Images of Aberlour life

Science

In the Junior Years, we follow the English National Curriculum, integrating a balance of basic Physics, Biology and Chemistry within the following topics:

Year 4

Moving and Growing
Keeping Warm and Cool
Solids and Liquids
Simple Electricity
Friction
Habitats

Year 5

Keeping Healthy
Earth, Sun and Moon
Changing Sounds
Gases around us
Changing State
Life Cycles

Year 6

Forces in Action
How we see things
Changing Circuits
More about Dissolving
Reversible and Irreversible Changes
Interdependence and Adaptation
Micro-organisms

At the Junior end of the school, the emphasis is very much on practical and investigative learning. We aim to stimulate and foster an enjoyment and sound understanding in science. Pupils are continually assessed through oral, practical and written work which is differentiated according to the needs of the individual pupil.

Years 7 and 8

In Years 7 and 8, all pupils study a balance of the sciences. This is taught in the three subject areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The pupils follow the Independent Schools’ Common Entrance Syllabus which is very close to the Key Stage 3 programme of study with a view to taking Scholarship or Common Entrance Examinations during Year 8.

The principal aim at this early stage is to stimulate an interesting, and enjoyment of science and its everyday applications. Work in the classroom is firmly based upon experiments, demonstrations and investigations. The use of IT resources is also integrated into the teaching. There is much discussion, and pupils are encouraged to express themselves freely so that they may learn to do so simply and clearly. Most pupils will have studied science before, although perhaps not in such a structured way. However, this is not assumed, and care is taken where appropriate to make provision for those whose experience is different.