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St Martin's School

St Martin's School

Virtual Learning Site

Science

Science

The Science Department at St Martin’s school consists of 8 specialist teachers who are willing to go the extra mile, to make sure all learners reach their full potential.  The students have excellent facilities available to them, with 6 specifically designed teaching laboratories that are well equipped with interactive whiteboards and I-PADS, which are regularly used to enhance learning in science lessons.  A new stem laboratory has also just been refurbished and this allows students to apply their scientific knowledge to technology and engineering projects.  This has proved very successful, especially with year 6 students from the feeder primary schools, with them having weekly science lessons at the school.

KS3 Science

Students often have questions about the world around them such as: -

  • Why is the sky blue?
  • Will we ever cure cancer?
  • What is the universe made of?

 

The skills and techniques taught throughout KS3 allow them opportunities to find explanations to their questions. The KS3 course follows the national curriculum and engages learners at many levels, linking direct practical experience with scientific ideas. Experiments and models are used to develop and evaluate explanations, encouraging critical and creative thought. Pupils learn how knowledge and understanding in science have developed from a foundation based on evidence.

KS4 Science

GCSE Science (Double Award)

Candidates entering for the WJEC GCSE Science (Double Award) qualification will complete six units (two Biology, two Chemistry and two Physics) plus two controlled assessment tasks. Three external examinations (for Biology, Chemistry and Physics units) will be taken at the end of Year 10, and a further three external examinations will be taken at the end of Year 11. The controlled assessment tasks are taken in the spring term of Year 11 and are externally marked. No examinations are available in January, but pupils are able to re-sit any of the units from Year 10 at the end of Year 11. This will result in a double grade in Science.

GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Biology (Triple Science)

The Separate Science qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics each consist of two units with external examinations taken at the end of Year 10 and 11. One controlled assessment task for each qualification is taken in the spring term of Year 11 and is externally marked. No examinations are available in January, but pupils are able to re-sit the first unit at the end of Year 11.  This will result in three GCSE qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

KS5 Science

Biology

The teachers within the Biology department are approachable and are always happy to help learners with any problems they may encounter in their studies. The AS and A Level Biology courses are based on the WJEC examination board specifications and include the following topic headings.

AS LEVEL

  • Unit1:Cell Organisation and Basic Biochemistry
  • Unit 2: Biodiversity and Physiology of Body Systems

A LEVEL

  • Unit 3: Energy, Homeostasis and Environment
  • Unit 5: Variation, Inheritance and Options
  • Unit 6: Practical Examination

Chemistry

The Chemistry department has adopted a practical approach to teaching chemistry and practical work is carried out as often as possible.  The teachers are also very approachable and enjoy helping learners reach their full potential.

The AS and A Level Chemistry courses are based on the WJEC specifications and include the following topics:

AS LEVEL

  • Unit 1: The Language of Chemistry, Structure of Matter and Simple Reactions
  • Unit 2: Energy, Rate and Chemistry of Carbon Compounds

A LEVEL

  • Unit 3: Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
  • Unit 4: Organic Chemistry and Analysis
  • Unit 5: Practical Examination
  •  

Physics

The Physics department prides itself on the approachability of its staff and their enthusiasm for the subject. The AS and A Level Physics courses are based on the WJEC exam board specification and include the following topics:

AS LEVEL

  • Unit 1: Motion, Energy and Matter
  • Unit 2: Electricity and Light

A LEVEL

  • Unit 3: Oscillations and Nuclei
  • Unit 4: Fields and Options

Unit 6: Practical Examination

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