Science is taught in all years by specialist teachers, delivering all strands of the curriculum, in purpose built laboratories.
Extra-curricular opportunities include Science club and visits to Monkey World and Intech Science & Technology Centre.
KS3 Science
The Science curriculum at Key Stage Three aims to help students to understand the relevance of Science in everyday life, not only to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed at GCSE level, but also to show students that a sound knowledge of Scientific ideas will be vital to their future.
GCSE Science
A new course started in September 2007 called 21st Century Science. All pupils study this course which is related to everyday life and experience. The course is based on the New National Programme of study.
Year 10 Core (All pupils – 1 GCSE):
- Biology - You and your Genes
- Biology - Keeping Healthy
- Biology - Life on Earth
- Chemistry - Air Quality
- Chemistry - Material Choices
- Chemistry - The Earth in the Universe
- Physics - The Earth in the Universe
- Physics - Radiation and Life
- Physics - Radioactive Materials
These units are weighted at 50%. The coursework element is weighted at 50% and includes pre-release material which is examined, a practical element and a case study. Pupils who find Science difficult will study this Core GCSE over Years 10 and 11 for 1 GCSE. Most pupils will study for 2 GCSEs in Science and in Year 11 with take a further GCSE which can be either:
- Additional Science (pathway to A level) or
- Additional Applied Science (more practically based)
The additional Applied Science consists of 3 modules:
- Life Care
- Scientific Detaction
- Materials and Performance
The combined modules equal 50% of the GCSE and the other 50% comprises of a work related portfolio.
The Additional Science GCSE consists of 9 Modules:
- Biology - Homeostatis
- Biology - Growth and Development
- Biology - Brain and Mind
- Chemistry - Chemical Patterns
- Chemistry - Chemicals of the Natural Enviroment
- Chemistry - Chemical Synthesis
- Physics - Explaining Movement
- Physics - Electric Circuits
- Physics - The Wave model of Radiation
These modules combine to form 65% of the GCSE and the final 35% is from an internally assessed investigation.
Revision books will need to be purchased for this course and revision sessions after school will be offered prior to the exams in January and June.
Coursework deadlines for year 11 are January.
As of September 2008 we now also offer:
- Triple Science at Portchester
- The students study Biology, Chemistry and Physics, sitting separate examinations in each subject
- At the end of the course, students will have qualifications in GCSE Biology, GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Physics
- Every student achieving a high level 6 or above has an opportunity to study Triple Science
- The examinations can be taken at either Foundation or Higher Level
- Each subject has four components:
- Unit 1 - testing modules 1, 2 and 3
- Unit 2 - testing modules 4, 5 and 6
- Unit 3 - ideas in context plus module 7
- Coursework
- Units 1 and 2 combined = one third of marks
- Unit 3 = one third of marks
- Coursework = one third of marks
- Revision books will need to be purchased to ensure success in this course
