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Science

Introduction

Science is introduced into the curriculum in Year 7. Students will continue to study the three sciences – biology, chemistry and physics – through to GCSE, attaining a minimum of two GCSE grades and a third as an option. As a department, we pride ourselves on our continued outstanding success, a result of our highly enthusiastic and dedicated team of teachers who progress and exhilarate the students from Year 7 through to Year 11. Our aim is to educate, encourage and inspire every single one of our students. Many opt to continue studying a science as one of their A level options, leading to a successful career in the scientific industry.

KS3

Summary

Students at Isleworth & Syon will follow a three-year KS3 course. Students will develop their investigative skills and explore the exciting world of all three sciences – biology, chemistry and physics.

Curriculum Content

Year 7

Curriculum

Biology 1

  • Cells
  • Microscopes
  • Plants

Chemistry 1

  • Particle model
  • Changes of state
  • Density
  • Gas pressure

Physics 1

  • Forces
  • Balanced and unbalanced forces

Biology 2

  • Leaf structure
  • Photosynthesis

Chemistry 2

  • Pure and impure substances
  • Melting and boiling points
  • Separation techniques

Physics 2

  • Energy
  • Work done
  • Sound

Assessment

At the end of each unit, students will take a written test to see what they have learned. In every unit, there is also an extended literacy task. At the end of Year 7, students sit a written examination.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

PPA is set on Insight / Parent Portal by class teachers generally on a weekly basis.

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 7 curriculum.

Year 8

Curriculum

Biology 3

  • Balanced diet
  • Digestion
  • Respiration

Chemistry 3

  • Periodic table
  • Compounds and mixtures
  • Properties of metals and non-metals

Physics 3

  • Magnets
  • Gravity
  • Pressure

Biology 4

  • Reproduction and pregnancy
  • Muscles
  • The skeleton
  • Breathing

Chemistry 4

  • Reactions of acids
  • Conservation of mass
  • Chemical and physical changes

Physics 4

  • Circuits
  • Electromagnets

Assessment

At the end of each unit, students will take a written test to see what they have learned. In every unit, there is also an extended literacy task. At the end of Year 8, students sit a written examination.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

PPA is set on Insight / Parent Portal by class teachers generally on a weekly basis.

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.

Year 9

Curriculum

Biology 5

  • Drugs
  • Smoking and alcohol
  • Microbes and immunity

Chemistry 5

  • Endothermic and exothermic reactions
  • Reactivity
  • Combustion

Physics 5

  • Speed
  • Moments
  • Space

Biology 6

  • Variation
  • Natural selection
  • Cloning
  • Extinction

Chemistry 6

  • Structure of the earth
  • Rock cycle
  • Carbon cycle

Physics 6

  • Waves
  • Light
  • Heat

Assessment

At the end of each unit, students will take a written test to see what they have learned. In every unit, there is also an extended literacy task. At the end of Year 9, students sit a written examination.

Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)

PPA is set on Insight / Parent Portal by class teachers generally on a weekly basis.

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 9 curriculum.

KS4

Summary

Students at Isleworth & Syon study at least two science GCSEs under the combined science trilogy pathway. Depending on their developing interests, they are able to opt for the separate science route and thus attain three GCSEs in biology, chemistry, and physics.

For more information on each course, please see below.

GCSE Combined Science

Specification Code: 8464
Level: GCSE
Examination Board: AQA

Curriculum

Students will study the following topics:

Biology

  1. Cell biology
  2. Organisation
  3. Infection and response
  4. Bioenergetics
  5. Homeostasis and response
  6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
  7. Ecology

Chemistry

  1. Atomic structure and the periodic table
  2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
  3. Quantitative chemistry
  4. Chemical changes
  5. Energy changes
  6. The rate and extent of chemical change
  7. Organic chemistry
  8. Chemical analysis
  9. Chemistry of the atmosphere
  10. Using resources

Physics

  1. Energy
  2. Electricity
  3. Particle model of matter
  4. Atomic structure
  5. Forces
  6. Waves
  7. Magnetism and electromagnetism

Assessment

Biology Paper 1 – Topics 1-4
Written examination – 1 hour 15 minutes – 16.7% of GCSE grade (sat at the end of Year 11)

Biology Paper 2 – Topics 5-7
Written examination – 1 hour 15 minutes – 16.7% of GCSE grade (sat at the end of Year 11)

Chemistry Paper 1 – Topics 8-12
Written examination – 1 hour 15 minutes – 16.7% of GCSE grade (sat at the end of Year 11)

Chemistry Paper 2 – Topics 13-17
Written examination – 1 hour 15 minutes – 16.7% of GCSE grade (sat at the end of Year 11)

Physics Paper 1 – Topics 18-21
Written examination – 1 hour 15 minutes – 16.7% of GCSE grade (sat at the end of Year 11)

Physics Paper 2 – Topics 22-24
Written examination – 1 hour 15 minutes – 16.7% of GCSE grade (sat at the end of Year 11)

The teaching of separate science takes place in Year 11.

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 10 curriculum.

GCSE Biology

Specification Code: 8461
Level: GCSE
Examination Board: AQA

Year 11

Curriculum

In Year 11, students will study the following topics:

  1. Cell biology
  2. Organisation
  3. Infection and response
  4. Bioenergetics
  5. Homeostasis and response
  6. Inheritance, variation and evolution
  7. Ecology
  8. Key ideas

Assessment

Biology Paper 1 – Topics 1-4
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade

Biology Paper 2 – Topics 5-8
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 11 curriculum.

