Science

Biology, Chemistry and Physics

A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science is highly topical, dynamic and continually advancing. It has important benefits in biology to health and well-being of individuals and the nation, or in physics in dealing with profound questions about the nature of the universe. Science allows us to appreciate the complexity of life and our impact on the planet and deals with some of the most important practical, environmental and technological issues of our time.

Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils will be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena, and an appreciation of the relevance of science to their everyday lives. They will be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. They will be helped to appreciate the achievements of science in showing how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a number of key ideas relating to the sciences which are inter-linked, and which are of universal application.

For all pupils science will provide the foundations for understanding the natural world. It will enhance their lives in an increasingly changing, technological society.

For some pupils, studying the sciences will provide a platform for more advanced studies, establishing the basis for a wide range of careers.