Curriculum
SCIENCE
Our aim in Science is to enable pupils to understand, enjoy and marvel at the natural world, through enquiry-based lessons that challenge their thinking. We aim to encourage our pupils to be curious about the world around them and to develop a positive and practical approach to scientific learning. We build understanding of the ‘Big Ideas’ in science that are relevant to pupils’ lives during and beyond school. We achieve this through a wide and varied curriculum in which pupils are regularly challenged and reviewed.
At Key Stage 4, pupils will undertake one of two routes: studying either Combined Science, or Separate/Individual Sciences. Combined Science leads to the award of two GCSEs, whereas Separate Sciences leads to the award of three GCSEs. Regardless of the route they are assigned to, all pupils will study key aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Curriculum Overview
| Year 7 (KS3) | Year 8 (KS3) | Year 9 (KS3) |
|---|---|---|
|
Biology Cells, Tissues, Organs and Organ Systems
Food and Nutrition
Reproduction
Muscles & Bones
Ecosystems
Chemistry The Particle Model
Mixtures and Separation
Acids and Alkalis
Atoms, Elements & Compounds
The Periodic Table
Combustion
Physics Energy
Current Electricity
Forces
Sound
|
Biology Plants and reproduction–
Breathing and respiration
Unicellular organisms
Genetics and evolution
Plant Growth
Chemistry Metals and their uses
Rocks
Making materials
Reactivity
Physics Fluids
Light
Energy Transfer
Forces and motion
Force fields and Electromagnets
|
Biology Key Concepts in Biology
Cells and Control
Genetics
Natural Selection and Genetic Modification
Chemistry States of Matter
Atomic Structure
The Periodic Table
Ionic and Covalent Bonding
Types of Substances
Physics Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Motion
Forces and Motion
|
| Year 10 (KS4) | Year 11 (KS4) |
|---|---|
|
Biology Natural Selection & GM
Health, Disease and the development of Medicines
Plant structures
Animal Coordination
Ecosystems and Material Cycles
Chemistry Electrolytic processes and obtaining and using metals & Dynamic equilibria
Acids and Alkalis
Obtaining and using metals and Dynamic reactivity
Physics Conservation of Energy
Energy
Radioactivity
Electricity & Circuits
Magnetism and the Motor Effect and electromagnetic Induction
|
Biology Exchange and Transport in Animals
Chemistry Groups in the PT, Rates of reaction and Heat Energy Changes in Chemical reactions
Quantitative Analysis, Dynamic Equilibria and Calculations of gases
Hydrocarbons, Alcohol and Carboxyl
Bulk and Surface Properties of Matter including Nanoparticles
Physics Electricity and Circuits and Static Electricity
Magnetism and the Motor Effect and Electromagnetic induction
Particle Model, Forces and Matter
|
Assessment
At Key Stage 3, assessments take place at the end of each term. At Key Stage 4, end of Yr10 mock exams take place in June/July and Yr11 mock exams take place in November.
KS4 Exam Board Specification (Combined Science): EdExcel Combined Science (1SC0)
KS4 Exam Board Specification (Biology): EdExcel Biology (Separate Sciences) (1BI0)
KS4 Exam Board Specification (Chemistry): EdExcel Chemistry (Separate Sciences) (1CH0)
KS4 Exam Board Specification (Physics): EdExcel Physics (Separate Sciences) (1PH0)
Enrichment Offer
The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the Academy in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.