Science
Vision
At Goffs Churchgate, our purpose is to ignite a lifelong sense of wonder about the natural world, empowering students to explore, question, and understand the forces that shape their lives. Through engaging study of biology, chemistry, and physics at Key Stages 3 and 4, students cultivate deep scientific knowledge, hands-on expertise, and the critical mindset necessary to investigate real-world phenomena, overcome challenges, and shape a future in which they can thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Overview
The Science curriculum is designed to engage students in a journey of curiosity, exploration, and understanding across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
In Year 7, as students transition from Year 6 into secondary school, they begin by developing foundational Experimental Skills, exploring observable phenomena through hands-on investigations, learning to ask questions, follow procedures safely, take accurate measurements, and record data effectively. These early experiences lay the groundwork for a lifelong curiosity about the natural world.
In Year 8, students build on this foundation by asking why scientific phenomena occur, exploring the underlying principles behind chemical reactions, biological adaptations, and physical processes. They apply their practical skills in more complex investigations, refine their ability to control variables, and begin to link observations to scientific explanations. This encourages deeper reasoning and supports students in thinking like scientists.
By Year 9, students progress further, asking how processes occur while continuing to explore why they happen. They plan and carry out investigations more independently, analyse data critically, evaluate the reliability of their results, and justify conclusions using scientific models. Their understanding of core concepts across disciplines deepens, enabling them to explain both macro- and micro-level processes, and to apply this understanding to real-world contexts.
By the time GCSE teaching begins in Year 10, students have already developed crucial practical skills, analytical abilities, and scientific reasoning. They are able to make connections between scientific knowledge and its wider applications in society, health, technology, and the environment. This preparation ensures that students approach GCSE study with confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for understanding both the theoretical and practical aspects of science.
