Science
The Science department is committed to an active learning approach and lessons have a strong practical investigative basis.
Throughout their time at school students are encourage to be curious and develop their own ideas so that Science is seen as an interesting, exciting and rewarding experience.
The Science department has an enthusiastic team of 13 specialist teachers supported by three highly qualified science technicians. We are housed in ten labs (including two sixth form labs) and have recently completed a refurbishment program so our teaching and preparation facilities are modern and pleasant to work in. We have excellent ICT resources in our labs and a first class VLE.
Balcarras Science Department Intent
We aim that all Students will:
Enjoy science and have a curiosity about the universe*
Enjoy an appropriate level of challenge
Are well equipped to sit national exams
Can understand and apply scientific ideas, language and principles to life outside the classroom
(*no evidence yet exists for anything beyond our observable universe)
Link to the whole school aims:
Our first aim is to foster an enjoyment of science through a mixture of practical and theoretical work
Scientific knowledge and skills are essential; we deliver achievement in this area
All students are given access to an ambitious and appropriate level of challenge
We offer lots of opportunity for extra-curricular clubs and events
We equip students with the skills to contribute positively to their community and consistently encourage resilience and self-reliance.
Science Learning Journey
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Year |
What students will learn |
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Biology |
Chemistry |
Physics |
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7 |
7B1 The Basics of Life 7B2 Ecosystems & Life Processes |
7C1 Physical Changes & the Particle Model 7C2 Atoms, Elements & Mixtures |
7P1 Waves & Space 7P2 Forces |
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8 |
8B1 The Body 8B2 DNA & Inheritance |
8C1 Properties of Elements 8C2 Chemical Reactions & the Earth |
8P1 Electricity & Magnetism 8P2 Energy |
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9 |
B1 Cell Biology B2a Organisation (Transport) B3 Infection & Response |
C5 Energy Changes C7 Organic Chemistry C8 Chemical Analysis C9 Chemistry of the Atmosphere C10 Using Resources |
P1a Energy Resources P2a Electricity P5a Forces & Motion |
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10 |
B2b Organisation (Diseases & Enzymes) B4 Bioenergetics B7 Ecology |
C1 Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table C2 Bonding, Structure & Properties of Matter C6 Rate & Extent of Chemical Change |
P1b Energy P2b Electricity P3 Particle Model of Matter P4 Atomic Structure |
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11 |
B5 Homeostasis B6 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution |
C3 Quantitative Chemistry C4 Chemical Changes |
P5b Forces P6 Waves P7 Magnetism & Electromagnetism |
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12 |
1 Biological Molecules 2 Cells 3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment 4 Genetic information, variation and relationship between organisms |
2 Foundations in Chemistry 3 Periodic Table and Energy 4 Core Organic Chemistry 5 Enthalpy and Transition Elements 6 Aromatics and Carbonyls |
2 Mechanics 3 Electricity 4 Materials 5 Waves |
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13 |
5 Energy transfers in and between organisms 6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environment 7 Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems 8 The control of gene expression |
5 Physical Chemistry & Transition Elements 6 Organic Chemistry & Analysis |
6 & 12 Further Mechanics & Gravity 7a Electric Fields 7b Magnetic Fields 8 Particle Physics 9 Thermal Physics 10 Space 11 Nuclear Radiation 13 Simple Harmonic Motion |
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Environmental Science |
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12 |
1 The living Environment 2 The Physical Environment 3 Life Processes in the biosphere & conservation planning |
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13 |
3 Energy Resources & Environmental Pollution 4 Biological Resources and Sustainability |
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Curriculum map Science Key Stage 3 and GCSE
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Year group |
Subject |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
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Y7 |
Biology |
EXAM w/c 25th |
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Chemistry |
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Physics |
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Y8 |
Biology |
Revision |
EXAM w/c 13th |
Working scientifically |
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Chemistry |
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Physics |
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Balcarras Science Department Curriculum Map Years 9 – 11 Examination
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Year |
Subject |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
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Y9 |
Bio. |
EXAM |
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Chem. |
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Phys. |
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Y10 |
Bio. |
B4 Bioenergetics |
EXAM |
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Chem. |
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Phys. |
P1b Energy |
P2b Electricity |
P3 Particle model of matter |
P4 Atomic structure |
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Y11 |
Bio. |
B5 Homeostasis |
MOCKS
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B6 Inheritance, variation and evolution |
Y9+Y10 B Revision |
Practice Papers |
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Chem. |
C3 Quantitative Chemistry |
C4 Chemical Changes |
Y9+Y10 C Revision |
Practice Papers |
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Phys. |
P5b Forces and motion |
P6 Waves |
P7 Magnetism |
Y9+Y10 P Revision |
Practice Papers |
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Curriculum map A level Biology
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Year group |
Subject |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
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Y12 |
Teacher 1 |
Exams |
Yr 13: Studying Populations |
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Teacher 2 |
Maths Skills and Exam Technique |
Exam |
Yr 13: Studying Populations |
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Y13 |
Teacher 1 |
Mocks |
Essay technique & Maths skills |
Revision & Exams |
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Teacher 2 |
Mocks |
Essay technique & Maths skills |
Revision & Exams |
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Curriculum map A level Chemistry
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Year group |
Subject |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
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Y12 |
Teacher 1 |
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Compounds, formulae and equations.
