Science

Overview of Department

All children in science have access to a rich, ambitious curriculum which fosters curiosity, creativity and a life-long love of learning.

Curriculum Statement: Values and Aims

We aim to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding of science through the teaching of the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics; throughout which, we aim to develop pupils` awareness of how science impacts upon their everyday lives and to ensure that students have a firm grasp of the practical nature of the subject.

Pupils will be encouraged to adopt a critical approach based on scientific evidence and will strive to work independently. We aim to cultivate an environment conducive to learning where we encourage and value all opinions, ideas and contributions.

We aim to develop student resilience and pass upon to them the skills and knowledge that they need to make educated decisions later in life, with confidence, so that they are fearless and can solve their way through any of life's challenges. Therefore, preparing students with the skills they need for the next stage of education, employment or training and ultimately enabling them, as educated citizens, to contribute to a better world for all.

Key Stage 3 Science at Rye College

The Rye College Science ethos is that learning should be active and contextualised. We explore how Science fits into our everyday lives and how it challenges our understanding so that students appreciate key scientific concepts and its relevance.

At Key Stage Three, our students develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Units cover a variety of topics including cells, interdependence, particles, energy and forces.

Practical work is an important part of science teaching and we have meticulously integrated ‘working scientifically’ points throughout each year; to allow students to deepen their understanding of specific units. This enables students to develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them answer scientific questions. Students will fully plan and safely carry out investigations into such topics, collecting data which will then be analysed, graphically visualized and their method reflected upon to spark their sense of constant improvement to obtain the most accurate and reliable data to be able to make a valid conclusion from. Students are therefore encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Students are assessed at the end of each topic and receive feedback to enable them to reflect upon the progress they have made and then work independently to close gaps in their knowledge that they have identified.

GCSE Combined Science

Combined science provides the foundation for understanding the material world.  Scientific understanding is continuously changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity.  All students should learn essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.  They should gain appreciation of how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a small number of key ideas that relate to the three disciplines sciences and that they are inter-linked.

GCSE Combined Science, a double award GCSE course, provides students the opportunity to investigate and understand these key ideas, incorporating learning from across each of the three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics).  Students will get hands-on with a range of practical investigations, which are integrated into the course content, to create an interactive learning experience. 

GCSE Triple Science – GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry, and GCSE Physics

Students studying Triple Science will work towards three GCSE qualifications: one for each Science. This option is for students who are seriously considering the future study of science at A-level and university with a view to associated careers and for those who just love Science. We are an inclusive school and therefore welcome students of all abilities to enroll in our triple science option – our only criteria is that you have a passion for all things science!

Learning takes place in our newly refurbished and modern laboratories with theoretical work being illustrated by practical activities of which there are 8 per discipline. The three subjects are studied separately and assessed through examinations.

GCSE Biology

Students have the chance to gain a good understanding of human biology, organisms, evolution and the environment. The course will help put Biology in the context of students' everyday lives with topics ranging from ‘keeping healthy’ to ‘humans and their environment’.  The course is designed to help them understand how science can be used to explain the world in which they live and the impact of humans. Teachers are encouraged to develop students’ practical skills with hands-on work which helps to engage and enthuse them.  Students can see how science is used to solve problems ranging from cures for infectious diseases to creating bio-fuels.

GCSE Chemistry 

Chemistry gives students the opportunity to gain a good understanding of the nature of substances and how they react together; as well as how Chemistry is used in business and industry and how our use of raw materials in fuels and manufacturing can affect the global and local environment. The course is designed to help students understand how to formulate a scientific approach to understanding and explaining the world and solving problems. Many of the materials considered are substances that students will come across in their daily lives like drinking water, vegetable oils and metals. This helps engage students by putting their learning in context. Students are encouraged to develop practical skills with hands-on work which helps make the subject come alive in the classroom.

GCSE Physics 

Physics offers students the chance to gain a good understanding of the use and transfer of energy waves, radiation and space and the application of Physics in everyday life, such as the efficiency of electrical appliances, braking distances, as well as larger concepts like nuclear fission and fusion and evidence of the Big Bang.  Students will learn to ask and answer questions about the fundamental laws that govern natural phenomena.

Progression routes

GCSE Combined Science is designed to provide students with a strong grounding in scientific knowledge and methodology. This foundation forms the basis of modern understanding and will allow students to move onto more complex learning across the whole curriculum. Science forms the foundations for a range of social and human sciences such as Sociology and Psychology at A-Level, and Sports Science and Management.

GCSE Physics can open doors to future careers in engineering and construction. GCSE Chemistry can open doors to future careers in medicine and chemical industries. GCSE Biology can open the doors to future careers in medicine and the life sciences.

Science could also be a joint avenue for budding lawyers, journalists, photographers and artists. Environmental law is a very diverse and rewarding area of law that ensures companies and government adhere to legislation on climate control, sources of energy, hunting, pollution and Corporate Social Responsibility. There are many scientific magazines who need expert journalists to cover the latest developments in science, technology, health and the environment which also relies on passionate photographers and artists in the field to support such articles.