Science, Computer Science and Business Studies

Members of Staff

Mrs C. Riley: Head of Science
Mr T. Beaumont: Teacher of Science/Acting Vice Principal
Mrs C Bodycote: Teacher of Science
Mr C. Chatburn: Teacher of Science/Head of Year 11
Mr T. Moore: Vice Principal and Teacher of Science
Mrs R. Chana: ITT coordinator and Teacher of Science
Mrs V. Dewshi: Teacher of Science
Ms I. Ahmed: Teacher of Science
Ms F. Hassan: Teacher of Science
Ms J. Moss: Lab Technician

Subject Overview

The study of science ignites pupils’ curiosity about phenomena in the world around them and offers opportunities to find explanations. It engages learners at many levels, linking direct practical experience with scientific ideas. Experimentation and modelling are used to develop and evaluate explanations, encouraging critical and creative thought. Pupils learn how knowledge and understanding in science are rooted in evidence. They discover how scientific ideas contribute to technological change – affecting industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. They trace the development of science worldwide and recognise its cultural significance. They learn to question and discuss issues that may affect their own lives, the direction of society and the future of the world

Key Stage 3

The learners are put into two bands in KS3, with ability sets in Years 7 & 8.

Years 7 & 8 have 4 lessons per week.

We will be following the Activate scheme of work.

Year 7

Topics covered include:

• Elements, Atoms and Compounds
• Chemical reactions
• Acids and Alkalis
• Cells
• Reproduction
• Structure & Function of Body Systems
• Forces
• Sound
• Light
• Space

 

Year 8

Topics covered include:

• Healthy lifestyle
• Ecosystems
• Adaptations & Inheritance
• Periodic Table
• Separation Techniques
• Metals & Acids
• The Earth
• Electricity & Magnetism
• Energy
• Motion & Pressure

 

Key Stage 4

Learners are put into sets according to their academic ability in Year 9, 10 and 11. All students will study Science in KS4. Most learners will complete the AQA Combined Science: Trilogy, which offers two GCSEs. This is a linear qualification with six 1 hour 15 minute exams at the end of year 11.

A small number of learners who achieve well at KS3 are considered for studying AQA triple science. This will gain pupils three separate GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Pupils must commit to 7 hours of Science per week across KS4. Again this is a linear qualification with six 1 hour 45 minute exams at the end of year 11.

 

Resources to support your child at home

Exam board – AQA

Exam board resources such as Combined Science/Separate Science specifications, schemes of work and past papers can be found at:

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse

Suggested revision guides to purchase:

http://www.collins.co.uk/category/Revision/GCSE+-+Ages+14-16

https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/Parent/books_gcse_science_new

https://global.oup.com/education/content/secondary/series/aqa-gcse-science-3ed/?region=uk

Please note – for all revision guides you will need to consider whether to purchase the higher or foundation tier AQA revision guide. Revision guides can be purchased from the Science faculty at the start of term for a reduced price.

Useful websites for home study

senecalearning.com

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zrkw2hv

http://www.s-cool.co.uk/

http://www.my-gcsescience.com/

 https://www.gcsepod.com/gcsepod_content/sciences/

https://www.kerboodle.com/users/login

Kerboodle requires login details that have been provided to pupils. Once logged on, pupils can access homework tasks set by their teachers.

Members of Staff: 

Mr S. Kadiri - Head of Computer Science 
Mr A. Damani - Teacher of Computer Science & Business/Head of Year 10

Topics Studied at KS3: 

We teach Key Stage 3 within two years rather than the more traditional three years. Students have 1 lesson of Computer Science weekly and study a wide variety of units covering the following strands of assessment: Algorithms; Programming and Development; Data and Data Representation; Hardware and Processing; Communication and Networks; and Information Technology. 

