Menu

Sciences

Science

Staff within the Department

Mrs Patel                       - Head of Science

B.Sc. (Hons) Biochemistry, P.G.C.E. (Secondary) Science/Chemistry

Mrs Knight                    - Second in Science/Head of Biology

B.Sc. Biology, Dip.T.

Mrs Ferchichi                - Head of Chemistry

B.Sc. (Hons) Chemistry, P.G.C.E. (Secondary) Science/Chemistry

Mrs Heidari                    - Head of Physics

B.Sc. Cellular and Molecular Biology, P.G.C.E. (Secondary) Science/ Physics

Ms Yeong                      - Teacher of Science and Biology

B.Sc. (Hons) Biological Sciences. P.G.C.E. (Secondary) Science/Biology

Ms Sagajllo                   - KS4 Coordinator

B.Sc. (Hons) Science with Secondary Education

Ms Farrell                      - Teacher of Science/Chemistry/Head of Year   

B.Sc. (Hons) Chemistry, P.G.C.E. (Secondary) Science/Chemistry

Mr Jones                        - Teacher of Science/Biology/Head of Year   

B.Sc. (Hons) Biology with Applied & Analytical Chemistry, P.G.C.E. (Secondary) Science/Chemistry

Ms S Matei                     -  Teacher of Science/Physics  

B.Sc (Hons) PGCE

Mr Agab                          - Teacher of Science/Chemistry  

B.Sc.(Hons) Biological Sciences, PGCE (Secondary) Science and Biology

Dr D O’Flynn                 – Teacher of Chemistry, 

B.Sc. (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry, PhD. Organic Chemistry, P.G.C.E. (Secondary) Science/Chemistry

 

Technical Team

Mrs Lamrani                  - Biology Specialist

Mr Coltman                   - Physics Specialist

Mr Woodland                - Chemistry Specialist

Science is a subject of great importance; the EWS Science Department will continue to build on the government's ongoing strategies for developing a strong supply of scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians. It's a subject that can fascinate and delight, develop skills and knowledge, provide excitement and open doors to thousands of different careers.  At EWS, science is about creative thinking, identifying patterns and considering a range of evidence to provide solutions and answers. In our lessons we aim to develop the inquiry, discussion and questioning skills necessary for the girls to become scientifically literate and responsible citizens as well as our next generation of inspirational professional scientists.

The Science Department is comprised of twelve purpose-built science laboratories, which are fully equipped with modern facilities such as interactive whiteboards.  We have access to lap tops, as well as ICT suites allowing technology to impact in a positive way on the learning experiences of pupils. There are thirteen Specialist Science teaching staff all of who teach their specialism at Key Stage 4 and 5. We also have a dedicated team of four technicians who provide us with the practical support that is crucial to helping children develop an understanding of the processes and theories in the subject.

 

Curriculum

KS3

At Ellen Wilkinson School, we currently have a two-year Key Stage 3 course, with students starting the GCSE course in Year 9.  We do this in order to ensure students have ample time to prepare for their GCSE exams.   Key Stage 3 Science is taught as one subject, and all three main disciplines (Biology, Chemistry & Physics) are given equal time.  Students receive five  hours of Science lessons over two weeks in Year 7 and 8. These lessons are a combination of practical and theory lessons, with regular activities to support student learning and attainment. Progress tasks and tests provide quantitative data to support the tracking of students, to ensure that all students make good or better progress. Context drives our syllabus, helping to relate science to real-life concepts and experiences. We aim to teach students the skills they need to solve any problem with scientific enquiry skills. The Key Stage 3 Science course helps to create a strong foundation of knowledge, preparing students for the related topics at GCSE level.

 

 

 

 

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 7

Cells

Particles

Forces

Reproduction

Acids & Alkalis

Structure & Function of Body Systems

 

Elements & Compounds

Space

Chemical Reactions

Year 8

Health & Lifestyle

Separation Techniques

Energy

Adaptation & Inheritance

The Periodic Table

 

Electricity & Magnetism

Sound

 

EWS students are encouraged to become independent learners and within the Science Department we try to equip students with a multitude of resources that will support their learning both in and out of lessons.  We issue all Year 7 students with a revision guide that they can take home and use to revise for tests and help with homework.  