GCSE Chemistry

Specification Code: 8462
Examination Board: AQA

Year 11

Curriculum

In Year 11, students will study the following topics:

  1. Atomic structure and the periodic table
  2. Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
  3. Quantitative chemistry
  4. Chemical changes
  5. Energy changes
  6. The rate and extent of chemical change
  7. Organic chemistry
  8. Chemical analysis
  9. Chemistry of the atmosphere
  10. Using resources

Assessment

Chemistry Paper 1 – Topics 1-5
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade

Chemistry Paper 2 – Topics 6-10
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 11 curriculum.

GCSE Physics

Specification Code: 8463
Examination Board: AQA

Year 11

Curriculum

In Year 11, students will study the following topics:

  1. Energy
  2. Electricity
  3. Particle model of matter
  4. Atomic structure
  5. Forces
  6. Waves
  7. Magnetism and electromagnetism
  8. Space physics

Assessment

Physics Paper 1 – Topics 1-4
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade

Physics Paper 2 – Topics 5-8
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 11 curriculum.

KS5

Summary

Science subjects are extremely popular choices at A level, and we offer biology, chemistry and physics. We provide extensive support for students intending to go on to study science-related courses at university, such as organising taster courses and external speakers, and helping students to gain relevant work experience.

We are committed to providing a range of experiences, both inside and beyond the classroom, to ensure our students are independent, analytical learners who will flourish in science-based careers. Every single year, students from the science department apply to Oxbridge, and embark on the first steps to becoming doctors, dentists and engineers.

A level Biology

Specification Code: 9BIO
Level: A level
Examination Board: Edexcel B

Curriculum

Over the course, students will study the following topics:

  1. Biological molecules
  2. Cells, viruses and reproduction
  3. Classification and Biodiversity
  4. Exchange and Transport
  5. Energy for Biological process
  6. Microbiology and Pathogens
  7. Modern Genetics
  8. Origins of Genetic Variation
  9. Control Systems
  10. Ecosystems

Assessment

Paper 1: Topics 1-7
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 30% of A level

Paper 2: Topics 1-4 and 8-10
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 30% of A level

Paper 3: Topics 1-10
Written examination – 2 hours 30 minutes – 40% of A level

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.

A level Chemistry

Specification Code: 7405
Level: A level
Examination Board: AQA

Curriculum

Over the course, students will study the following topics:

  1. Physical chemistry
  2. Organic chemistry
  3. Inorganic chemistry

Assessment

Paper 1: Topics 1-3
Written examination – 2 hours – 35% of A level

Paper 2: Topics 1 & 2
Written examination – 2 hours – 35% of A level

Paper 3: Topics 1-3
Written examination – 2 hours – 30% of A level

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.

  • Edexcel – full A level Chemistry specification and example papers.
  • A level Chemistry – revision resources for A level students.
  • ChemNotes – chemistry revision notes

A level Physics

Specification Code: 9PHO
Level: A level
Examination Board: Edexcel

Curriculum

Over the course, students will study the following topics:

  1. Working as a Physicist
  2. Mechanics
  3. Electric Circuits
  4. Further Mechanics
  5. Electric and Magnetic Fields
  6. Nuclear and Particle Physics
  7. Materials
  8. Waves and Particle Nature of Light
  9. Thermodynamics
  10. Space
  11. Nuclear Radiation
  12. Gravitational Fields
  13. Oscillations

Assessment

Paper 1: Topics 1-6.1
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 30% of A level

Paper 2: Topics 1 and 7-13
Written examination – 1 hour 45 minutes – 30% of A level

Paper 3: Topics 1-13
Written examination – 2 hours 30 minutes – 40% of A level

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.

  • Edexcel – full A level physics specification and example papers.
  • KabMouse Online – online self-study units for AS physics.
  • The Leonardo Project – learn AS physics through tutorial videos, flash resources and revision worksheets.
  • CyberPhysics – KS5 physics revision and practice questions.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Applied Science

Specification Code: BTEC
Level: BTEC Level 3
Examination Board: Edexcel

Curriculum

Over the course, students will study the following topics:

Mandatory Units

  • Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science 1
    • A: Structures and Functions of Cells and Tissues
    • B: Periodicity and Properties of Elements
    • C: Waves in Communication
  • Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
  • Unit 3: Science Investigative Skills

Optional Units

  • Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems
  • Unit 9: Human Regulation and Reproduction
  • Unit 10: Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways
  • Unit 11: Genetics and Genetic Engineering
  • Unit 12: Disease and Infections
  • Unit 13: Applications of Inorganic Chemistry
  • Unit 14: Applications of Organic Chemistry
  • Unit 15: Electrical Circuits and their Application
  • Unit 16: Astronomy and Space Science

Assessment

Unit 1
Written examination – 2 hours – 29% of BTEC

Unit 2
Internal assignment – 21% of BTEC

Unit 3
Written examination – 1 hour 20 minutes – 29% of BTEC

Optional Unit
Internal assignment – 21% of BTEC

Further Resources

The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find science resources.
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.

Extra-Curricular

We offer a range of additional opportunities for our students. These include:

  • Year 7 science club
  • University lectures
  • Drop in help sessions

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