waves and Sound / Ecosystems  Energy Transfers / ReproductionPeriodic Table / Digestion / ForcesBacteria / Waves and Electromagnetic SpectrumRepresenting Reactions / CirculationElectricity in the Home / Chemistry in Action / Photosynthesis
Year 9GCSE Physics:
Energy / GCSE Biology:
Cell Structure
GCSE Chemistry:
Atomic Structure
GCSE Physics: Energy Heating / GCSE Biology: Cell DivisionGCSE Chemistry:
Periodic Table / GCSE Physics: Energy Resources
GCSE Biology: Organisation and Digestive System /  GCSE Chemistry:
Energy Changes
GCSE Biology: Organising Animals and Plants / GCSE Physics: Circuits
Year 10GCSE Biology:  Non-communicable Diseases / GCSE Chemistry: Structure and Bonding / GCSE Physics:  Domestic ElectricityGCSE Chemistry: Chemical Calculations / GCSE Physics: Particle Model / GCSE Chemistry: Chemical ChangeGCSE Biology:
Photosynthesis /  GCSE Chemistry: Electrolysis / GCSE Physics:
Atomic Structure
GCSE Biology:
Respiration
GCSE Chemistry:
Rate & Extent of
Chemical Change / GCSE Biology:
Homeostasis
GCSE Biology: Hormonal Control / GCSE Biology: Reproduction
Year 11GCSE Biology: Hormonal Control / GCSE Biology:
Reproduction / GCSE Physics:
Forces in Balance / GCSE Biology: Variation, Inheritance & Evolution
GCSE Chemistry:  Organic Chemistry / GCSE Physics: MotionGCSE Chemistry: Chemical Analysis / GCSE Physics: Waves / GCSE Biology: Adaptations and InterdependenceGCSE Chemistry:  Atmosphere / GCSE Biology: Ecology / GCSE Physics: Magnetism & ElectromagnetismGCSE Chemistry: Using Resources / GCSE Physics:
Space Physics  
 

How we assess

Assessment in Year 7 and Year 8 Science takes place through a range of processes, including: bi-termly assessments, end of topic assessments, understanding checkpoints in lesson, homework assessment for learning, evidence produced in lessons in the form of carrying out practicals, drawing tables, graphs, diagrams, presentations, ’big writes’, interactive tasks and whiteboard quizzes.

Assessment in Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 Science consists of an assessment every other term with exam questions drawn from any area of the curriculum studied so far, but weighted towards more recent topics. In addition, students will be assessed on the quality of their written and spoken work during lessons and homework, and end-of-topic tests. Year 11 take a series of preliminary exams in term 3, and year 10 a similar set in term 4.

Meet the team

Mr Will Skelton – Head of Department

Mrs Imogen Parnell – Deputy Head of Department

Mrs Pebbles Morley – Deputy Headteacher

Mr Andrew Robinson – Lead Practitioner

Ms Kela Lee – Assistant Headteacher

Mr Christopher Budd – Science Teacher

Mr Ismaila Idowu – Science Teacher

Miss Emma Duncan – Science Teacher

Curriculum Allocation

All students study Science throughout their time at The Dorcan Academy.

Across years 7 and 8 in Key Stage 3, Science has 8 lessons a fortnight.

In year 9 students begin studying for GCSE and have 7 lessons of science a fortnight. In year 10 students have 9 lessons of science per fortnight, and year 11 have 8 lessons. Students who have chosen separate Science as an option receive an additional five lessons per fortnight in years 10 and 11.

Enrichment Opportunities

Students in year 7 and year 8 attend a weekly science club. Year 8 students will be visiting the Natural History Museum.

BBC Bitesize KS3        KS3 Science – BBC Bitesize

BBC Bitesize KS4        GCSE Science – BBC Bitesize

FreeScienceLessons – excellent revision videos        freesciencelessons | The very best in science education

AQA – our exam board         AQA | Subjects | Science

Seneca Learning – our online revision and prep resource Free Homework & Revision for A Level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2

Cognito Science – excellent revision videos Cognito – YouTube

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ASPIRE TOGREATNESS
The Dorcan Academy
St. Paul’s Drive
Covingham, Swindon
Wiltshire SN3 5DA
Switchboard: 01793 525231
Fax: 01793 431461
Email: enquiries@dorcan.co.uk
The Dorcan Academy is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales under company number 07831414. The registered office is St. Paul’s Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 5DA.
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