Middle Department Science

The Science Team at BSK aims to stimulate and develop an interest, enthusiasm and enjoyment in the acquisition of scientific knowledge and skills. The teachers encourage an attitude of curiosity and enquiry and an awareness of the relevance of Science to everyday life. This includes the development of students' awareness of social, economic, moral, spiritual and ethical issues within Science.

In Middle Department, students study an integrated Science course based on the English National Curriculum. The topics combine elements of the three main scientific disciplines – Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Content Overview

• Year 6: Maths in science, interdependence and adaptation, micro-organisms, dissolving, reversible and irreversible changes, forces, how we see things, circuits.
• Year 7: Cells, reproduction, chemistry in the laboratory, particles and reactions, energy and circuits, forces and speed.
• Year 8: Keeping healthy; studying disease; separating mixtures; atoms, elements and compounds; magnetism; sound and heat transfer.

Time Allocation

All students in the Middle Department receive three 65 minute lessons of science per week. Homework, in the form of written tasks, research or revision of work, will be set twice a week.

Assessment

Progress is frequently monitored through standardised tests and National Curriculum Level assessed tasks at the end of each topic. Students are also encouraged to set regular targets for improvement, to develop their understanding and further their progress in the subject.

Teaching Methods

Students learn through practical activities wherever possible – supported by teacher notes, textbooks, worksheets, the Science pages on the BSK Virtual Learning Environment, video and other visual resources.