To become the best person you can be
Weatherfield Academy
Science
Learning Pathway
Lower School
‘Ready for Independence’
When pupils enter the Lower School, there is a growing expectation that scientific learning will become increasingly more independent, however, supported through teacher modelling, group work and paired learning. Lessons often involve team leaders, pupils recording, carrying out investigations and applying learnt concepts.
Science lessons also become stand alone as the subject begins to enter a discipline stage in their learning. Hamilton Trust (all work and schemes can be accessed from home) becomes the staple of learning activities. This syllabus is a best fit, as pupils' learning is often individualised and differentiated to accommodate rates of acquired learning.
All lessons are fun, creative and explorative. They challenge pupils with new concepts supported by novel approaches.
Within this phase, pupils receive one hour of science per week as a stand-alone subject. However, much of the content links to maths and English and other foundation subjects.
Key Stage 4
‘Ready for my Future’
Readiness using science within this key stage prepares pupils for exams, certification and college. Key Stage science continues to support pupils with new concepts, consolidating old ones and increasingly, linking the subject matter to a wider world that they are familiar with. For example, pupils learn about circuits, how these occur in the home, the possible dangers and possible trade-related careers.
Certification becomes one of the main focuses during Key Stage 4, as unit awards and Entry Level awards are earned. Pupils doing Entry Level certification (pre-GCSE) are required to sit formal exams and undertake teacher-designed assessed work (TDA’s). Pupils can earn a single or double award and the subject within Key Stage 4 is defined by its universal subject titles, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
Again, secure links with science and PSHCE is made and many of the life skills associated with safety around substances, sexual hygiene and development are made.
Key Stage 5
‘Ready for Work’
When pupils enter Key Stage 5, they are now equipped with the rudiments of science and its application to the real world. This allows them to consider and maintain the environment, the care of animals and how to apply learnt approaches to study. For example, pupils in Key Stage 5 have an understanding of how to carry out an investigation, by presenting an idea, locating resources, applying and designing a method and reporting on findings.
As a stand-alone subject, Science is no longer taught. It is now very much integrated into the whole of the Key Stage 5 curriculum having completed a full cycle from being ready to learn in Key Stage 2, to being very much ready for work at the end of their college life at Weatherfield.
Curriculum Content
Curriculum content shows the topics that each key stage will be working on for the year. Click the key stage you wish to preview.
If you would like further information about our Science curriculum please contact Mr J Leer, Leader of Science, via the Academy office or by email: jleer@weatherfield.beds.sch.uk