SCIENCE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK Al-Khair Secondary School Science Department قسم العلوم Academic Year 2016 2017 Prepared by Aziza Helaly

Content Contents.. 1 Introduction to the Science Department... 2 Aim..3 GCSE Examination results. 4 Teaching team. 4 Curriculum overview.. 5 Key Stage 3: Year 7 and 8..6 Key Stage 4: Year 9, 10 and 11 7 Textbook and resources...10 KS3 Textbooks and studying resources 11 KS4Textbooks and studying resources. 13 Useful revision resources...13 Department Polices..14 Marking and Assessment Polices. 15 Weighting of assessment objective for GCSE....15 Progress Checks and Reporting 16 Key Stage 3 Grade Boundaries 17 Key Stage 4 Grade Boundaries. 18 Homework Policy. 19 GCSE Science Couse work - Control Assessment... 20 Extra Curricular.....22 Science trips.. 22 Merits and demerits.. 23 Health and safety Policy... 24 1

Introduction to the science Department INTRODUCTION The purposes of this handbook are: to provide details of management and organisation of the Department to state the policies of the Department to provide an overview of the curriculum AIMS The aims of the Science department are to expand and develop the school mission statement within the framework of Science as a core academic subject. The Science department seeks to: develop in pupils lively, enquiring minds so that they can increase their knowledge and understanding of natural phenomena, allow pupils to acquire scientific skills, to learn to solve problems and to learn to make informed judgements, encourage each pupil to have an appreciation, care and concern for other pupils, animals, plants and the environment, ensure that all pupils receive a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated experience of Science, educate pupils for a happy and successful life in a society being influenced by rapid scientific and technological change, deliver the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and prepare pupils for public examinations, enable all pupils to achieve their maximum potential. Link science to their belief in god. 2

GCSE Examination Results The table below is shown Al Khair Science Department GCSE examination Results for the last three years. Subject GCSE Results 2014 GCSE Results 2015 GCSE Results 2016 Biology % A* OR A % A* OR A % A* OR A A* - C % A* OR A A* - C 21 70 70 100 23 92 Chemistry 21 80 80 100 38 100 Physics 43 80 80 100 38 100 Science A 33 7 7 100-100 Additional Science 32 35 35 89-100 3

TEACHING TEAM Mrs Aziza Helaly Head of Department KS4 Science Teacher aziza.helaly@alkhairschool.org.uk Mr Enamul Hassan & Mr Kashif Rana KS4 Science Teacher enamul.hassan@alkhairschool.org.uk kashif.rana@alkhairschool.org.uk Mr Haroon Hayat KS3 Science Teacher haroon.hayat@alkhairschool.org.uk 4

Curriculum Overview CURRICULUM OVERVIEW Key Stage 3: Year 7 and 8 Students in KS3, will follow the new national curriculum and assessments (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-englandsecondary-curriculum). Each class has 4 science lessons a week. The KS3 curriculum is completed in 2 years. The units the students will study throughout their 2 years are in the following table: Year Winter Spring Summer 1 st Half Safety in the laboratory Cells, tissue and organs Energy resources (energy transfer) Forces and speed Solar system and beyond Year 7 Acids and alkalis Particle model of solids, liquids and gases Electrical circuits Simple chemical reactions Classification Environment and feeding relationships Joints and Muscles Year 8 1 st Half Food and digestion Respiration Heat energy transfer Atoms and elements Compounds and mixtures Magnets and electromagnets Microbes and disease Sound waves Energy resources Pressure and moments Reactions of metals and metal compounds Patterns of reactivity Humans and environment Rocks and weathering The rock cycle Ecological relationships Inheritance and selection 5

Key Stage 4: At Key Stage 4, we will be following the AQA GCSE specification. Year 11 Students will study Core Science and Additional Science (2 GCSEs) or else Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics). Year 9 & 10 students are following the new 9-1 AQA CCSE Science New Specification - Combined Science: Trilogy. http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science. Each class has 2 lessons a week for each science subject. Triple Science: Biology Year Winter Spring Summer 1 st Half Cell structure Infection and response Ecology Year 9 Chromosomes, Mitosis and the cell cycle. Transport in cells Homeostasis and response Exam Revision Year 10 1 st Half Organisation and the digestive system. Non-communicable diseases. Photosynthesis Respiration Biodiversity and ecosystem. The human nervous system Organising animals and plants. Reproduction Variation and evolution Exam Revision Year 11 1 st Half Movement of molecules in and out of cells Transport systems in plants and animals Homeostasis Revision B1, B2 & B3 Humans and their environment Control assessment Revision B2 & B3 Exam Revision 6

