Springwell Dene School

Science

Science stimulates and excites pupils' curiosity about phenomena and events in the world around them. It also satisfies this curiosity with knowledge. Because science links direct practical experience with ideas, it can engage learners at many levels. Scientific method is about developing and evaluating explanations through experimental evidence and modelling. This is a spur to critical and creative thought. Through science, pupils understand how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change - impacting on industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. Pupils recognise the cultural significance of science and trace its worldwide development. They learn to question and discuss science-based issues that may affect their own lives, the direction of society and the future of the world.

Science at key stage 3
Aims and purposes of science
• During key stage 3 pupils build on their scientific knowledge and understanding and make connections between different areas of science.
• They use scientific ideas and models to explain phenomena and events, and to understand a range of familiar applications of science.
• They think about the positive and negative effects of scientific and technological developments on the environment and in other contexts.

Science at Key Stage 4
Pupils at Springwell Dene are given the opportunity at KS4 to study Science in a manner which allows gradual progression from KS3 but allows accreditation for their efforts at all levels. It is not necessary for candidates to have studied Science before commencing work on this programme of study and no prior knowledge of the subject is necessary, although of course prior knowledge raises the expected level of attainment.

Students follow a modular examination system at KS4. This entails completing 3 examinations in year 10 and 3 in year 11. The average mark for the 6 topics gives the overall final examination. There are two tiers of assessment for the units which are objective tests: Foundation (G−C) and Higher (D−A*). The centre-assessed unit is not tiered.
The objective tests are available as paper-based and on-screen tests in school.