 

Students also have access to our virtual learning environment. This is a personalised learning tool that has pages with hundreds of revision resources which include exam questions, revision power points and exercises.  Students can access these resources from anywhere with an internet connection.  . 

 

The new National Curriculum programme of study can be found using the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335174/SECONDARY_national_curriculum_-_Science_220714.pdf

 

Useful websites

Here are a few websites recommended for science revision in KS3

BBC Bitesize KS3: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zng4d2p

Doc Brown’s quizzes: http://www.docbrown.info/ks3science.htm

Fuse School Videos: https://www.fuseschool.org/users/sign_in?PHPSESSID=7fa046a0b435fc83905abe142010a6c0

The Children’s University:  http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/

Activities to do at home

Get involved in:

British science week: https://www.britishscienceweek.org/app/uploads/2016/01/British-Science-Week-activity-pack2_secondary.pdf

Citizen Science: https://www.britishscienceweek.org/plan-your-activities/citizen-science/

Science quizzes: https://www.britishscienceweek.org/plan-your-activities/quizzes/

Fun experiments: http://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/collection/science-experiments

Steve Spangler Science: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

 

KS4

Due to government-led curriculum changes, all GCSE Science exams are linear and all external exams will take place in the summer of Year 11. The students choose between studying Separate Science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics) or Combined Science GCSE. Both Separate Science and Combined Science are delivered over three years, enabling extensive opportunities to explore these subjects in depth.  Separate Science is very strong at Ellen Wilkinson School with experienced subject specialists teaching all lessons and many opportunities for extra-curricular learning.  Both courses qualifies students  to take A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Students also have the opportunity to study an extra GCSE in Astronomy (in years 10 and 11) outside of regular Science lessons.

Combined Science curriculum

 

 

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

 

 

 

 

 

Year 9

 

 

Biology

Ecosystem processes

Cell Structure

Transport in cells Plant structure and function

Homeostasis and Response Part 1

 

Chemistry

Materials

Atomic structure & Periodic table

 

Bonding and the structure of matter

 

Physics

Maths & Graph Skills

Forces & Motion

Energy

Waves

 

 

 

 

Year 10

 

 

Biology

 

Cell Structure

Respiration

Transport in cells Evolution & Extinction

Plant Structure & Function

Homeostasis

 

 

Variation & Human intervention

Adaptation, interdependence and competition

 

Chemistry

 

Chemistry of the Atmosphere

Atomic structure & Periodic table

Chemical Changes- Reactions of acids

Bonding,  structure and properties

Using Resources

Chemical Changes- Electrolysis

Rate and extent of chemical change

Quantitative

 

Physics

 

Forces & Motion- Basic ideas

Application of forces

Linear Motion

Waves

Electricity

 

Energy

Forces & Motion- car safety

 

 

 

 

Year 11

 

 

Biology

 

Animal Structure & function,

Cell Division,

,

Biodiversity & Human Impact,

DNA & Inheritance,

Review & Revision,

 

Chemistry

 

Chemistry of the Atmosphere,

Quantitative chemistry

Chemical Analysis,

Moles,

Review & Revision,

 

Physics

 

Radioactivity,

Magnetism,

Electricity,

 

Review & Revision,

 

We follow the AQA specification for all science GCSE courses we offer.

