Click below to jump to the course information:

S1/S2 Science

This is a two-year course based on the National 5-14 Environmental Studies syllabus.

S1 Course

In S1, pupils are introduced to ‘Scientific Investigations’. Up to the October break, they carry out various activities and experiments to develop process skills such as : planning, carrying out experiments, reviewing and reporting on tasks.

For the remainder of S1, pupils study three integrated topics, each involving Physics, Chemistry and Biology :

Air
Energy
Building Blocks

Pupils will be involved in a variety of activities including investigations, book/library/internet research etc.

S2 Course

In S2, pupils will study three specialist units:

Physics: Energy and Electricity
Chemistry: Elements
Biology: Staying Alive

Throughout the two-year course, pupils will be carrying out ‘CASE’ activities.
These are designed to help pupils improve their scientific thinking and their ability to solve problems.

Homework

There are two formal homeworks per topic plus regular revision for tests. Pupils are also encouraged to take an interest in relevant TV programmes and news events.

Assessment

At the end of each topic there is a formal written assessment which provides information with respect to knowledge and various process skills attained at Levels D, E and F.

Further information re process skills is gleaned through the completion of Investigation Booklets, in which pupils write up experiments.

Back to top

Standard Grade Chemistry

Course Content

As well as developing Knowledge & Understanding, opportunities are given to develop skills in the following areas: Selecting Information, Presenting Information, Selecting Practical Procedures, Drawing Conclusions & Giving Explanations and Making Predictions/ Generalisations

Teaching Methods

A variety of approaches are used as appropriate.

Most of the time, pupils will work in small groups using worksheets and directions given by the teacher. Worksheets alternate between a Core sheet – mainly Practical and the same for all pupils - and Extension Sheets at General or Credit level – dealing mainly with the Theory.

At other times, resources such as commercial CD’s are used. Stand alone booklets and Teacher Led lessons are used for more demanding ideas such as Calculations or Ionic & Covalent Bonding.

These methods usually make it possible for abler pupils to progress faster and be given extra opportunities to extend themselves beyond the ‘normal course’. At the same time, the teacher is often free to devote more time to less able pupils.

Pupils will make notes in a rough jotter as they work through these sheets, but are provided with a booklet of fill-in sheets, to ensure that all pupils have a set of good notes to revise from.

Assessment

Progress - Most Topics will be tested by an end of Topic Test and feedback provided through Report Cards/Parents' Nights.

In addition, an S3 exam is sat at the end of S3 and a Prelim during December in S4.

Final – Knowledge and Problem Solving are tested by a National Exam and each Grade contributes 2/5 each towards an overall Grade.

An Internally assessed Practical contributes 1/5 to the overall Grade. 5 Techniques and 2 Investigations provide a maximum of 120 marks and a practical grade from 7 to 1 is awarded depending on the total mark achieved.

Homework

There is a homework written for each pair of worksheets completed (Core + Extension).
This should result in one reasonably big homework every two weeks.

These homeworks are designed to reinforce the work done in class, and, in particular, to encourage pupils to look back through their notes.

Further information: see G Watson, or display outside Room 28

Back to top

Intermediate 2 Chemistry

Entrance Requirements

Intermediate 2 is intended for those pupils who have achieved a reasonable level at Standard Grade (Grade 3 or 4) or those who have been studying one of the other Sciences and achieved a Grade 1 or 2.

Course Content

As well as developing Knowledge & Understanding, opportunities are given to develop skills in the following areas: Problem Solving, Calculations & Practical Skills

Teaching Methods

The course is highly structured and close adherence to a time-line issued at the start of the course is essential, though it does, in fact, make it easier to cope with ‘absences’, both planned and unplanned.

Most of the time, pupils will work in small groups using worksheets and directions given by the teacher. They will be encouraged to work at a steady pace and to use study periods and home study to help finish each section on time.

Most of the time pupils will make their own notes as they work through these sheets, but will also be provided with a booklet of fill-in sheets, to help ensure that all pupils have a set of good notes to revise from.

Assessment

Progress – Each Unit is split into 4 Sections lasting about 2 to 3 weeks. Each Section is further split into 7 Lessons. Each Lesson has a quick check test which is attempted and marked immediately on completion of the lesson. There is also a homework for each lesson which should be attempted ‘that night’. At the end of each Section, consolidation sheets help test that the work of the Section has been understood before the pupil sits a formal Section Test.

