Science

Why do we study Science? 

At Barnhill, students engage in all the parts of what good science looks like, whether it be investigating, observing, experimenting or testing ideas and thinking about them. The way scientific ideas flow through the curriculum will support our students in building a deep understanding of science. This will involve talking about, reading and writing about science plus the actual doing and representing science in its many forms, both mathematically and visually, through models. 

Studying science at Barnhill helps us make informed decisions in our personal lives and society. Understanding scientific concepts enables us to evaluate information, assess risks, and make choices based on evidence. Also, it gives us the knowledge and skills to navigate and thrive in an increasingly complex and technologically driven world. It is a fundamental part of a well-rounded education that benefits individuals and society as a whole. 

Programme Study 

Year 7 

  1. Cells 
  2. Particle Model 
  3. Forces – Speed 
  4. Movements 
  5. Separating mixtures 
  6. Energy -cost and transfer 
  7. Interdependence 
  8. Acids/Alkali 
  9. Plant Reproduction 
  10. The Earth Structure 
  11. Voltage, Current and Resistance 
  12. Human Reproduction 
  13. Gravity & Universe 
  14. Wave properties and Effects 

Year 8  

  1. Breathing 
  2. Elements 
  3. Contact forces 
  4. Digestion 
  5. Periodic table 
  6. Pressure 
  7. Respiration 
  8. Climate 
  9. Waves- Sound 
  10. Photosynthesis 
  11. Earth Resources 
  12. Light 
  13. Variation 
  14. Work 
  15. Heating and cooling 

Year 9

  1. Types of reaction 
  2. Chemical change 
  3. Magnetism and Electromagnets 
  4. Evolution, variation and inheritance 
  5. Energy 
  6. Bioenergetics 
  7. The Chemistry and the atmosphere 

Year 10

Biology

  1. Cell biology 
  2. Organisation  
  3. Infection and response  
  4. Bioenergetics 

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 

Physics

  1. Energy 
  2. Electricity 
  3. Particle model 
  4. Atomic structure 

Year 11

Biology

  1. Homeostasis and response 
  2. Inheritance, variation and evolution 
  3. Ecology 

Chemistry

  1. The rate and extent of chemical change 
  2. Organic chemistry 
  3. Chemical analysis 
  4. Chemistry of the atmosphere 
  5. Using resources 

Physics

  1. Forces 
  2. Waves 
  3. Magnetism and electromagnetism 
  4. Space 

Year 12

AQA Biology: 

Paper 1: 50% 

  1.  Biological molecules  
  2.  Cells  
  3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment  
  4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms 
  5. Practical skills 

Paper 2: 50% 

  1. Biological molecules  
  2.  Cells  
  3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment  
  4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms 
  5. Required practical 1-6 

AQA Chemistry: 

Paper 1: 50% 

Physical chemistry 

  1. Atomic structure 
  2. Amount of substance 
  3. Bonding 
  4. Energetics 
  5. Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc 
  6. Oxidation, reduction and redox equations 
  7. Practical skills 

Inorganic chemistry 

  1. Periodicity  
  2. Group 2, the alkaline earth metals  
  3. Group 7(17), the halogens 
  4. Practical skills 

Paper 2: 50% 

Physical Chemistry: 

  1. Amount of substance  
  2. Bonding  
  3. Energetics  
  4. Kinetics  
  5. Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc 
  6. Practical skills 

Organic chemistry 

  1. Introduction to organic chemistry  
  2. Alkanes  
  3. Halogenoalkanes  
  4. Alkenes  
  5. Alcohols  
  6. Organic analysis 
  7. Required practical 1-6 

AQA Physics: 

Paper 1: 50% 

  1. Measurements and Errors 
  2. Particles and radiation 
  3. Electricity 
  4. Mechanics and materials 
  5. Waves 

Paper 2: 50% 

  1. Measurements and Errors 
  2. Particles and radiation 
  3. Electricity 
  4. Mechanics and materials 
  5. Waves 
  6. Required practical 1-6 

Year 13

AQA Biology: 

Paper 1: 35% 

  1.  Biological molecules  
  2.  Cells  
  3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment  
  4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms 
  5. Practical skills 

Paper 2: 35% 

  1. Energy transfers in and between organisms 
  2. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments 
  3. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems  
  4. The control of gene expression 
  5. Practical skills 