Chemistry Year Winter Spring Summer Year 9 1 st Half Atomic structure and the periodic table Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter Chemistry of the atmosphere Quantities chemistry The periodic table Chemical changes Energy changes Exam Revision Year 10 1 st Half Rate and equilibrium Energy Change Crude oil and fuels Crude oil and fuels (Cont.) Electrolysis Polymers Organic reactions The earth s resources Using our resources Chemical analysis Exam Revision Year 11 1 st Half The periodic table Water (Cont.) Calculating and explaining energy changes Further analysis and quantitative chemistry Revision C1, C2 & C3 Water Control assessment The production of ammonia Alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters Exam Revision Physics Year Winter Spring Summer Year 9 1 st Half Conservation and dissipation Energy resources (Cont.) Forces in balance Motion Wave properties Magnetic and electromagnetism Energy transfer by heating Energy resources Forces and pressure Exam Revision 1 st Half Conservation and dissipation Energy resources (Cont.) Electric circuits Molecules and matter (Cont.) Radioactivity 7

Year 10 Energy transfer by heating Energy resources Electricity in the home Molecules and matter Exam Revision Year 11 1 st Half X-rays & Ultrasound The eye & Other applications using light (Cont.) Using physics to make things work Revision P1, P2 & P3 The eye & Other applications using light Control assessment Keeping things moving Exam Revision Double Science: Biology Year Winter Spring Summer Year 11 1st Half Cell division and inheritance Speciation Proteins their functions and uses Aerobic and anaerobic respiration Revision B1 & B2 Photosynthesis Organisms and their environment Tissues, organ and organ system. Exam Revision Chemistry Year Winter Spring Summer Year 11 1st Half Acids, bases and salts Electrolysis Structures and properties Rates of reaction Revision C1 & C 2 Structure and bonding Exothermic and endothermic reactions Exam Revision Physics Year Winter Spring Summer Year 11 1st Half Currents in electrical circuits Atoms and radiation Forces and their effects Forces and energy Mains electricity Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion Exam Revision P1 & P2 8

Textbook and Teaching resources 9

KS3 Textbooks and studying resources Al-Khair Science Department use Collins students textbook 1, 2 and 3 in KS3. Students also make use of photocopied worksheets for classwork and homework. In addition to this students can access activities and tests at http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z4882hv and http://links4science.blogspot.co.uk/ 10

KS4 Textbooks and studying resources Year 11 students who study triple science will use the Longman AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics test book. Students who study Double Science will use Collins AQA GCSE Science A and additional Science Textbook. Students also make use of photocopied worksheets for homework. Year 9 & 10 students will use the Oxford AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics test book. KS4 students can use Kerboodle to access digital textbooks, homework sheets, animations, quizzes as well as revision tips and advice. 11

Useful Revision Resources: Students can access activities and tests at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa/ They can also download or view past papers and mark schemes from AQA website Core Science: Additional Science Biology: Chemistry: Physics: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/science-a-4405/past-papersand-mark-schemes http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/additional-science-4408/pastpapers-andmark-schemes http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-4401/past-papers-andmarkschemes http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-4402/past-papersand-markschemes http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-4403/past-papers-andmarkschemes At the end of spring term Year 10 and Year 11 Students will be provided with past exam questions booklet for each science subject to support their revision. 12

Department Polices Marking and Assessment Polices The Al- Khair Science Department monitors students progress continuously through a variety of assessment formats, including, practical work, student presentation, coursework, written exercises, group work as well as informal assessment such as question and answer. Students will also have a summative assessment every 4 weeks and end of term assessment. These assessment tasks will include the end of unit assessments. In KS3 the following skills are assessed: Working scientifically Understanding the application and implication of science Using investigation approaches Working critically with evidence Quality of written communication In KS4 the following assessment objectives are assessed: AO1 Recall, select and communicate students knowledge and understanding of biology, chemistry and physics. AO2 Apply skills, knowledge and understanding of biology, chemistry and physics in practical and other contexts. AO3 Analyse and evaluate evidence, make reasoned judgements and draw conclusions based on evidence. 13