At about the same time as the formal SQA Unit test is sat, pupils will be given the opportunity to attempt an additional (A/B) test which will provide feedback on their ability to cope with the harder questions likely to be met in the final exam. These tests along with a prelim will be used to help arrive at estimate grades.

SQA – At the end of each Unit a national test (NAB) lasting 45 minutes must be sat and passed (60%). In addition, at least one practical test (PPA) must have been undertaken and written up to the required standard.

The Final Exam will last 2½ hours and will determine the final grade awarded.

Further information from G Watson or A Wise

Back to top

Higher Chemistry

Entrance Requirements

Higher is intended for those pupils who have achieved a high level at Standard Grade (Grade 1 or 2) or who have done well at Intermediate 2 (A pass preferably).

In addition, the large number of calculations met in Higher (25% of final exam) make it essential that pupils have achieved a similar level in Mathematics.

Course Content

As well as developing Knowledge & Understanding, opportunities are given to develop skills in the following areas: Problem Solving, Calculations & Practical Skills

Teaching Methods

The course is highly structured and close adherence to a time-line issued at the start of the course is essential, though it does, in fact, make it easier to cope with ‘absences’, both planned and unplanned.

Most of the time, pupils will work in small groups using worksheets and directions given by the teacher.
They will be encouraged to work at a steady pace and to use study periods and home study to help finish each Section on time.

Pupils will make notes in a rough jotter as they work through these sheets, but are provided with a booklet of fill-in sheets, to ensure that all pupils have a set of good notes to revise from.

Assessment

Progress – Each Unit is split into 4 Sections lasting about 2 to 3 weeks. Each Section is further split into 7 Lessons. Each Lesson has a quick check test which is attempted and marked immediately on completion of the lesson. There is also a homework for each lesson which should be attempted ‘that night’. At the end of each Section, consolidation sheets help test that the work of the Section has been understood before the pupil sits a formal Section Test.

At about the same time as the formal SQA Unit test is sat, pupils will be given the opportunity to attempt an additional (A/B) test which will provide feedback on their ability to cope with the harder questions likely to be met in the final exam. These tests along with a prelim will be used to help arrive at estimate grades.

SQA – At the end of each Unit a national test (NAB) lasting 45 minutes must be sat and passed (60%). In addition, at least one practical test (PPA) must have been undertaken and written up to the required standard.

The Final Exam will last 2½ hours and will determine the final grade awarded.

Further information: G Watson, or see display inside Room 28.

Back to top

Advanced Higher Chemistry

Entrance Requirements

Higher is intended for those pupils who have achieved a pass at Higher Grade (A to C)

Course Content

As well as developing Knowledge & Understanding, opportunities are given to develop skills in the following areas: Critical Thinking, Planning & Organising, Reviewing & Planning, Using Graphical Information and Practical Abilities.

Teaching Methods

A variety of approaches are available depending on the resources available, but generally speaking most of the teaching is done in a more lecture/tutorial style

Lecture notes and Tutorial Questions are available for most Topics. Homework will normally be reading/researching in preparation for lectures or finishing off Tutorial questions.

In addition, we are making good use of on-line materials supplied by Heriot-Watt University – the Scholar Project – and this may increase further over the next few years.

Assessment

Progress – A number of Topic Tests will be used where available. The Scholar materials also include on-line tests.

A prelim will be used to provide estimate grades. In addition, 12 set practicals must be attempted and at least three, one from each Unit, must be formally written up to the required standard. It is the intention, in KHS, to require all 12 to be written up, as this is excellent preparation for the demands of University Labwork.

SQA – At the end of each Unit a national test (NAB) lasting 45 minutes must be sat and passed (60%).

An Investigation lasting about 4 – 5 weeks must be undertaken and a formal report of about 2000 words produced. A total of 30 marks are available; some of these will be decided by the class teacher, but most will be allocated by an external moderator who will also visit the school to give an Oral exam.

The Final Exam will last 2½ hours and will contribute a further 100 marks towards the final grade awarded.

Further information from G Watson or any members of present S6 class.

Back to top