It is our intention to have a science curriculum which is taught in an engaging, stimulating and intellectually challenging environment.

We aim to encourage and enable pupils to:

• Increase scientific literacy and engagement
• Develop knowledge, wisdom and skills required to make informed decisions based on evidence and fact
• Develop skills of scientific inquiry to design and carry out investigations and evaluate scientific evidence to draw conclusions
• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics

At KS3, pupils begin to develop their scientific skills and understand key concepts fundamental to their time at High School. The course is designed to build on foundational concepts explored at KS2 whilst aiming to prepare them for the content covered at KS4 and in their GCSEs. The curriculum is designed in such a way that some skills and content from KS4 that is transferrable to KS3 has been spiralled down to allow pupils to build upon ideas and knowledge.

We strive to deliver a rich and diverse KS3 curriculum fostering a natural interest and enjoyment of science. The lessons are constantly being updated and adapted to fit with the changing world and to remain current and relevant for our pupils.

Most of our KS4 pupils will follow AQA Trilogy combined science route, this means that the pupils will achieve 2 GCSEs in science (9-9 to 1-1).

The course follows on from our KS3 science curriculum as we move from previous ideas taught and add greater context and detail. Our aim is to teach key scientific concepts that pupils can draw upon when making important decisions. For example, we teach the science of what is administered to patients when they are vaccinated, we evaluate the risks and benefits so that pupils are capable of making informed decisions about the treatments they may receive. Pupils will also learn how scientists work to further advance our knowledge and understanding of the world. Our pupils take part in practical tasks in science, use mathematical skills to process and interpret data, in addition to reading about the science taking place in the world around us.

The course is examined by 6 external exams at the end of Year 11, there will be 2 biology, 2 chemistry and 2 physics. Each exam is worth 70 marks and lasts 1 hour 15 minutes. Pupils will be entered for 1 tier across all 6 exams either higher (grades 9-9 to 4-4) or foundation tier (5-5 to 1-1). The pupil's final grade will be awarded based on an average of their performance across all 3 science disciplines.

Pupils who choose to take science as an option will follow the triple science route. This means that the pupils will gain three separate GCSE grades for biology, chemistry and physics.

The courses follow a similar structure to that of Combined Science, however Triple Science goes into greater detail in each of the three science disciplines. The courses are intended for pupils who have a keen interest in the sciences and plan to study them further once they leave Ribblesdale.

The courses are examined by total of 6 external exams at the end of Year 11 across the 3 qualifications. Each exam is worth 100 marks and lasts 1 hour 45 minutes. Pupils will be entered for one tier across each qualification, for example pupils could be entered for higher biology but foundation physics. There are different grades available for each tier. Foundation tier is grades 5 to 1 and higher is grades 9 to 4, each science discipline’s GCSE grade will be awarded independently.

Throughout KS4 and KS3, ILOs and ILRs help develop the course beyond the curriculum. The lessons link to careers in science and we look at the pathways to get into them. We encourage pupils to become Science ambassadors which help out at various functions such as open evening or Science Week. During Science Week, we have visitors who look at aspects outside the classroom that enrich the curriculum, taking trips to local providers such as UCLAN and Burnley College to further engage in science outside the classroom.