The department has a wealth of resources to engage pupils in the wonder of the living world. Our dedicated and inspiring teaching staff make excellent use of these resources and our beautiful campus to create an exciting, dynamic and illuminating learning environment. Pupils will get to spend time both in and out of the classroom learning about the world around them, and lessons are as hands on as possible to allow pupils to learn through practical experience. Good use is always made of our ‘beyond the syllabus study room’ where pupils can sit, surrounded by a collection of plants and tropical fish, with access to interactive IT equipment and a whole range of resource books.

All pupils study Biology to GCSE level.

KS3

In 1st and 2nd Form we deliver the Springboard KS3 Science course, which has been developed to build, develop and sustain pupils’ knowledge and understanding of science through evidence- and experience-based practice.

The course covers Biology, Chemistry and Physics and enables pupils to master new knowledge through explicit, narrative-driven explanations, extensive independent practice, constant checking for understanding and a coherent approach to long-term knowledge and retrieval practice. 

GCSE

Courses offered:

• AQA KS3 Science [Biology Component]
• AQA GCSE Trilogy [Biology Component]
• AQA GCSE Biology
• A LEVEL Biology [OCR Biology A]

Find out more about our Biology GCSE, including course content and assessment, here: GCSE Subject Options Brochure.

A Level

Biology is the study of life. From the complexities of human genome regulation at the molecular level to the role of the simplest organisms in supporting wider ecosystem biodiversity, Biology is everywhere. Biology is a rapidly evolving science, where advancements in technology are facilitating scientists in their understanding of the relationship between humans and the planet we live on; where AI is predicting protein shape and function and where biotechnology and engineering are at the heart of treatment of disease. The OCR A Level course has been designed to reflect these developments and to provide a sound foundation for further studies in Biology and related disciplines. This course is designed to develop essential knowledge and understanding of a broad range of subject areas and how they relate to each other.

It will help develop confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem-solving skills, whilst promoting the understanding of scientific methods. By the end of the course, students will have a better understanding of how we make decisions about scientific issues and how the study of Biology can contribute to the success of both the economy and society. Essentially, students should be enthusiastic scientists and competent with both mathematical ability and good written English. They will need to have achieved a 7 in GCSE Biology or 7-7 in Double Award Science and preferably the equivalent grades in both Mathematics and English Language.

Find out more about our Biology A Level, including course content and assessment, here: 6th Form Subject Options Brochure.

 

At the Oratory School we are passionate about Chemistry. Our teachers, who are highly qualified practitioners with a wealth of experience in both academia and industry, encourage interest in the subject by adopting a ‘hands-on’ approach to learning and offering a practical-rich curriculum. We aim to make pupils aware of the effect Chemistry has on the world around us. All age groups attend lectures, practical sessions and presentations in order to make Chemistry accessible to all and to complement the GCSE and A Level specifications that are studied. Pupils are actively involved in the learning process and all classes encounter lab work of varying complexity as they develop mathematical, problem-solving, analysis and evaluation skills alongside the chemical content invaluable to their everyday lives.

All pupils study Chemistry to GCSE level.

 

GCSE

Courses offered:

 

• AQA KS3 Science [Chemistry Component]
• AQA GCSE Trilogy [Chemistry Component]
• AQA GCSE Chemistry
• A LEVEL Chemistry [OCR Chemistry A]

 

Find out more about our Chemistry GCSE, including course content and assessment, here: GCSE Subject Options Brochure.

 

A Level

Chemistry is all around you. From the fibres that wick away moisture in your clothing to the purified water in your bottle, chemistry can be found in nearly every part of our modern life. It is considered to be the central science because it links the other science-based subjects and concerns all aspects of everyday life – the food we eat, the sports equipment that we use, the medicine we take. While there are many reasons to study this fascinating subject, numerous transferable skills are developed within the A Level Chemistry curriculum that are of use in many fields of study. Consequently, Chemistry is particularly favoured by university admissions tutors for non-scientific subjects, who often consider it to be a good indication of an applicant’s wider ability and intellect.

Particularly good combinations of subjects with Chemistry at A Level are Biology, Economics, Geography, Mathematics and Physics. If you are concentrating on Humanities or Languages and wish to broaden your studies Chemistry is an excellent option. The ideal chemist is mathematically confident with a good grasp of English and will have achieved at least a 7 in GCSE Chemistry or 7-7 in Double Award Science.

Find out more about our Chemistry A Level, including course content and assessment, here: 6th Form Subject Options Brochure.

