Science at OIAMFS aims to ensure that all students:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding by studying units of biology, chemistry and physics

• Develop understanding of the processes and methods of science through practical and investigative learning that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• Students will become equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

The science department is committed to providing students with opportunities to complete practical learning and to engage in science through the application of relatable and exciting contexts. 

KEY STAGE 3

At KS3, our students learn about the following topics:

These topics provide the foundation for Key Stage 4.

KEY STAGE 4

Students begin studying their dual-award (combined) GCSE science in Year 10. This allows students time to come to grips with an ever-expanding subject content and develop important exam skills. Students are taught by subject specialists in Biology, Chemistry and Physics to ensure they are receiving the highest quality of learning possible, and are able to explore their developing interests in each scientific discipline with relevant support.

Based on student attainment in Year 10 science there is an option for students to pursue the separate sciences course (Triple Science), instead of the combined science (dual-award). This course is much more competitive and should be considered by students wanting to study science at A-level and further education. 

What’s the difference between Combined Science and Separate Science? Aside from the longer terminal assessments students in separate sciences will cover more science content, for the most part this is completing all of the same topics but with additional lessons with more varied content, such as including plant diseases in the topic on infection and response, the study of nanoparticles in the chemistry topic of particles and bonding and the study of nuclear fission and fusion in the physics topic of atomic structure. Students will also complete an extra topic of “space” in separate Physics.  

The assessments for combined science and separate sciences are as follows:

Dual award (AQA Combined Science: Trilogy)

• 6 x 1 hour 15 minute exams.
• Biology 1,
• Biology 2,
• Chemistry 1,
• Chemistry 2,
• Physics 1 and
• Physics 2

Each of these assessments are split into 3 assessment objectives:

• 40% AO1: Recall of science knowledge
• 40% AO2: Application of science knowledge
• 20% AO3: Data handling, interpretation and representation

Separate Sciences (AQA Biology, Chemistry and Physics)

• 6 x 1 hour 45 minute exams
• Biology 1,
• Biology 2,
• Chemistry 1,
• Chemistry 2,
• Physics 1 and
• Physics 2.

Each of these assessments are split into 3 assessment objectives:

• 40% AO1: Recall of science knowledge
• 40% AO2: Application of science knowledge
• 20% AO3: Data handling, interpretation and representation

What’s the difference between “Double and Triple” Science?

Aside from the longer terminal assessments students in separate sciences will cover more science content, for the most part this is completing all of the same topics but with additional lessons with more varied content, such as including plant diseases in the topic on infection and response, the study of nanoparticles in the chemistry topic of particles and bonding and the study of nuclear fission and fusion in the physics topic of atomic structure. Students will also complete an extra topic of “space” in separate Physics. 

What Parents/Carers can do to help:

Your child has been given a Knowledge Organiser for each topic they study. This summarizes the key information they must know if they are to be successful in this subject. Please encourage them to learn this off by heart and revise topics regularly.