Science

Science Department Intent

At Lathom we believe all students are entitled to an ambitious and engaging science education that is challenging, enjoyable and enriches them with the knowledge and skills to be successful in every aspect of their lives.
Our aims in the Science department are to ensure that at both key stages all students:

• Are equipped with scientific knowledge to develop their understanding of the world around them through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
• Empowered with the skills of thinking scientifically so they can predict, analyse and evaluate.
• Develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena and understand how Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s prosperity.
• Develop their practical skills and their ability to work with a broad range of scientific equipment to investigate and explore.
• Have exposure to a wide variety of careers and career pathways open to them through science.

The Science Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Students in years 7, 8 & 9 receive eight 60 minute lessons a fortnight with homework, set in line with our school policy. Progress is tracked and monitored through regular knowledge checks and two larger formative assessments.

Key Stage 4

At Lathom students can choose to study one of the following AQA GCSE routes:-

AQA Combined Science: Trilogy
All students take this route unless they take Science as an option in Yr 9. Students will receive 9 lessons (3 Biology, 3 Chemistry and 3 Physics) over the two-week timetable.

AQA Separate Sciences: GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics
Students that selected Science as an option in Yr 9 take this route.  
Students will receive 14 lessons split between Biology, Chemistry and Physics over the two-week timetable.

Enrichment Opportunities

• Big Bang Fair Trip
• Chester Zoo Trip
• KS3 STEM club
• KS4 Science Clinics
• KS4 Science Ambassadors

How to Support your Child’s Learning

Support your child with homework. Ask them questions about what they are learning about in Science and how it applies to the real world around them. Watch documentaries with them and talk about how the world is changing and the impact that humans are having on the world.

Where to go

• Museum of Science & Industry Manchester
• Natural History Museum
• Eureka
• Knowsley Safari Park
• Chester zoo
• Blackpool zoo
• Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
• The Sealife Centre
• Blue planet Aquarium

What to watch

• Gadget Show on Discovery Science – The Gadget Show previews and reviews all the latest and future technology to give you an insight into tomorrow’s gadgets today
• Brain Games on National Geographic – Brain Games is an American popular science television series that explores cognitive science by focusing on illusions, psychological experiments, and counterintuitive thinking
• Nat Geo Extreme Wild on National Geographic – From the most remote environments, to the forbidding depths of our oceans, to the protected parks on our doorsteps, Nat Geo Wild will use spectacular cinematography and compelling storytelling to take viewers on unforgettable journeys into the wild world 
• Modern Marvels on History – Modern Marvels is an American worldwide television series that formerly aired on the History Channel. The programme focuses on how technologies affect and are used in modern society
• Prehistoric on Animal Planet – Prehistoric Park is a six-part docu-fiction television mini-series that premiered on ITV on 22 July 2006 and on Animal Planet on 29 October 2006

What to read

• Horrible Sciences
• Catalyst Magazine
• Bad Science Series
• KS3 CGP Revision Guides
• BBC Operation Ouch
• 500 Things You Should Know about Science
• Richard Hammond Blast Lab
• Focus Magazine

Online

• www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/catalyst
• www.sciencemag.org
• www.discovermagazine.com
• www.popsci.com
• www.bbcbitesize.co.uk
• www.newscientist.com
• www.sciencefocus.com
• www.senecalearning.com

Future Careers

Overall Science Curriculum Roadmap