Science

Science Curriculum Overview

Intent
The Science Faculty at HDHS aims to provide all students with the opportunity to explore and understand science as a means of opening doors to discovery and future opportunities. The faculty seeks to cultivate a deep love and understanding of how the world works through engaging and practical science education. Emphasising both academic and personal development, the curriculum is designed to nurture students’ curiosity, develop practical skills, and improve teamwork, communication, numeracy, and literacy. By making abstract scientific concepts relevant to students' everyday lives and cultural capital, the faculty hopes to prepare students for the challenges of the future, including global issues like climate change and sustainability.

Implementation
Science is a core subject for all students in Key Stages 3 and 4, with an emphasis on scientific skills such as problem-solving, enquiry, and creative thinking. The faculty is transitioning from a traditional model where KS3 and KS4 are separate, to a continuous five-year learning journey. The ARK Mastery Plus curriculum is being introduced in years 7 and 9, while years 8, 10, and 11 follow a mixed curriculum. This shift ensures comprehensive content coverage, despite the differing sequencing between the ARK and previous curricula.

In the classroom, active teaching strategies like mini-whiteboards, no-opt-out questioning, and regular knowledge checks are employed, helping to engage students and reinforce learning. Differentiation allows teachers to meet the needs of diverse learners, including those who are disadvantaged or have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The curriculum offers two pathways at GCSE: Trilogy (double award) and Triple (separate sciences) to cater to varying levels of student attainment. Summative assessments are used regularly across key stages to track progress, and feedback from these assessments informs targeted interventions to close learning gaps. Additionally, students benefit from digital tools like Educake and Sparx Science, which promote recall and self-assessment, further enhancing learning outcomes.

Extra-curricular opportunities, such as STEM competitions, trips, and events allow students to expand their scientific interests beyond the classroom.

Impact
The impact of the Science Faculty’s approach is regularly evaluated through a robust assessment system, which includes three data points throughout the year to track progress. These assessments, combined with classroom observations, inform teacher predictions of student grades, which are closely monitored by department leaders. The ongoing transition to the ARK curriculum is supported by continuous evaluation and adjustment to ensure accurate assessments and consistent teaching practices across all year groups.

The restructuring of the curriculum is intended to provide clearer feedback to students about their strengths and areas for improvement. This process has already led to improved student participation in homework and greater engagement in class. Furthermore, extra-curricular activities have contributed to higher levels of attainment and greater student interest in the subject. Over time, the faculty expects these initiatives to have a positive impact on overall student achievement, with data showing improvements in both class participation and exam results.