Weighting of assessment objective for GCSE The table below shows the approximate weighting for each of the assessment objectives in the GCSE units. Marking: Students are to self or peer-assess work in green pen, teachers are to apply their marking and/or comments in Red pen. Progress Checks and Reporting: Students will receive regular and detailed feedback on their work. A comment, written or oral, identifying the strengths and/or weaknesses of the students work, so that they understand how they are progressing and what steps they need to take to improve. Students will receive a feedback sticker, like the one shown below, every two weeks. O: Outstanding G: Good S: Satisfactory Attitude to Learning O G S C C: Concern Working grade Merit Action points: Pupil Response: 14

All assessment marks are recorded in KSM, and on a tracker sheet. Students must have a copy of the science tracking sheet, like the one shown below, to the inside front cover of their exercise book. Year 7 Year 8 Grade 0-2 0-23 U/G 29-31% 24-26% F 32-51% 27-46% E 52-76% 47-71% D 77-95 % 72-87% C 96-100% 88-95% B 96-100% A Key Stage 3 Grade Boundaries: The Science Department has devised a set of guidelines to ensure that all marking and feedback is clear and understandable. The Science Department follows the letter grading scale when giving out final grades for pieces of work. The grade for KS3 boundaries is provided in the table below. National Curriculum Grade Grades A* A B EXP+ C EXP+ EXP D EXP EXP E EXP -EXP F -EXP Year 7 Year 8 Key: Below Expected Expected Above Expected -EXP EXP EXP+ 15

Key Stage 4 Grade Boundaries: Most students will study for a Triple Science GCSE, which will result in the awarding of a separate GCSE in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Some students will study for a Double Science GCSE, which will result in the awarding of two GCSEs, namely Core Science and Additional Science. Both of these GCSEs will assess students knowledge of the three main fields of Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). GCSE students will be graded on an eight-grade scale: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F and G. For the Foundation Tier, grades C G are available; for the Higher Tier, A* G are available. The grade for KS4 boundaries is provided in the table below. Grade Grade Boundaries A* A B C D E F G U Higher Tier 90% + 80% - 89% 70% - 79% 60% - 69% 50% - 59% 40% - 49% 30% - 39% 20% - 29% Less than 20% Foundation Tier 87% - 100% 72% - 86% 58% - 71% 43% - 57% 29% - 42% Less than 29% 16

Grading new GCSEs from 2017: Homework Policy Homework is an integral part of the learning process. It can contribute to raising achievement for the following reasons: It develops independent learning It Improves skill level e.g. research, extended writing, project completion, personal time/work management, organisation. It consolidates classroom learning It enhances knowledge and understanding Teachers will set Homework regularly in line with the Whole School Policy on Homework. Key stage 3 Students will be given a minimum of 1 hour of homework on a weekly basis. Key stage 4 students will be given a minimum of 1 hour of homework on a weekly basis for each science subject. Students are expected to read over notes and revise on a regular basis. The homework that is set can take many forms. It may include activities such as: Written assignments Revision Preparing for an oral presentation Individual research Collecting materials Answering past examination questions Finish off work not completed in class Prepare work for following lesson. Create revision resources Creating their own exam/assessment questions Think of six questions you could ask on a topic 17

