Year 10
During HT1, Year 10 students finished the GCSE Chemistry Topics Structure and Bonding and also Chemical Changes. Students practiced their working scientifically skills in determining the pH of substances, making a soluble salt from insoluble salts and electrolysis. These fundamental skills learnt in the Required Practical’s are frequently assessed in the GCSE examinations. Students spent a considerable amount of time describing how the properties of a substance are related to the bonding that exists between the elements.
Connor (Year 10)
Connor successful answered an examination question regarding the formation of sodium chloride. Connor demonstrated excellent examination rubric skills in this question and was awarded full marks.
Timo and Coby (Year 10)
Timo and Coby investigated the pH of common household substances. Both students were able to identify whether a substance was acidic or alkali and also describe the strength of the acidity/alkalinity. They conducted the practical following the procedure and demonstrated excellent health and safety techniques.
Year 11
Our Year 11 students started the academic year exploring the Inheritance topic, which focusses on genetics. This has given them several opportunities to develop their knowledge of interesting aspects of Science, linking this to real life. During the Physics topic students practiced their mathematical skills in completing several different mathematical equations. Further work on the Forces topic allowed students to describe the different types of forces and how objects are affected by these forces.
Emily (Year 11)
Emily is able to successful compare sexual and asexual reproduction. During this extended response purple zone, Emily used comparative language in her response, a higher level skill which is commonly assessed in the examinations.
Riley (Year 11)
Riley completed several calculations using the weight equation. He was also able to demonstrate a higher skill by rearranging the equation to calculate mass and gravity. This was extended once again to provide answers to the correct number of significant figures, a key mathematical skill frequently assessed in the examinations.