Science & STEM
at Bishop Perowne Church of England College
Intent
In Science, our intent is to provide powerful knowledge and wisdom to all students, creating limitless opportunities for their future.
The Science curriculum is designed to develop a deep understanding of the natural world while fostering a lifelong interest in discovery. Through rigorous scientific enquiry, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, providing a strong foundation for their future academic and professional pathways.
Key Stages 3 & 4
The Science curriculum is anchored by fifteen fundamental ideas across the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our carefully structured spiral curriculum ensures that students progressively build on key concepts, developing from foundational understanding to deeper conceptual mastery within each topic area.
The curriculum is designed to develop substantive knowledge through a highly structured, content-rich framework. This is complemented by strong disciplinary knowledge and skills, providing students with extensive opportunities to develop and apply scientific enquiry throughout each stage of their learning.
KS3
At Key Stage 3, students explore fundamental themes including cellular structure and function, states of matter and the principles of energy. While our curriculum comprehensively covers the requirements of the National Curriculum, it is also enriched with advanced content that provides broader real-world context, such as investigating the global impact of coronaviruses within the Year 8 Microbes and Disease module.
Practical learning is central to our approach. Students engage in a diverse range of scientific investigations, from constructing complex electrical circuits to carrying out precise chemical reactions and analysing nutritional groups using specialised reagents.
These hands-on opportunities are carefully structured to develop essential scientific enquiry skills, establishing a strong practical foundation that is further developed as students progress to Key Stage 4.
KS4
At Key Stage 4, students follow the AQA Science specification. We offer both Combined Science and Separate (Triple) Science pathways, allowing students to achieve either two or three GCSE qualifications in Science.
Students explore each of the core concepts in greater depth, enabling them to confidently apply their theoretical understanding to a range of real-world contexts. For example, when studying electrical systems, students investigate the wiring of domestic mains plugs, the protective function of fuses and the role of the Earth wire in reducing the risk of electric shock.
Similarly, within our study of organisms and their environments, students build on their Key Stage 3 anatomical knowledge through hands-on cardiovascular dissections. This practical experience helps them develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between the structure and function of the heart.
Assessment & Lessons
Assessment within the Science department is multifaceted, designed to evaluate both students’ substantive knowledge and their disciplinary and analytical skills.
In every lesson, teachers use low-stakes retrieval strategies, such as mini whiteboards, to quickly check understanding and address gaps in learning. This is supported by fortnightly formative feedback, where students review and respond to authentic examination questions completed in class.
Our end-of-topic assessments are structured to identify and address specific misconceptions. In addition, cumulative examinations challenge students to retain and apply knowledge over time, while developing their scientific enquiry and problem-solving skills.
Enrichment & Co-curricular
Beyond the classroom, our STEM Club provides students with a wide range of practical opportunities that extend beyond the National Curriculum. Students develop their scientific enquiry skills through exciting investigations, including elephant’s toothpaste, rocket propulsion and screaming jelly babies.
We also offer an advanced Robotics Club for Key Stage 4 students. Our students have achieved regional success and competed nationally, working collaboratively to design, build and code their own robotic systems before completing challenges against schools from across the UK.
Through our knowledge-rich curriculum and co-curricular opportunities, we aim to give every student a strong scientific foundation, preparing them to deepen their understanding of the world around them and succeed in their future academic and professional pathways.