Learn key words Long term project Teachers will mark homework and give feedback as soon as possible after submission of work. Students will mark some of their homework. This allows them the opportunity to analyse their responses in a more immediate manner. Techers will address non-completion, or poor quality of homework. Detention in order to complete the work is one possibility. GCSE Science Couse work - Control Assessment Control assessment is worth 25% of the total marks and consist of a minimum of one practical investigation based on topics in the specification. The Controlled Assessment is not tiered and the full range of grades A* G is available to students for this unit. The Controlled Assessment comprises an ISA (Individual Skills Assignments) test which is assessed in two sections. Prior to taking Section 1 of the ISA test, students independently consider the hypothesis they have been given or they have developed and research possible methods for carrying out an experiment to test it. During this research, students need to do a risk assessment and also research the context of the investigation for use in Section 2 of the ISA. Students are allowed to make brief notes on one side of A4 which they can use during their answering of Sections 1 and 2 of the ISA paper. Section 1 of the ISA test (45 minutes, 20 marks) consists of questions relating to the student s own research. Following Section 1 students carry out their own experiment and record and analyse their results. If the student s plan is unworkable, unsafe or unmanageable in the laboratory then they may be provided with a method an example of which will be provided by AQA. For plans that are otherwise good, but unworkable for a good reason (ie logistical) students should not lose any marks. However, where the plan is dangerous or unworkable (from a scientific perspective) this will be reflected in the marking. Section 2 of the ISA test (50 minutes, 30 marks) consists of questions related to the experiment students have carried out. They are also provided with a data sheet of secondary data by AQA, from which they select appropriate data to analyse and compare with the hypothesis. Students will be expected to plan their investigation independently and should each draw up an appropriate table for recording their results. 18

While carrying out the investigation, students should make and record observations. They should make measurements with precision and accuracy. They should record data as it is obtained in a table. They should use ICT where appropriate. Students are also required to process the data into a graph or chart. Students tables of data and graphs or charts will be collected by the teacher at the end of each lesson. The paper containing Section 2 of the ISA will be taken as soon as possible after completion of the investigation. During the test, students should work on their own and in silence. When students have completed the test the scripts will be collected. Teachers are required to mark the tests, using the marking guidelines provided by AQA. About 5 lessons will be allowed for the ISA: one Lesson for discussion, research and planning; one lesson for the completion of Section 1; one or two lessons for completing the experiment and processing their results and one lesson for completing Section 2 of the ISA. Students may attempt any number of the ISAs supplied by AQA for a particular subject. The best mark they achieve from a complete ISA is submitted. Specimen ISAs or ISAs that are no longer valid will be given to students so that they can practise the skills required. Control assessment will take place in the autumn term. 19

Extra Curricular Science Trips: The Science Department organises a variety of day trips throughout the year for every year group. The table below shows examples of upcoming trips. Place and address Group Month London Zoo Outer Circle Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY Natural History Museum Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK. Year 7 Year 8 March December Royal Observatory Blackheath Avenue Greenwich, SE10 8XJ Year 9 November Centre of the cell Blizard Institute 4 Newark Street Whitechapel London E1 2AT The Royal London Hospital Museum The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BB Year 10 & Year 11 Year 10 & 11 February February 20

Merits and Demerits The Science Department rewards students with merits for good work and demerits for incomplete work. The two tables below show possible ways to receive merits and demerits. Type of Merit Number of merits Excellent Homework 1-2 Classwork 1-2 Work placed on display 3 Achieved an A* in Assessment 2 Achieved an A in Assessment 1 Type of Demerit Number of Demerits Homework incomplete 2 Classwork incomplete 1-2 Achieved an E or below in Assessment 2 Unprepared for lesson 1 21

Health and safety Policy Rules for pupils during science lessons 1. You must not do anything with equipment or materials unless told to do so by a teacher. You must follow instructions precisely. 2. You must wear eye protection when told to do so and keep it on until told to take it off when all practical work, including clearing away, is finished. 3. When instructed to use a Bunsen burner, make sure that scarves and ties are tied back or tucked in to keep them well away from the flame. 4. When working with liquids, normally stand up; then you can move out of the way quickly if there is a spill. 5. Never taste anything or put anything in your mouth when in the laboratory unless your teacher tells you to do so. This includes sweets, fingers and pencils, which might have picked up dangerous chemicals from the bench. 6. If small amounts of chemicals or microbiological cultures get on your hands or any other part of the body, wash them off. Wash your hands after work with chemicals or with animal or vegetable matter. 9. Put bags away in the spaces provided. 7. Put waste solids in the correct bin, never in the sink. 8. Report any accident to the teacher. This includes burns or cuts and chemicals in the mouth, the eyes or on the skin. 9. Keep your bench clean and tidy. 22

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