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Revision and Exam |
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Teacher 2 |
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Unit 4 test |
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Revision and Exam |
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Y13 |
Teacher 1 |
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Test (Unit 5)
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Practice Paper 1
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Exam w/c 3rd (full paper 1 plus a second paper which is a mix of paper 2 and 3)
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6.2.1 Amines 6.2.3 Polyesters and Polyamides
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6.2.4 Carbon–carbon bond formation 6.3.1 Chromatography and qualitative analysis
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Practice Papers (1,2 and 3) |
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Teacher 2 |
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Exam w/c 3rd
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6.1.3 Carboxylic acids and esters 6.2.2 Amino acids, amides and chirality
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Test (Unit 6)
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Practice Papers (1, 2 and 3) |
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Curriculum map A level Environmental Science
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Year group |
Subject |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
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Y12 |
Teacher 1 |
Global Climate Change
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Ozone Depletion
Test
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Exam fortnight
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Soils
Test |
River Survey |
Revision and Test |
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Teacher 2 |
Exam fortnight
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Conditions for life |
Revision |
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Y13 |
Teacher 1 |
Test
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Exam fortnight
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Dynamic equilibra
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Material cycles |
The circular economy |
Revision
Practice papers |
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Teacher 2 |
Exam Fortnight
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Curriculum map A level Physics
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Year group |
Subject |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
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Y12 |
Teacher 1 |
Topic 1 WAP |
Revision |
Modelling |
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Teacher 2 |
Topic 1 WAP |
Revision |
Modelling |
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Y13 |
Teacher 1 |
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Revision |
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Teacher 2 |
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Revision |
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Science Staff
| Mr A Spring Wallis | Head of Science, Physics |
| Mr G Towers | Assistant Head, Biology |
| Mr J Niblett | Head of Physics |
| Mrs J Taylor | Acting Second in Science, Chemistry & Biology |
| Mr S Brotherton | Head of A level Chemistry |
| Mrs Atkin | Assistant Head, Chemistry |
| Mrs K Taylor-Wood | Head of Biology |
| Mr P Godfrey | Physics |
| Mrs C Hearing | Chemistry |
| Mrs S Renton | Second in Science, Chemistry |
| Dr K Praki | Physics |
| Mr W Rothwell | Acting Head of Graveny, Biology |
| Mr J Butler | Biology and Environmental Science |
| Mrs L Thomson | Head of A Level Environmental Science |
| Mrs G Cannon | Head Technician |
| Mr M Howarth | Technician |
| Mrs H Taylor | Technician |
Key Stage 3
Pupils study the key stage 3 program of study in Years 7 and 8, supported by the Scientifica textbooks. Pupils receive front sheets for each topic so they know what will be covered and to help them plan revision. There are also extensive resources on our VLE and on the R drive. Pupils complete two levelled homeworks within each topic and a written test at the end of each topic. They also sit an exam at the end of each year.
All these results are used to track pupil progress and form the basis of setting Years 8 and 9.
Year 7 Units
| 7B1 | Cells, photosynthesis, reproduction |
| 7B2 | Ecosystems, digestion, health |
| 7C1 | Solids, liquids, gases, changes of state |
| 7C2 | Atoms, elements, compounds, separation |
| 7P1 | Light, sound, space |
| 7P2 | Fuel use and cost, energy resources |
Year 8 Units
| 8B1 | The Body |
| 8B2 | DNA & Inheritance |
| 8C1 | Properties of Elements |
| 8C2 | Chemical Reactions & the Earth |
| 8P1 | Electricity & Magnetism |
| 8P2 | Forces & Motion |
GCSE
Pupils start their GCSE science courses at the beginning of Year 9 with a view that the majority of students will gain two science GCSEs. They complete six GCSE topics; two each in biology, chemistry and physics. Each topic is assessed by two graded standard homeworks and a test.
