Years 7 & 8

Pupils will have ten lessons per fortnight plus prep and follow the Nelson Thornes’ Key Stage 3 course "Spotlight Science". They work from textbooks, which are supplemented by photocopied worksheets. Each topic includes:

A checklist for each pupil, stating what he or she should know and be able to do by the end of the topic.

A revision quiz to help them revise the topic.

An end of topic test, which can be directly used to monitor progress through Sc 2-4.

The pupils in year 8 will also have OUP’s Science to 14 textbook to enhance their understanding and help with revision.

The pupils in year 7 are also examined formally in June. In year 8 they are examined formally in January and June (Upper School entrance exam), aiming for at least at level 5:

2003

92% level 5,

68% level 6,

19% level 7

2004

96% level 5,

63% level 6,

17% level 7

2005

95% level 5,

78% level 6,

21% level 7

2006

96% level 5,

76% level 6,

28% level 7

The scholarship group in year 8 will follow the same course but at greater depth (& pace) and experience past Scholarship papers as preparation for that exam.

The topics in year 7 are as follows:

Autumn term: Investigating Science, Materials, Energy, Variety of Life
Spring term: Magnetism and Electricity, Growing Up, Matter
Summer term: Acids and Alkalis, Rocks, Environment

The topics in year 8 are as follows:

Autumn term: Populations & Environment, Using Forces, Elements, Food and Digestion
Spring term: Earth and Space, Staying Alive, Electricity
Summer term: Light and Sound, Plants at Work, Energy (revision), Chemical reactions