Ratcliffe-College-Key-Stage-3-Handbook-2016-2017

you have covered. The scores you achieve in these tests will also have a KS3
National Curriculum level awarded.
How will you be grouped
You will be taught in your teaching groups in Year 7. Each group is a mixed
ability group and each group is taught by one science teacher. In Year 8, Science
is taught in ability groups, and there are two higher sets and two lower sets.
Specialist equipment
When carrying out practical work where chemicals or dissections are involved
you will be expected to wear protective laboratory aprons and safety goggles.
We provide these. You should always carry with you basic school equipment i.e.
pens (blue or black), pencil, rubber, ruler and a pencil sharpener; it is also useful
in Science lessons to have a calculator.
What you will study:
‣ IGCSE topics:
Year 9 Biology
o Characteristics of living organisms
o Variety of living organisms
o Organisation of cell structure
o Biological molecules
o Movement of substances
o Nutrition and Respiration
Teaching approaches:
You will be taught in sets and will work individually, but also work in small groups
for some of your practical lessons. You will be given the opportunity to do
individual scientific investigations, which involves planning exercises, carrying
out the practical investigation and analysing your data. Some of the work you do
will involve carrying out a short research study on a particular topic, and will
involve work in the library as well as in the computer room. You will give a short
presentation of this work to the rest of the class.
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