Science

At Hockerill college The Middle Years Science Programme encourages students to investigate issues through the key skills of  research, observation and experimentation, working both independently and collaboratively. 

We seek to inspire the next generation of science students who will have the skills and attitude to succeed in science. 

The curriculum is designed around three key science subjects of biology, physics and chemistry which begin in MYP1 and progress through the GCSE and IBDP programmes. These create a structure for our teaching and the student’s learning and helps to generate the framework that encourages the conceptual and cognitive development of our students.  

In addition to this students are expected to  investigate real examples of science application and to develop the key practical skills of formulating hypotheses, using apparatus with care and precision, recording and presenting data drawing valid conclusions and evaluation their work. 

 Enquiring and Caring Global Citizenship 
Units in MYP, GCSE and in the Diploma Programme as well as in the extracurricular activities encourage  students to develop an understanding of the global community and to comprehend how universal factors influence their lives and how their decisions can have a global influence.  Students are encouraged to develop the knowledge and skills that they need to engage with the world in a way which is responsible, ethical and environmentally aware. 

Excellence in education 
Students are expected to perform at the highest possible level in all of their lessons. And demonstrate high standards of presentation and grammar, using challenging technical vocabulary and wherever possible contemporary examples of current scientific developments. 

The nature of science curriculum encourages the promotion of British values, throughout each of the units. The topics we teach help to reinforce students understanding of responsibility and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different beliefs, and faiths. 

Every opportunity is taken to discuss these themes in the classroom and to encourage the students to develop their understanding through collaboration and research. 

In Biology you will follow either AQA Biology (8461) or the Biology component from AQA Combined Science Trilogy (8464).  The qualification is linear which means students will sit their exams at the end of the course. 

Year 10  - The following units are studied 

• 1. Cell biology – including the structure of plant, animal and specialised cells, how organisms develop from single cells, how organisms obtain their food and the study of microorganisms for food production 

• 2. Organisation – including the roles of cells, tissues and organs, the structure and function of the heart, blood vessels and the digestive system, the role of enzymes and the study of some non-communicable diseases 

• 3. Infection and response – the cause and prevention of communicable diseases and examples of diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists, the human defence system, and vaccinations.  The discovery and development of drugs such as antibiotics and painkillers 

• 4. Bioenergetics – photosynthesis and how the rate of photosynthesis can change, aerobic and anaerobic respiration and the study of metabolism. 

Year 11 

•  5. Homeostasis and response – the role of the nervous and endocrine system in homeostasis, structure of the nervous system and the reflex arc, study of the brain and the eye, control of body temperature, blood glucose and water levels 

• 6. Inheritance, variation and evolution – sexual and asexual reproduction, the determination of gender, the structure and function of DNA, mutations and genetically inherited disorders, development of the understanding of genetics, genetic engineering and cloning 

• 7. Ecology – the science of classification, how biotic and abiotic factors affect communities and habitats, distribution and adaptations of organisms, feeding relationships, recycling, decomposition, biodiversity, land use, impact of environmental change including global warming and deforestation, factors affecting food security and the role of biotechnology and modern farming techniques. 

KS5 - IBDP

Year 12 Curriculum Map 

The IBDP builds on the work covered at GCSE.   

In Year 12 you will study the following 

Cells Membranes and Biochemistry - This introductory unit looks at the ultrastructure of cells and organelles, the structure and function of the cell membrane and membrane transport.  You will study the origin of cells and cell division.  You will also develop an understanding of the basic biochemical molecules of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates and the importance of water. 

DNA, Proteins and Metabolisms -  the role and structure of DNA and RNA, Replication, This unit This unit develops understanding of the role of DNA and RNA and the processes of Transcription and Translation. 

Animals and Their Physiology - This unit develops knowledge of human and animal physiology including processes such as digestion, defense against disease, the blood system, neurones and control, movement, homeostasis, reproduction and the role of the kidneys in osmoregulation. 

You will complete a number of assessments to monitor your progress and Practicals to help you develop the skills needed for your IA. 

Year 13 Curriculum Map 

Year 13 continues with the study developed in Year 12 and includes further study of the following units 

Plant Transport Growth and Reproduction - This unit includes photosynthesis and the study of plant growth, transport and reproduction Chromosomes, Inheritance and Genetic Modification 

Evolution and Biodiversity  - In this unit you will study the evidence for evolution and speciation alongside classify=cation and biodiversity. 

Ecology - This unit will further develop your understanding of the interactions between species, communities and ecosystems alongside an understanding of energy flows in an environment and the importance of carbon recycling and the impact of climate change. 

Students will then study one optional unit from a choice of Ecology and Conservation or Human Physiology

Year 10 & 11  

The Chemistry Department follows the AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462 specification. 

• Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table 

• A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes 

• Development of the periodic table 

• Metals and non-metals 

• Trends within group 0, group1, and group 7 elements 

• Properties of transition metals 

• Bonding, structure and the properties of matter 

• Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic 

• How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances 

• Structure and bonding of carbon 

• Bulk and surface properties of matter including nanoparticles 

• Quantitative Chemistry 

• Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations 

• Use of amount of substance in relation to masses of pure substances 

• Yield and atom economy of chemical reactions 

• Using concentrations of solutions 

• Amount of substance in relation to gases 

• Chemical changes 

• Reactivity or metals 

• Reactions of acids 

• Understanding the process of electrolysis 

• Electron transfer during oxidation and reduction reactions 

• Representation of reactions as ionic half equations 

• Energy changes 

• Energy transfer during exothermic and endothermic reactions 

• Chemical cells and fuel cells 

• The rate and extent of chemical change 

• Calculating rates of reaction from experiments and from data 

• Collision theory and activation energy 

• Providing alternative reaction pathways using catalysts 

• Reversible reactions in dynamic equilibrium and factors changing the position of equilibrium 

• Organic Chemistry 

• Carbon compounds as fuels and feedstock from fossil fuels 

• Patterns of reactivity within homologous series 

• Synthetic and naturally occurring polymers 

• Chemical analysis 

• Analyzing purity, formulations through melting points, boiling points and chromatography 

• Identifying common gases 

• Identifying positive and negative ions by chemical and spectroscopic means 

• Chemistry of the atmosphere 

• Composition and evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere 

• Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases 

• Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources 

• Using resources 

• Using Earth’s resources and obtaining potable water 

• Qualitative and quantitative comparison of the sustainability of materials through life cycle assessments 

• Ways of reducing the use of resources 

• Using materials and preventing corrosion  

• Enhancing material properties by using alloys, ceramics, polymers and composites 

• The Haber process and the use of NPK fertilisers 

KS5 - IBDP

Year 10 & 11  

The Physics Department follows the AQA GCSE Physics 8463 specification. 

Key ideas in Physics 

• the use of models, as in the particle model of matter or the wave models of light and of sound  

• the concept of cause and effect in explaining such links as those between force and acceleration, or between changes in atomic nuclei and radioactive emissions  

• the phenomena of ‘action at a distance’ and the related concept of the field as the key to analysing electrical, magnetic and gravitational effects  

• that differences, for example between pressures or temperatures or electrical potentials, are the drivers of change  

• that proportionality, for example between weight and mass of an object or between force and extension in a spring, is an important aspect of many models in science  

• that physical laws and models are expressed in mathematical form.  

1 Energy 
Energy stores and systems, Changes in energy, Energy changes in systems, Power, Conservation and dissipation of energy, Energy transfers in a system, Efficiency, National and global energy resources. 

2 Electricity 

Current, potential difference and resistance:  Standard circuit diagram symbols, Electrical charge and current, Current, resistance and potential difference, Resistors;  

Series and parallel circuits;  
Domestic uses and safety:  Direct and alternating potential difference, Mains electricity;  

Energy transfers:  Power, Energy transfers in everyday appliances, The national grid;   
Static electricity:  Static charge, Electric fields. 

3 The Particle Model 

Changes of state and the particle model:  Density of materials, Changes of state; 

Internal energy and energy transfers:  Internal energy, Temperature changes in a system and specific heat capacity, Changes of heat and specific latent heat; 

Particle model and pressure: Particle motion in gases, Pressure in gases, Increasing the pressure in a gas.  

4 Atomic Structure 

Atoms and isotopes:  The structure of an atom, Mass number, atomic number and isotopes, The development of the model of an atom; 

Atoms and nuclear radiation:  Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation, Nuclear equations, Half lives and the random nature of radioactive decay, Radioactive contamination; 

Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation:  Background radiation, Different half lives of radioactive isotopes, Uses of nuclear radiation; 

Nuclear fission and fusion:  Nuclear fission, Nuclear fusion. 

5 Forces 

Forces and their interactions:  Scalar and vector quantities, Contact and non-contact forces, Gravity, Resultant forces; 

Work done and energy transfer; 

Forces and elasticity; 

Moments, levers and gears; 

Pressure and pressure differences in fluids:  Pressure in a fluid, Atmospheric pressure; 

Forces and motion:  Describing motion along a line, Forces, accelerations and Newton’s laws of motion, Forces and braking; 

Momentum:  Momentum is a property of moving objects, Conservation of momentum, Changes in momentum. 

6 Waves 

Transverse and longitudinal waves, Properties of waves, Reflection of waves, Sound waves, Waves for detection and exploration; 

Electromagnetic waves, Lenses, Visible light; 

Black body radiation:  Emission and absorption of infrared radiation, Perfect black bodies and radiation. 

7 Electromagnetism 

Poles of a magnet, Magnetic fields; 

The motor effect:  Electromagnetism, Fleming’s left hand rule, Electric motors, Loudspeakers; 

Induced potential, Uses of the generator effect, Microphones, Transformers. 

8* Space 

Our solar system, The lifecycle of a star, Orbital motion, natural and artificial satellites;  

Red shift. 

9 Revision 

All topics. 

10 Required practicals. 

KS5 - IBDP

The College Enrichment Programme invites external speakers.  The College Clubs programme often includes activities which support Physics.  Past opportunities to attend external lectures have included University of Cambridge, University of Hertfordshire, Café Scientifique, etc.).  Year 13 students are invited to mentor Year 11 students and Boarders often have lively discussions about Physics in the evenings.

• Applied science club – weekly after school club discussing developments in science and possible implications of these. 

• Student mentoring within chemistry – Year 12 and 13 students mentoring students in need of support in Year 11. 

Physics - The Scientific Method, and everything included within it, is the Scientific section of the Theory of Knowledge course.  The Physics course covers many examples of different ways of thinking encountered during the development of science, and these are flagged by teachers as students progress through the course. 

Links to ToK are flagged in the syllabus.  The Tsokos textbook which is currently issued to students has a whole chapter on ToK and the Oxford textbook (used by teachers and favourite to replace Tsokos at the next syllabus change) has highlighted articles on scientific questions that arise from Theory of Knowledge