Paper 3: 30% 

  1. Biological molecules  
  2.  Cells  
  3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment  
  4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms 
  5. Energy transfers in and between organisms 
  6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments 
  7. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems  
  8. The control of gene expression 
  9. Required practical 1-12 

AQA Chemistry: 

Paper 1: 35%  

Physical chemistry 

  1. Atomic structure 
  2. Amount of substance 
  3. Bonding 
  4. Energetics 
  5. Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc 
  6. Oxidation, reduction and redox equations 
  7. Thermodynamics 
  8. Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems  
  9. Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells  
  10. Acids and bases 
  11. Practical skills 

Inorganic chemistry  

  1. Periodicity  
  2. Group 2, the alkaline earth metals  
  3. Group 7(17), the halogens 
  4. Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides  
  5. Transition metals  
  6. Reactions of ions in aqueous solution  
  7. Practical skills 

Paper 2: 35% 

Physical Chemistry: 

  1. Amount of substance  
  2. Bonding  
  3. Energetics  
  4. Kinetics  
  5. Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc 
  6. Rates equations 
  7. Practical skills 

Organic chemistry 

  1. Introduction to organic chemistry  
  2. Alkanes  
  3. Halogenoalkanes  
  4. Alkenes  
  5. Alcohols  
  6. Organic analysis 
  7. Optical isomerism 
  8. Aldehydes and ketones 
  9. Carboxylic acids and derivatives 
  10. Aromatic chemistry  
  11. Amines  
  12. Polymers  
  13. Amino acids, proteins and DNA  
  14. Organic synthesis  
  15. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy  
  16. Chromatography  
  17. Practical skills 

Paper 3: 30% 

Physical chemistry 

  1. Atomic structure 
  2. Amount of substance 
  3. Bonding 
  4. Energetics 
  5. Kinetics 
  6. Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc 
  7. Oxidation, reduction and redox equations 
  8. Thermodynamics 
  9. Rate equations 
  10. Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems  
  11. Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells  
  12. Acids and bases 

Inorganic chemistry  

  1. Periodicity  
  2. Group 2, the alkaline earth metals  
  3. Group 7(17), the halogens 
  4. Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides  
  5. Transition metals  
  6. Reactions of ions in aqueous solution 

Organic chemistry 

  1. Introduction to organic chemistry  
  2. Alkanes  
  3. Halogenoalkanes  
  4. Alkenes  
  5. Alcohols  
  6. Organic analysis 
  7. Optical isomerism 
  8. Aldehydes and ketones 
  9. Carboxylic acids and derivatives 
  10. Aromatic chemistry  
  11. Amines  
  12. Polymers  
  13. Amino acids, proteins and DNA  
  14. Organic synthesis  
  15. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy  
  16. Chromatography 
  17. Required practical 1-12 

AQA Physics: 

Paper 1: 35% 

  1. Measurements and Errors 
  2. Particles and radiation 
  3. Electricity 
  4. Mechanics and materials 
  5. Waves 
  6. Further Mechanics 

Paper 2: 35% 

  1. Fields and their consequences 
  2. Thermal Physics 
  3. Nuclear Physics 

Paper 3: 30% 

  1. Turning points in Physics 
  2. Required practical 1-12 

Homework 

KS3: Week A: Tassomai Homework (online); Week B – Exam practice AND  
For the independent reading booklet, read one article per week and write a summary. Also, complete the new vocabulary table.  

KS4: Week A: Tassomai Homework (online); Week B – Exam practice  

Year 10: For the independent reading booklet, read one article per week and write a summary. Also, complete the new vocabulary table. 

Year 11:  Complete revision pack two topics per week 

KS5: Every student in KS5 gets homework after every lesson which includes exam practice and pre-reading for the next lesson. 

Enrichment Opportunities 

All students will be enriched primarily through the study of a diverse curriculum reflecting the multicultural community and society of the students. This will be enhanced through trips and visits to Whipsnade Beach and the Science Museum.  

In school, the Science Department also runs a ‘COP 28’ day, British Science Week, Women in Science and World Science Day for different year groups, offering the chance for students to see scientific topics directly or indirectly related to the curriculum. In KS5, students will participate in an Olympiad Science competition which recognises excellence in young scientists through annual competitions.