11-16 Years
The high-quality science education at King’s provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. In an ever-changing world science we all should try to keep pace with technological advances that brings new information to light and new skills to learn and apply. Our vision is to prepare our pupils to embrace the challenges that they encounter, both at King’s and beyond. We strive to enable their learning and enrich their experiences.
Pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They are encouraged to understand how knowledge and concepts can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. This is consolidated through their appreciation of the applications of science in society.
Our philosophy is to stimulate a genuine interest in science and enthusiasm for enquiry and investigation amongst pupils. Teachers constantly reflect on our pupils’ level of engagement and we are flexible enough to allow for and encourage the pursuit of interest and development of independent learning skills
Outside of the standard lesson time we offer master classes, revision classes, a chemistry club, a robot club and a programming club as well as fieldwork, site visits, and opportunities to learn in different environments such as the Cheltenham Science Festival or Bristol Zoo.
Studied as a whole subject for the first three years, pupils can choose to take separate science subjects in Biology, Chemistry and Physics at GCSE level. However, we make a concerted effort to start the process of GCSE work in Third Form (Yr 9) to help pupils with their GCSE decision making and to build a pride in what they can already achieve.
Studying Science
KS3- In Years 7 and 8 pupils are taught six and seven 50 minute lessons of science a fortnight respectively. Our philosophy is to stimulate a genuine interest in science and enthusiasm for enquiry and investigation amongst pupils. Teachers constantly reflect on our students' level of engagement and we are flexible enough to allow for and encourage the pursuit of interest and development of independent learning skills. In Year 9 pupils are setted and taught by subject specialist teachers Topics are extended to KS4 level.
KS4 - KS4 (from September 2012)- AQA Certificate (iGCSE) Separate Science options or alternatively WJEC (Core)Science GCSE
Having begun their GCSE course, pupils continue with their opted science choices through years 10 and 11. Average set sizes range from between 10 to 16 pupils. GCSE results were extremely pleasing again in 2012 with nearly one in four pupils achieving an A* grade in the separate science options.
GCSE Biology | GCSE Chemistry | GCSE Physics | GCSE Option Choices
GCSE Options Presentation - 1.7MB