 

The most fundamental of the sciences: from the smallest constituents of the atom to the largest structures in the universe, Physics has something to say about it all. Not just a collection of theories and facts but a way of thinking about the world, Physics enables pupils to develop many higher-order skills through experiments, demonstrations and open-ended discussions. At the Oratory School, Physics is taught by specialist teachers who love their subject and aim to encourage curiosity and enthusiasm in their pupils; simultaneously ensuring that they are taught to a rigorously high standard to allow them to pursue the highest level of qualifications should they wish to do so. There is a spirit of enthusiasm and fun within the department; we really do enjoy teaching Physics and aim to share this enthusiasm and passion with the pupils.

All pupils study Physics to GCSE level.

 

GCSE

Courses offered:

• AQA KS3 Science [Physics Component]
• AQA GCSE Trilogy [Physics Component]
• AQA GCSE Physics
• A LEVEL Physics [AQA]

Find out more about our Physics GCSE, including course content and assessment, here: GCSE Subject Options Brochure.

 

A Level

A Level Physics not only expands on the topics covered at GCSE but goes on to look at some of the most fascinating and challenging aspects of this subject, including Particle Physics, Quantum Phenomena and Turning Points, a topic referring to all theories that have changed Physics across the centuries.   Potential students will need to have achieved a 7 in GCSE Physics or 7-7 in Double Award Science and should be confident in using Mathematics, a 7 is recommended at GCSE.

Practical work is at the heart of the subject and now features heavily within the A Level curriculum; students will have to keep a practical lab book and will be assessed on their investigative skills in a written exam.   The course content is split into three sections, taught across the two years of the course. Students in the Upper 6th Form also do an optional topic; the school believes that the historical study of some of the key discoveries in this subject is the most suitable as this offers students a deeper understanding of how science works.

Find out more about our Physics A Level, including course content and assessment, here: 6th Form Subject Options Brochure.

 

In the Science Department, learning does not stop when pupils leave the classroom, and we provide a multitude of extra activities for interested pupils to get involved with. We believe that it is vital that pupil enthusiasm be fuelled, and that some of the best learning happens outside of the classroom when pupils are passionate about the subjects they are studying.

In addition to subject-specific activities and events, the department facilitates an ever-evolving programme of activities designed to inspire and enthuse. Recent examples of these include:

• Minecraft STEM Club: developing understanding of science-based ideas and concepts through modelling and building
• 6th Form Science Journal Club: provides opportunities for scientists at all levels to develop critical reading skills by evaluating scientific literature and thereby improving their scientific literacy, introducing them to new concepts and techniques, and, most importantly, improving confidence and communication skills.
• Local trips: Science Museum, Royal Institution, GCSE Science Live
• International trips: 2021 - Iceland [Biology & Geography collaboration]
• Eggucation: rare breed chicken conservation – hosting a brood of eggs and live-streaming the chicks hatching
• Guest Speakers: 2021 – Dr Jess Wade [Imperial College London] a post-doctoral researcher working with on chiral organic light-emitting diodes, she also works tirelessly to engage with the public, champion women in STEM and tackle the gender bias on Wikipedia.
• All 6th Form scientists and psychologists attended the 2021 UNESCO virtual conference celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science: “Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19"

Biology

Our inaugural biological drawing competition attracted many entries from our talented biologists and artists alike, and this will become an annual event in the Science calendar. 6th Form pupils take part in a field work exercise at Studland Bay to carry out an in-depth profile of the sand dunes. The 1st and 2nd Forms have a visit from an animal encounter experience or a trip out to Beale Park. 4th Form biologists and geographers visit Studland Bay to carry out fieldwork, allowing pupils to put into practice the theory of sampling techniques, and to collect and analyse real data relating to sand dune succession. Biology workshops, such as modelling whole body dissection, and talks feature heavily in our British Science Week celebrations.

 

Chemistry

Chemistry-based activities have included workshops, such as Spectroscopy in a Suitcase, laboratory days at the University of Oxford or University of Reading, and the opportunity to develop problem-solving skills by taking part in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge and the RSC Chemistry Olympiad. We like to get involved in practical laboratory-based events, such as the RSC Schools Analyst competition for lower 6th pupils, and for budding chemists lower down the school we attend Salter’s Festival of Chemistry and the RSC Top of the Bench competition.

 

Physics

Physics-based activities have included astronomy workshops; the Bloodhound engineering project; trips to the Big Bang Fair, McLaren and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory; building and design projects [previous 6th Form pupils built a functioning Ruben’s Tube] and 6th Form physicists compete in the Physics Olympiad.