 

 

Examination offered and studied at KS4: 

Examination Board: 

• OCR GCSE Computer Science (Grade 9 – 1) – J277 

 

Students will sit two written exams in year 11 each worth 50% of the overall qualification grade. Paper 1 will focus on Computer systems and Paper 2 will focus on computational thinking, algorithms and Programming. Each paper lasts 1hour and 30mins each are scored out of 80 marks and they are both no-calculator exams (no calculators allowed).  

 

Trips/Visits: 

The Computer Science Faculty has organised various trips and visits in the last few years. Some of these include Sky Sports Studio visit in West London, and Visits to Tablet Academy courses in local schools. There are plans to organise more trips to places such as The Computing Museum and Bletchley Park plus various others that will encourage students to make the expected or better progress in their respective courses. 

 

How can you help your child with homework in Computer Science?: 

KS3 

• Homework is based around key IT and Digital employability skills using the iDEA Award badges (https://idea.org.uk/) and these are set fortnightly via 
  https://www.showmyhomework.co.uk/ 

• Ask if you can help, encourage your child to do their best with their homework.

• You can help them with presentation, spelling and by checking whether the work is complete. 

 

KS4 

• Homework is set using a dedicated Computer Science revision platform called Smart Revise (https://smartrevise.online/) and is set fortnightly via 
  https://www.showmyhomework.co.uk/ 

• Ask your child if they have any homework. 

• Encourage your child to complete homework on time. 

• Remind them to put adequate effort into their homework. 

 

Here are some websites that may help with your child’s homework: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z34k7ty 

BBC GCSE bitesize has lots of useful revision and self-testing pages for GCSE students 

http://www.teach-ict.com/2016/ks3/ks3_home.html 

Ideal for Key Stage 3 revision and short tests. 

 

Members of Staff:

Mr A. Damani - Head of Business

                                                                   

Edexcel GCSE Business:

Theme 1 concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. It provides a framework for students to explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business. In this theme, students will be introduced to local and national business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions. Local contexts refer specifically to small businesses or those operating in a single UK location and national contexts relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK. Students must develop an understanding of the interdependent nature of business activity through interactions between business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, as well as the relationship between the business and the environment in which it operates. Students must understand how these interdependencies and relationships underpin business decisions. Teaching approaches to the content must reflect this.

 

Theme 2 examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. Theme 2 also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows. In this theme, students will be introduced to national and global business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions. National contexts build on those in Theme 1 and relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK. Global contexts relate to non-UK or transnational businesses. Students must develop an understanding of the interdependent nature of business activity through interactions between business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, as well as the relationship between the business and the environment in which it operates. Students must understand how these functional areas influence business activity and how interdependencies and relationships between them underpin business decisions. Teaching approaches to the content must reflect this.

 

Topics Studied at KS4 Business

 

Topics covered in Year 9:

·         Topic 1.1: Enterprise and entrepreneurship

1.1.1: The dynamic nature of business

1.1.2: Risk and reward

1.1.3: The role of business enterprise

·         Topic 1.2: Spotting a business opportunity

1.2.1: Customer needs

1.2.2: Market research

1.2.3: Market Segmentation

1.2.4: The competitive environment

·         Topic 1.3: Putting a business idea into practice 

1.3.1: Business aims and objectives 

1.3.2: Business revenues, costs and profits

1.3.3: Cash and cash-flow

1.3.4: Sources of business finance

·         Topic 1.4: Making the business effective

1.4.1: The options for start-up and small business  

1.4.2: Business location

1.4.3: The marketing mix

1.4.4: Business plans 

·         End of year test to reconsolidate 4 topics covered

 

Topics covered in Year 10:

