The friends of bourne
Curriculum Intent
Science at Bourne Community College provides a broad curriculum which challenges students to develop their curiosity, enquiry skills, knowledge and understanding of science in everyday life.
Students are encouraged to articulate scientific concepts clearly and precisely.
Our curriculum delivers an accessible pathway for more advance science based study, providing a gateway into a wide range of career opportunities
Science vision
To empower all students with the skills and scientific knowledge to achieve their best outcome in a supportive and inspiring setting.
Open Evening Flyer
Aims
Within the Science department, we aim to guide the students through the various elements of the Science curriculum to provide a strong foundation of knowledge and skills which is broad and balances across all 3 sciences. This enables the students to pursue their future goals in any direction they choose.
Our curriculum is designed to enrich students’ knowledge and passion for Science through understanding its impact and influence locally, nationally and globally. We use practical investigation and associated activities to engage students to make them excited and engaged about learning Science while also providing high quality teaching.
Whilst we focus and drive success during their time here, we also promote and support independent enquiry skills and the moral and social implications of Science, in order to develop our students holistically.
Learning Journey
Our learning journeys give a visual overview of the curriculum content covered in each subject. They will help you understand how students make progress in different topics over the years they are with us.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview
The Activate course is designed to match the new Key Stage 3 programme of study and to help prepare students for success in their GCSEs. It has a flexible route of study with an engaging and contemporary approach to Science. Pupils will be actively involved in lessons incorporating practical’s, maths and literacy along with fun facts, quizzes and questions to engage students. In Year 7 students will study topics such as cells, structure and functions of body systems, reactions, particles and their behaviour, forces and space. In Year 8 students will study topics such as health and lifestyle, ecosystems, the Earth, the periodic table and energy.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | |
| Biology | Cell Biology Human Biology |
Healthy Lifestyle Ecology and Evolution Plant Biology |
| Chemistry | Particle Model of Matter Chemical Changes Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table |
Reactions The Earth and Resources |
| Physics | Space Sound and Light Forces |
Energy Electricity |
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Key Stage 4 Curriculum Overview
All students study Science at GCSE. Students will either study the AQA Separate Science course or the AQA Combined Science course.
The separate Science course will provide students with 3 GCSE grades and the Combined Science course will provide students with 2 GCSE grades. The GCSE Science curriculum will provide students with a broad and balanced understanding of all 3 sciences.
Exams for AQA Separate Science:
Each of the Separate GCSE Science Subjects (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) will have the following;
- Two papers: each paper will assess different topics.
- Duration of each paper: 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Tiers: Foundation and Higher.
- Weighting: the papers are equally weighted. Each is worth 50% of the grade and has 100 marks available.
- Question types: multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.
Exams for AQA Combined Science:
- Six papers: 2 for Biology, 2 for Chemistry and 2 for Physics. Each paper will assess different topics.
- Duration of paper: 1 Hour 15 minutes
- Tiers: Foundation and Higher.
- Weighting: the papers are equally weighted. There are 70 marks available.
- Question types: multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.
Key Words
We aim to support students in their literacy across all curriculum subjects. We provide key word lists as a teaching and learning tool to support student understanding of the technical vocabulary needed to articulate their learning about a particular subject.
Staff
Miss J Church BSc (Hons) – Curriculum Leader of Science (Returns Nov 2025)
Mr N Griggs BSc (Hons) – Assistant Leader in Science (Curriculum lead until Nov 2025)
Mr T Ratcliffe BSc (Hons) – Teacher of Science
Mr A Clarke BSc (Hons) – Teacher of Science
Mr I Salisbury BEng & MSC – Teacher of Science
Mrs J V Walt BSc (Hons) – Teacher of Science
Mrs C Gamble BSc (Hons) – Teacher of Science
Mr D Turner BA (Hons) – Teacher of Science and Pupil Premium Lead
Ms M Perry BA (Hons) – Teacher of Science
Miss H Rogers – Senior Science technician
Mr D Brooks – Science technician
Links to Revision and Additional Study
GCSE Specifications – https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse
https://www.my-gcsescience.com/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z7nygk7
https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/science/