Year 9 Units
| 9B1 | Cells |
| 9B2 | Transport in Organisms |
| 9C1 | Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table |
| 9C2 | Chemical Analysis & Water |
| 9P1 | Forces |
| 9P2 | Particles & EM Spectrum |
Students in Year 10 continue studying GCSE science, they complete twelve topics: four each in biology, chemistry and physics. Each topic is assessed by two graded standard homeworks and a test.
Year 10 Units
| 10B1 | Disease & Treatments |
| 10B2 | Plants & Photosynthesis |
| 10B3 | Environment & Ecology |
| 10B4 | Conservation |
| 10C1 | Rates of Reaction |
| 10C2 | Oils & Polymers |
| 10C3 | Earth’s Atmosphere and Resources |
| 10C4 | Metals |
| 10P1 | Energy |
| 10P2 | Waves |
| 10P3 | Matter |
| 10P4 | Energy Resources |
Students in Year 11 continue studying GCSE science, they complete nine topics: three each in biology, chemistry and physics. Each topic is assessed by two graded standard homeworks. Pupils also do a number of examination papers as mocks and for practice.
Year 11 Units
| 11B1 | Cells & Cell Division |
| 11B2 | Homeostasis |
| 11B3 | Inheritance & Evolution |
| 11C1 | Structure & Bonding |
| 11C2 | Electrolysis, Energy Changes & Equilibria |
| 11C3 | Acids, Neutralisation & Calculations |
| 11P1 | Forces |
| 11P2 | Electricity |
| 11P3 | Magnetism |
A Level
Sciences are extremely popular at Balcarras with take-up far above the national average. Grades are very high and value added scores amongst the highest in the sixth form. We benefit from highly qualified specialist staff teaching each of the disciplines. At present, four options are offered at A level – Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Applied Science.
| Biology A level follows the AQA curriculum is run by Miss Taylor. Also teaching biology are Mr Towers, Mr Rothwell, Mr Butler and Dr Jones. |
| Chemistry A level follows the OCR curriculum and is run by Mr Brotherton. Also teaching chemistry are Mrs Atkin, Mrs Hearing and Miss Evans. |
| Physics A level follows the Edexcel curriculum and is run by Mr Niblett. Also teaching physics are Mr Spring Wallis and Mr Godfrey. |
Environmental Science A level follows the AQA curriculum and is run by Mrs Hearing . Subject specialists take different units and this year Dr Jones, Mr Butler and Mrs Hearing are all taking units.
Our sixth form resources on the VLE are particularly well used by staff and students and we would always recommend this as a first port of call for information. We are also keen to encourage sixth form students to use resources beyond the classroom and you will find links to science websites, online tutorials and suggested viewing for TV documentaries on the VLE.
Trips
We have a thriving Science Club for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils run by Mr Rothwell and Mrs Flavell. In September 2014 we started a Lego Mindstorm club for Years 9 and 10 run by Dr Sharp. We have a number of links with local industries and institutions and often enter pupils into competitions and workshops with them.
Our biggest event of the year is the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) festival held in Science & Engineering Week. We have outside providers in to run workshops with pupils, scientists and engineers come in to work with pupils on specific projects.
We also run a series of lunchtime lectures. So far themes have included
- Working in Space
- The Science of Music
- Using Resources in the 21st Century
- Biotechnology
Over the years our guests have come from Magnox, GCHQ, Severn Trent, GE Aviation, Space Odyssey, AIS, Gamelan, West Midland Safari Park and others.
Future Possibilities
Many students from Balcarras take their study of science on to university. From Medicine to Aeronautical Engineering the possibilities available to those with qualifications in science are vast. Below is just a small selection of Balcarras students currently studying sciences at university.
- Sophie Ingledew is studying Veterinary Science at Cambridge University
- Mike Woodford is in his third year reading Engineering at Cambridge University
- Nicola Pearson is studying Medicine at Newcastle University
- James Courtney is reading Chemistry at Bath University