·         Topic 1.5: Understanding external influence on business

1.5.1: Business stakeholders  

1.5.2: Technology and business

1.5.3: Legislation and business

1.5.4: The economy and business

1.5.5: External influences 

·         End of paper 1 test to reconsolidate 5 units

Topic 1.1: Enterprise and entrepreneurship

Topic 1.2: Spotting a business opportunity

Topic 1.3: Putting a business idea into practice

Topic 1.4: Making the business effective

Topic 1.5: Understanding external influence on business

·         Topic 2.1: Growing the business

2.1.1: Business growth

2.1.2: Changes in business aims and objectives

2.1.3: Business and globalisation 

2.1.4: Ethics, the environment and business 

·         Topic 2.2: Making marketing decisions

2.2.1: Product 

2.2.2: Price 

2.2.3: Promotion  

2.2.4: Place 

2.2.5: Using the marketing mix to make business decisions 

·         Topic 2.3: Making operational decisions

2.3.1:  Business operations

2.3.2:  Working with suppliers

2.3.3:  Managing quality   

2.3.4:  The sales process

·         End of year test to reconsolidate 8 topics

 

Topics covered in Year 11:

·         Topic 2.4: Making financial decisions

2.4.1: Business calculations   

2.4.2: Understanding business performance

·         Topic 2.5: Making human resource decisions

2.5.1: Organisational structure

2.5.2: Effective recruitment

2.5.3: Effective training and development    

2.5.4: Motivation   

·         End of year test to reconsolidate both exam papers

Topic 1.1: Enterprise and entrepreneurship

Topic 1.2: Spotting a business opportunity

Topic 1.3: Putting a business idea into practice

Topic 1.4: Making the business effective

Topic 1.5: Understanding external influence on business

Topic 2.1: Growing the business

Topic 2.2: Making marketing decisions

Topic 2.3: Making operational decisions

Topic 2.4: Making financial decisions

Topic 2.5: Making human resource decisions

·         Focus on exam strategies

 

Examination Board:

·         Edexcel Business – Theme 1: Investigating small business 1BS0/01

·         Edexcel Business – Theme 2: Building a business 1BS0/02

 

This is a GCSE qualification which will be delivered in year 9, 10 and 11. Students will sit two written exams in year 11 worth 50% each, weighing 90 marks per exam paper and will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the paper.

 

Assessment information:

● First assessment: May/June 2021.

● The assessment is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

● The assessment is out of 90 marks.

● Questions will relate to the content that appears in Theme 2 and students may draw on underpinning knowledge and understanding developed through Theme 1 as appropriate.

● The paper is divided into three sections. o Section A: 35 marks o Section B: 30 marks o Section C: 25 marks.

● Students must answer all questions.

● The paper will consist of calculations, multiple–choice, short–answer and extended–writing questions.

● The paper will include questions that target mathematics at a minimum of Key Stage 3 level.

● Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper.

● Calculators may be used in the examination. Information on the use of calculators during the examinations for this qualification can be found in Appendix 4: Calculators

 

Trips/Visits:

The Business department with the Computer Science department previously has organised trips to Sky Sports Studio visit in West London, and Visits to Tablet Academy courses in local schools. This year we hope to organise the Teen Technology Award and various others that will encourage students to make the expected or better progress in their respective courses. We will continue to organise trips to cater for out students learning needs, giving them the best possible future chances.

 

How can you help your child with homework in Business?:

·         Homework is set weekly via

https://www.showmyhomework.co.uk/

·         Homework is completed on Seneca Learning, all students have access to this platform and can be used on any device.

·         Ask your child if they have any homework. 

·         Encourage your child to complete homework on time. 

·         Remind them to put adequate effort into their homework.

 

Here are some websites that may help with your child’s homework:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z98snbk

BBC GCSE bitesize has lots of useful revision and self-testing pages for GCSE students

 

https://www.twoteachers.co.uk/

Revision guides, hints, tips and a range of resources for students to work on to build their business knowledge

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9uWsZ2C3NYzzKRIo_mntw

Ex teacher who specialises in delivering revision materials for students at GCSE level

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd4lON3OznEHVSdhfe4eu4w

Interactive animated learning guide to recall and reconsolidate key terminology