SCIENCE At Gosforth East Middle School HOW MANY

SCIENCE At Gosforth East Middle School

HOW MANY LESSONS WILL WE HAVE? • In KS 2, we have 3 science lessons per week. • Year 5 will be taught in the classroom, but will use the laboratory when required. • Year 6 will be taught in the laboratory most lessons. • In KS 3, we have 4 science lessons per week. • All KS 3 lessons are taught in the laboratory.

ARE PUPILS TAUGHT IN SETS FOR SCIENCE? • Pupils are taught in mixed ability groups for all science lessons, at KS 2 and KS 3. Lessons are differentiated to allow all pupils to make good progress and are designed to stimulate and challenge learners of all abilities. • At GEMS, we make good use of the science labs, exploring science principles and theories with the use of practical work and theoretical understanding.

WHICH TOPICS ARE COVERED? • A range of topics are covered over KS 2 and KS 3 in science. • At the beginning of every school year, we start by looking at safety in science lessons. Year 5 • • • Year 6 • In the Autumn term, we study Chemistry topics. • In the Spring term, we study Biology topics. • In the Summer term, we study Physics topics. Autumn Term • Safety • Changes of state • Simple separation • Materials • Reversible/ irreversible processes • • Year 7 • • • Year 8 • Safety Materials Complex separating techniques Dissolving Bunsen Burner Spring Term • Living things and habitats • Animal Classification • Food webs • • • Lifecycles Life processes Adaptation Variation Evolution Summer Term • Light • Earth and space Forces Simple electricity Safety • Particle model of solids • liquids and gases • Acid and Alkalis Body systems and • organs • Cells and Microscope • Photosynthesis Electricity Heating and cooling Earth and Space Safety Chemistry Reproduction and genetics Food and Digestion Respiration The Heart and circulation Forces Energy Atoms and elements Compounds and mixtures Earth science and the rock cycle • • •

IS THERE ANY SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR SCIENCE LESSONS? • There is no specialist equipment required for science lessons. • Goggles will be provided for practical work. • Any pupil with long hair will be asked to tie hair up during practical lessons.

WHAT SCIENCE CLUBS DO WE HAVE? • There is a science club run on a Monday and Wednesday lunch time, this starts after October half-term and runs until May half-term. • In the club, we look at various STEM science projects and carry out practical investigations and activities. • The club is for Year 6 in the Autumn term, Year 7 and 8 in the Spring term, and Year 5 in the Summer term. • The club is open to any child who has an interest in science.

HOW OFTEN IS HOMEWORK SET? • Homework in Science is set to support and reinforce learning done in the classroom, the homework will be a combination of projects, booklets and online work. • In KS 2, homework is set on a half-termly basis, with a booklet for the pupil to complete as the topics are worked through in class. • In KS 3, homework will be a combination of online tasks and more in-depth projects in which pupils are given a number of weeks for completion.

HOW DO WE ASSESS PUPIL S IN SCIENCE? • Each topic has a set of targets, and at the end of each topic, pupils complete a review of their understanding with questions which are linked to their targets. • At the end of each term, pupils will complete a test to consolidate their learning. • At the start of KS 2, there is a year 5 baseline test. This covers all science topics taught in years 1 -4. • At the end of KS 3, there is a High school test. This covers all science topics taught in years 5 -8.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? • If you have any further questions, please call or email Mrs. Scollen in the Science department. karen. scollen@gosfortheast. Newcastle. sch. uk Mrs. Scollen, Miss Hudson and Mr. Waddell look forward to welcoming you to GEMS!