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464

Separate sciences (Biology, Chemistry & Physics)

 

 

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

 

 

 

 

 

Year 9

 

 

Biology

 

Ecosystem processes

Cell Structure

Transport in cells

Plant structure and function

Homeostasis and Response Part 1

Food production

Homeostasis and Response Part 2

 

Chemistry

Materials

Atomic structure & Periodic table

Bonding and the structure of matter

Chemical Changes- Reactivity of Metals

 

Chemical Changes- Reactions of acids

 

Chemical Changes- Electrolysis

 

Review

Physics

 

 

Maths & Graph Skills

Energy

 

Waves

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 10

 

Biology

 

Cell Structure

Respiration

Transport in cell Homeostasis

 

Variation & Human intervention

Plant Structure & Function

 

 

Infection & response

Evolution & Extinction

Cell division

 

Chemistry

 

Chemistry of the Atmosphere

Atomic structure & Periodic table

Chemical Changes- Reactions of acids

Using Resources

Energy Changes

 

Rate and extent of chemical change

 

 

 

 

Chemical Changes- Electrolysis

 

Quantitative

 

Physics

 

Forces & Motion- Basic ideas

Application of forces

Linear Motion,

Forces & Motion- car safety

Waves

 

Energy

Electricity

 

 

 

 

 

Year 11

 

Biology

 

Animal Structure & function,

Cell Division,

Evolution & Extinction,

Biodiversity & Human Impact,

DNA & Inheritance,

Review & Revision,

 

Chemistry

 

Chemistry of the Atmosphere,

Quantitative chemistry

Chemical Analysis,

Using resources.

Review & Revision,

 

Physics

 

Radioactivity,

Magnetism,

Electricity,

 

Review & Revision,

           

 

We follow the AQA specification for all science GCSE courses we offer.

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463

Astronomy GCSE

Commencing in Year 10, some students are given the opportunity to do an extra GCSE in Astronomy.  Students are selected on the basis that they have the ability and resilience to successfully complete an extra GCSE.

Astronomy is offered as a twilight course and students not only learn content but are engaged in activities such as stargazing and visits to the Greenwich Observatory.

One linear exam ends a two year program of study and contributes 75% to the total GCSE. The remaining 25% are based on two pieces of coursework when students get the opportunity to actively explore the Universe.  We have proudly had a 100% A* - B pass rate at GCSE Astronomy thus far.  

The content of the course is divided into 4 main topics:

  • Earth, Moon and Sun
  • Planetary systems
  • Stars
  • Galaxies and Cosmology.

These topics also help students with concepts learned at GCSE Physics and introduce concepts studied at A-level Physics. Students enjoy this extra-curricular GCSE.

Enrichment:

There are lots of extra-curricular activities available, which students have a chance to take part in. These include:

- Science club,

- NHS Schools Science Conference,

- The Big Bang Fair,

- Salters Festival of Chemistry,

- Top of the Bench competition,

- Biology Challenge’ for a nationally recognised award

- CREST award – gold level

Trips offered include a visit to The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Royal Society summer exhibition, Head start Royal Academy of Engineering, as well as opportunities to visit universities such as Imperial and UCL.  We have developed strong links with Nuffield Foundation as well as local employers such as GSK.

Activities to do at home

In London, we are fortunate to have lots of inspiring and exciting places to visit:

Science Museum

Natural History Museum

Kew Gardens

London Museum of Water and Steam

The London Zoo

The Royal Observatory

The London Aquarium

The Wetlands Centre

 

Get inspired by reading one of the following:

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone 

Red Madness: How a Medical Mystery Changed What We Eat by Gail Jarrow

Stuff That Scares Your Pants Off!: The Science Museum Book of Scary Things by Glenn Murphy

This is Not a Science Book: A Smart Art Activity Book by Clive Gifford

A Journey Through the Digestive System with Max Axiom, Super Scientist by Emily Sohn

Useful websites

Very useful for revision:

BBC Bitesize:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zrkw2hv

CGP online revision guide:  https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/interactive_gcse_science

My GCSE .com- video tutorials:  https://www.youtube.com/user/myGCSEscience

Science quizzes: http://www.gcsescience.com/gcse-chemistry-revision-quiz.htm

 

KS5

Our Sixth Form students in KS5 have the opportunity to study A Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics and BTEC Applied Science.  All Subjects provide continuity from GCSE, with field trips and University links to extend learning and guidance on future career prospects.

Further details can be found in sixth form area, using the link below:

Our Sixth Form Page